bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuentes proteínicas no tradicionales y su efecto sobre el crecimiento y supervivencia, durante la masculinización del pez Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Perciformes: Cichlidae)
Authors: Cuenca-Soria Carlos A. , Navarro Angulo Leonardo I. , Castillo-Domínguez Alfonso , Melgar Valdes Carolina E. , Pérez-Palafox Xchel A. , Ortiz-Hernández Mateo
Published: March 2017

En el sureste de México, la acuicultura se ha visto seriamente afectada por los altos costos de los alimentos comerciales. Como parte de la búsqueda de alimentos no tradicionales, probamos el pez de agua dulce Astyanax aeneus y el caracol Pomacea flagellata como posibles fuentes de proteínas para Cichlasoma urophthalmus. Aplicamos la hormona androgénica fluoximesterona durante 45 días. Un kilogramo de dieta experimental (P. flagellate/A. aeneus) y uno de los alimentos comerciales se rociaron con la solución de fluoximesterona/etanol absoluto, en 5 mg/L/tasa kg (hormona/alcohol/alimento). La dieta experimental y el alimento comercial (THA y SHC, respectivamente) fueron probados en crías de C. urophthalmus, sincrónicamente con sus grupos de control (TA y SC, respectivamente), por triplicado. THA produjo el mayor crecimiento específico y la media final peso (p<0,05). No hubo diferencias en la proporción de sexos (p>0,05), teniendo en cuenta que la dosis utilizada no fue relevante.
Relación del valor de urea en leche con parámetros reproductivos y productivos en vacas Holstein, Jersey y sus cruces
Authors: Gonzáles Blanco Jose Pablo , Rodolfo WingChing-Jones Rodolfo
Published: March 2017

: Determinamos la concentración de nitrógeno ureico en leche (NUL) de 554 vacas Holstein, 474 vacas Jersey y 454 vacas cruzadas y se relacionan con los días de lactancia, la producción de leche diaria, días abiertos y el intervalo entre partos. Una muestra de leche de 100 ml la analizamos con un un kit a base de la enzima ureasa. La raza Jersey superó a la Holstein en 2,49 y 3,82 a los cruces HxJ en mg / dl. Las diferencias en el contenido NUL se determinaron en los días de la producción de leche. Los animales con una producción diaria inferior a 40 litros de leche tenían un NUL 1,84 mg / dl más bajo que los animales con la producción de más de 40 litros (18,17 mg / dl). El valor NUL no varió de acuerdo a los días abiertos, sin embargo, los animales con más de 360 días de intervalo entre partos mostraron un promedio NUL de 16,91 mg / dl, lo que supera en 1 mg / dl a los animales que presentan valores por debajo de 360 días intervalo entre partos. Las vacas Holstein y Jersey son más propensas a tener unvalor de NUL mayor que los cruces HxJ. Es necesario aumentar el análisis de datos de los sistemas de producción con diferentes métodos de manejo y alimentación, para generar una herramienta de diagnóstico que se pueda aplicar en los sistemas de producción de leche en Costa Rica.
Redescubrimiento de Tayassu pecari (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) en el Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Caño Negro, Costa Rica
Authors: Guerrero Ortiz Sol , Francisco José Morazán Fernández Francisco José
Published: March 2017

El chancho de monte (Tayassu pecari), es una especie Neotropical de amplia distribución que se encuentra desde el norte de Argentina hasta el sur de México. De acuerdo con la UICN, esta especie se considera en estado vulnerable en todo su rango de distribución. En Costa Rica su distribución ha disminuido en 89% y se encuentra restringida a pocas áreas protegidas, lo que la coloca en la lista de especies en peligro de extinción. En este documento presentamos los detalles de los primeros registros de la presencia de chancho de monte dentro del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Caño Negro, donde anteriormente se consideraba localmente extinto. En el 2013, realizamos 52 entrevistas a profundidad en diversas comunidades cercanas al refugio. Entre septiembre y diciembre del 2015, colocamos ocho cámaras trampa en fincas aledañas o dentro del refugio. En diez de las entrevistas realizadas, los pobladores informaron sobre la existencia de una población pequeña de estos animales. La mayoría creen que se encuentran en un sector alejado y elevado del refugio conocido como “Terrón”. De las ocho cámaras utilizadas, dos de ellas se colocaron en fincas correspondientes a dicho sector. En una de estas cámaras se registró una manada de chachos de monte de al menos ocho individuos, compuesta tanto por adultos como juveniles. El conocimiento ecológico local sirve como complemento del conocimiento técnico y como guía para planificar y focalizar esfuerzos durante el desarrollo de investigaciones ecológicas, como en el caso del presente trabajo. Confirmar la presencia del chancho de monte es un hallazgo que puede servir para aumentar las medidas de conservación que se aplican en el refugio.
Uso de Azospirrillum spp. como biofertilizante en la producción de estrella africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis)
Authors: WingChing-Jones Rodolfo , Uribe Lorío Lidieth , Castro Barquero Leida
Published: March 2017

El pasto estrella africana es importante en algunas regiones tropicales y puede ser beneficioso el uso de Azospirillum como biofertilizante. Probamos tres cepas de Azospirrilum en Turrialba, Costa Rica, entre el 2011 y 2013. Utilizamos una dosis única de 5 litros por hectárea para las tres cepas (108 UFC.ml-1) y la mezcla de las tres cepas en partes iguales y las comparamos con una dosis de 10 t/ha de vermicompost y la fertilización química (78 kg/N/ha). En la segunda prueba evaluamos Azospirillum por su potencial para sustituir el fertilizante químico en proporciones de 0, 25, 50 y 75% una dosis de 5 L / ha (108 UFC.ml-1) utilizamos para todos los tratamientos y en comparación con la dosis de 100% de los fertilizantes químicos. Dos de las cepas y tres de las mezclas produjo biomasa forrajera similar (3,65 a 3,93 t / ha) como el fertilizante químico (4,12 t / ha). La fertilización con humus de lombriz fue menor (3,56 t / ha). Una disminución de las lluvias 2012-2013 redujo la biomasa del forraje 25% cuando se aplicó fertilización química (4,07 vs 3,08 t / ha). En el segundo experimento, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en los rendimientos de biomasa para todos los tratamientos con Azospirillum o fertilizantes químicos (2,97 vs 3,08 t / ha). Azospirillum tiene potencial para mantener la productividad del pasto estrella africana bajo un sistema de pastoreo, pero se requiere más investigación para definir el número de aplicaciones por año para mantener un efecto constante.
Factors influencing no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-segment myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Djenic Nemanja , Dzudovic Boris , Romanovic Radoslav , Ratkovic Nenad , Jovic Zoran , Djukic Bosko , Spasic Marijan , Stojkovic Sinisa , Obradovic Slobodan
Published: March 2017

Background/Aim. It is not know which factors influence no-reflow phenomenon after successful primary percutaneous intervention (pPCI) in patients with myocardial infarction with ST elevation (STEMI). The aim of this study was to estimate predictive value of some admission characteristics of patients with STEMI, who underwent pPCI, for the development of no-reflow phenomenon. Worse clinical outcome in patients with no-reflow points to importance of selection and aggressive treatment in a group at high risk. Methods. This was retrospective and partly prospective study which included 491 consecutive patients with STEMI, admitted to a single centre, during the period from 2000 to September 2015, who underwent pPCI. Descriptive characteristics of the patients, presence of classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease, total ischemic time and clinical features at admission were all estimated as predictors for the development of no-reflow phenomenon. No-reflow phenomenon is defined as the presence of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) < 3 coronary flow at the end of the pPCI procedure, or ST-segment resolution by less than 50% in the first hours after the procedure. The significance of the predictive value of some parameters was evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. In univariate analysis, we used the ?2 test and Mann Whitney and Student's t-tests. Results. No-reflow phenomenon was detected in 84 (17.1%) patients (criteria used: TIMI < 3 coronary flow) and in 144 (29.3%) patients (criteria used: STsement resolution < 50%). Patients older than 75 years [odds ratio (OR) = 2.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48? 4.33; p = 0.001] and those who had Killip class at admission higher than 1 had increased risk to achieve TIMI-3 flow after pPCI. Killip class higher than 1 (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.23? 2.04; p < 0.001), left anterior descendent artery (LAD) as infarct related artery (IRA) and total ischemic time higher than 4 hour were associated with increased risk to failure of rapid ST segment resolution after pPCI. Conclusion. Older age and Killip class were main predictors of TIMI < 3 flow, and Killip class, LAD as IRA and longer total ischemic time were predictors for the failure of rapid ST segment resolution after pPCI.
Intestinal parasitosis in asylum seekers from Middle East and South Asia
Authors: Relic Tijana , Kacarevic Hranislav , Ilic Nevenka , Jovanovic Dara , Tambur Zoran , Doder Radoje , Lazarevic Ivana
Published: March 2017

Background/Aim. It is estimated that about 230 million refugees and asylum seekers circulates worldwide. Parasitosis are diagnosed in recent years with increasing frequency both in Europe and other developed countries. International migration of population, as an inalienable part and a result of the process of globalization, has an increasing impact on health of the population of countries through which migrants pass or settle. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of intestinal parasitic diseases in asylum seekers on the territory of Belgrade. Methods. The study group included 97 asylum seekers from the Centre for Asylum seekers in Obrenovac, in the period December 2013? January 2014. Stool samples were taken less than seven days after arriving to the Center and sent to the Laboratory for Parasitological Diagnosis of the Public Health Institute of Belgrade. Detection of parasites in stool samples was performed by a direct native slide made of fresh sample and direct slide made after stool concentration applying "Mini Parasep" technique. Statistical analysis included application of ?2-test of matching and ?2-test of independence. Results. The study showed that the parasites were detected in 9.3% of cases, in the group of 15?24 years of age. Protozoa were found in 6.2% and helminthes in 3.1% of the samples. Conclusion. Most intestinal parasitosis were found in asylum seekers from Bangladesh. All parasitosis were found in males and the most frequently detected parasite was Giardia lamblia.
Factors associated with maintenance of human Q fever in Vojvodina, Serbia
Authors: Ristic Mioljub , Strbac Mirjana , Savic Sara , Dragovac Gorana , Ilic Svetlana , Medic Snezana , Vidic Branka , Petrovic Vladimir
Published: March 2017

Background/Aim. Q fever occurs worldwide and can be found in humans as well as in domestic mammals. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of Q fever and evaluate correlation between the Q fever occurrence and weather conditions. Methods. We conducted a descriptive epidemiological study using data of the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad, and the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, from 2006 to 2015. Results. Out of 272 human Q fever cases, 114 (41.9%) patients were aged between 20 and 39 years. Between January and May, a total of 193 (71.0%) cases of disease were registered. In the Central Banat and South Banat, a strong positive correlation between an increase in Q fever detection and an increase of average wind speed (?= 0.69719 and ?=0.62303, respectively) was observed, while a strong negative correlation was determined between the average rainfall with the number of Q fever cases in the Central Banat, the South Banat and Srem district (? = -0.78033, ? = -0.70675 and ? = -0.70431, respectively). During a 10-year period, a strong positive correlation was found between the human Q fever cases compared to the number of cattle and sheep Q cases in the Srem district (r = 0.7989 and r = 0.7966, respectively). Direct contact with domestic animals was the most frequent route of Q fever transmission in Vojvodina. Conclusion. The timely sharing of information between the animal and human health sectors as well as between neighbouring countries is crucial for an appropriate and an early outbreak response, especially during windy and dry months of the year. Additionally, it is essential that people who are exposed to a risk of infection must be permanently educated about reducing the risk of transmission of infection.
Mast Cells Promote Seasonal White Adipose Beiging in Humans
Authors: Finlin Brian S. , Zhu Beibei , Confides Amy L. , Westgate Philip M. , Harfmann Brianna D. , Dupont-Versteegden Esther E. , Kern Philip A.
Published: March 2017

Human subcutaneous (SC) white adipose tissue (WAT) increases the expression of beige adipocyte genes in the winter. Studies in rodents suggest that a number of immune mediators are important in the beiging response. We studied the seasonal beiging response in SC WAT from lean humans. We measured the gene expression of various immune cell markers and performed multivariate analysis of the gene expression data to identify genes that predict UCP1. Interleukin (IL)-4 and, unexpectedly, the mast cell marker CPA3 predicted UCP1 gene expression. Therefore, we investigated the effects of mast cells on UCP1 induction by adipocytes. TIB64 mast cells responded to cold by releasing histamine and IL-4, and this medium stimulated UCP1 expression and lipolysis by 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Pharmacological block of mast cell degranulation potently inhibited histamine release by mast cells and inhibited adipocyte UCP1 mRNA induction by conditioned medium (CM). Consistently, the histamine receptor antagonist chlorpheniramine potently inhibited adipocyte UCP1 mRNA induction by mast cell CM. Together, these data show that mast cells sense colder temperatures, release factors that promote UCP1 expression, and are an important immune cell type in the beiging response of WAT.
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE TEACHER’S TECHNIQUE ON CONTROLLING THE STUDENTS’ MISBEHAVIOR IN SMPN 1 SUKASADA
Authors: Pita Yul Fulgensia Rusman
Published: March 2017

This research aimed at analyzing the English teacher’s technique on controlling students’ misbehavior in the classroom. The focus of this research is related with the most frequent misbehavior conducted by the students of class VII G and VII H in SMPN 1 Sukasada, the English teacher technique on controlling students’ misbehavior, and the students’ responses toward English teacher’s technique during teaching and learning process. This research applied descriptive qualitative study. The writer analyzed the English teacher technique on controlling students’ misbehavior in the classroom through observation, video recording, note taking, and interview guidance. The result of the study showed that the most frequent misbehavior conducted by the students were disruption and needless talk. The English teacher at SMPN 1 Sukasada used reprimands and pre-empting misbehavior and the students’ responses was good enough. In the last meeting, the students reduce their misbehaviours.
Implementación de circuitos eléctricos para facilitar el aprendizaje de sistemas algebraicos lineales
Authors: González Hernández José Genaro
Published: March 2017

La enseñanza de los sistemas algebraicos lineales, así como sus técnicas de solución, constituyen un eslabón importante en el desarrollo profesional de los alumnos de ingeniería y áreas afines, sin embargo, la asimilación de conceptos se ve afectada por la falta de vinculación entre la teoría y la práctica, de modo que gran parte de los estudiantes muestran con frecuencia poco interés en la explicación de los temas y esto da como resultado un bajo desempeño académico. Este trabajo presenta una propuesta de enseñanza de sistemas algebraicos lineales, en donde se verifican los resultados a través de simulación electrónica e implementación física de circuitos eléctricos para estudiantes de ingeniería.
Control Rate of Diabetic and Hypertensive Adult Patients in Association with Demographic and Healthy Behaviour Factors in Garmian- Kurdistan Region
Authors: Karim Muaf Abdulla , Shakor Jamal Kareem , Ahmed Bootan Hasan , Qadir Dlzar Omer , Qader Saleem Saaed
Published: March 2017

Hypertension   and   diabetes   mellitus   (DM)   are the      two       major      inter-correlated      risk       factors      of cardiovascular   diseases,    which    considered    as    the    major causes  of  morbidity  and  mortality.  This  study  is  set  up  to determine   control   rate,   and   the   social   demographic   and health   related   behaviours   risk   factors   in   association   with control   rate   in   hypertensive   and/or   diabetes   patients   who are  under  treatment.  Cross  sectional  study  was  carried  out in  this  study.  Data  have  been  collected  by  well-trained paramedics through direct interviews using structured questionnaire     with     the     participants.     A     conventional sampling  which  is  one  of  the  main  types  of  non-probability method  was  used  for  collecting  data.  SPSS  version  16  was used   for   analysing   data.   338   patients   were   recruited   into the   study,   150(44.1%)   of   participants   with   hypertension,88(25.9%) with diabetes and the rest 100(29.4%) with both diseases.   Patients   who   diagnosed   with   hypertension   weremore  under  control  83  (55.3%)  in  comparison  with  diabetic23(26.1%)   and   patients   who   were   diagnosed   both conditions 18(18.0%). High control rate was observed in hypertension  patients  compared  to  diabetes  and  those diagnosed   both   conditions.   Cor   morbidity   was   the   main cause of uncontrolled rate.
Design of Low Profile Multiband USB Dongle Antenna
Authors: Azeez Hemin Ismael , Ahmed Shorsh Kareem , Husain Mohamed Abdullah
Published: March 2017

A dual band F-shaped printed mono-pole antenna (USB dongle) with two meandered strips is proposed and tested. The two strips that resonating at 2.45 GHz and 5.2 GHz have uniform and fixed width of 0.5 mm. A thin layer of 0.8 mm thickness FR4 substrate (permittivity =4.4, loss tangent=0.0245) which is economically cheap is used for the unit fabrication.  The two resonant modes will best support Bluetooth (BT) and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) having enough supportive bandwidth which is defined by -10dB reflection coefficient. The proposed unit is low profile, compact and simple to fabricate. The whole unit that has an overall size of (0.8mm x 10 mm x 40 mm) is efficient for having 97% and 94 % total radiation efficiency at both operating frequencies respectively. Through applying different simulation scenarios to the unit such as varying the feeding location and changes in the strips length, it has been revealed that the antennas is sensitive and reactive. The proposed antenna has provided good performance and Omni-directional radiation pattern. Good matching between the simulated and measured reflection coefficient results for the antenna prototype has been achieved.
El imperio de la mirada: “Ptosis” de Guadalupe Nettel
Authors: Vázquez Jazmín G. Tapia
Published: March 2017

En este artículo me propongo demostrar cómo la implicación del cuerpo enfermo proyecta uno de los principios artísticos que rigen la escritura de Guadalupe Nettel: el revelamiento de la anormalidad como una categoría estética. Para efecto de mi análisis, me centraré en el cuento “Ptosis” porque considero que la búsqueda del narrador y las reflexiones que subyacen en el texto sobre la fotografía perfilan la sensibilidad artística de la autora.
Embates del humor en Grey de Alberto Chimal
Authors: Arriaga Elsa López
Published: March 2017

Este trabajo presenta un estudio de la ironía como elemento articulador del discurso narrativo en Grey (2006) de Alberto Chimal, a través del acercamiento a distintos mecanismos operantes como la burla, el contraste, la ambivalencia y la antífrasis para mostrar críticamente las debilidades, contradicciones o inconsistencias de las diversas estructuras religiosas, y para orientar la reflexión hacia las múltiples manifestaciones de la fe, a veces contrapunteadas con la naturaleza humana.
Areúsa: de Fernando de Rojas a Angelina Muñiz-Huberman
Authors: François Jéromine
Published: March 2017

La novela Areúsa en los conciertos (2002) de Angelina Muñiz-Huberman se construye a partir de una red de guiños intertextuales a La Celestina, obra clásica del panteón literario español. Este estudio examina la relevancia y las funciones de estos juegos intertextuales en el texto mexicano. Por una parte, las referencias celestinescas inician una crisis global de la protagonista epónima, que llega a cuestionar su identidad y su marco espacio-temporal. Esta problematización se interpreta en el marco de la poética del exilio de Angelina Muñiz. Por otra parte, con el fin de sobrepasar su estado de crisis, la Areúsa mexicana recupera ingredientes de la Areúsa medieval —su erotismo desenfrenado, su inconformidad social— para elaborar una reflexión contemporánea sobre la sexualidad femenina y las normas sociales que la restringen.
Francisco José López Alfonso: Mario Bellatin, el cuadernillo de las cosas difíciles de explicar
Authors: Báder Petra
Published: March 2017

Francisco José López Alfonso: Mario Bellatin, el cuadernillo de las cosas difíciles de explicar. Alicante: Universidad de Alicante, Cuadernos de América sin nombre n o 37, 2015.
Portrait de la compression et de l’expansion de la morbidité au Canada : évolution de l’espérance de vie et de l’espérance de vie ajustée en fonction de la santé, 1994-2010
Authors: Steensma Colin , Loukine Lidia , Choi Bernard
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Notre étude visait à examiner s’il y a eu une expansion ou une compression de la morbidité au Canada, à l’échelle tant nationale que provinciale, en suivantl’évolution de l’espérance de vie (EV) et de l’espérance de vie ajustée en fonction de la santé (EVAS) entre 1994 et 2010. Une « compression », qui correspond à une diminution de la proportion de la vie marquée par des problèmes de santé, survient lorsque l’EVAS augmente plus rapidement que l’EV. Inversement, une « expansion », qui désigne une augmentation de la proportion de la vie marquée par des problèmes de santé, survient lorsque l’EVAS est stable ou augmente plus lentement que l’EV.

Méthodologie

Nous avons estimé l’EV à l’aide des données de Statistique Canada sur la mortalité et sur la population. Nous avons utilisé les données sur la qualité de vie liée à la santé (c.-à-d. morbidité) de l’Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population (1994-1999) et de l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (2000-2010) pour calculer l’EVAS. Nous avons établi des tables de mortalité abrégées pour sept intervalles de temps correspondant aux cycles d’enquête disponibles durant la période de 1994 à 2010, ainsi que pour les deux sexes et les dix provinces canadiennes. Les tendances nationales et provinciales ont été examinées à la naissance, à 20 ans et à 65 ans.

Résultats

Dans l’ensemble, nous avons constaté une hausse annuelle moyenne statistiquement significative de l’EVAS chez les deux sexes aux trois âges évalués, sauf chez les nouveau-nés de sexe féminin. L’EVAS à la naissance a augmenté en moyenne par année, entre 1994 et 2010, de 0,2 % (p = 0,08) chez les sujets de sexe féminin et de 0,3 % (p $lt; 0,001) chez ceux de sexe masculin. À l’échelle nationale, les trois groupes d’âge ont présenté une augmentation annuelle moyenne non statistiquement significative de la proportion de la vie marquée par des problèmes de santé, sauf les hommes de 65 ans, qui ont présenté une diminution non significative. À l’échelle provinciale, nous avons observé une augmentation significative de la proportion de la vie marquée par des problèmes de santé à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador et à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard.

Conclusion

Notre étude n’a fait ressortir aucune tendance générale nette indiquant une compression ou une expansion de la morbidité à l’échelle nationale au Canada entre 1994 et 2010. Nos résultats indiquent qu’il y a eu une expansion de la morbidité à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador et à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. L’étude a mis en évidence l’importance de continuer à suivre les tendances à long terme concernant l’EV et l’EVAS pour vérifier la présence d’une compression ou d’une expansion de la morbidité. D’autres études devraient être entreprises pour éclaircir les causes de l’expansion de la morbidité observée à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador et à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard.
Status report - Identifying equity-focussed interventions to promote healthy weights
Authors: Frankish C. James , Kwan Brenda , Gray Diane , Simpson Andrea , Jetha Nina
Published: March 2017

Introduction

We developed screening criteria to identify population health interventions with an equity focus for inclusion on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Best Practices Portal. We applied them to the area of “healthy weights,” specifically, obesity prevention.

Methods

We conducted a review of the literature and obtained input from expert external reviewers on changes to midstream environments. Interventions had to identify outcomes for groups with an underlying social disadvantage. We included papers with a focus on equity and vulnerable populations, intervention and/or evaluation studies, social determinants of health and healthy weights or obesity prevention. We then appraised the shortlisted studies for quality of evidence to determine eligibility for inclusion as promising practices on the Canadian Best Practices Portal.

Results

Few of the references reviewed passed the equity screening criteria (26 out of 2823 published papers reviewed, or 0.9%). Six (of the 26) interventions qualified as promising practices.

Conclusion

The ability of the equity screening criteria to distinguish midstream-level interventions for obesity prevention suggests that the criteria have potential to be applied to other public health topics. What is most important about our work is that the Portal, which is no longer being updated but is still accessible, was broadened to include interventions with a focus on equity.
Does CEO Emotional Intelligence Affect the Performance of the Company's Research and Development
Authors: Azouzi Mohamed Ali , Ezzi Ferdaws , Jarboui Anis
Published: March 2017

This paper, using qualitative and quantitative data, investigates how behavioral aspects of managers (measured by emotional intelligence) impact performance of innovative companies (measured by high investment in research and development). The results obtained clearly show, for these companies, there is a significant and positive relationship between CEO emotional intelligent and their financial, social and environmental performance.
Na/K-ATPase Signaling and Salt Sensitivity: The Role of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Liu Jiang , Yan Yanling , Nie Ying , Shapiro Joseph
Published: March 2017

Other than genetic regulation of salt sensitivity of blood pressure, many factors have been shown to regulate renal sodium handling which contributes to long-term blood pressure regulation and have been extensively reviewed. Here we present our progress on the Na/K-ATPase signaling mediated sodium reabsorption in renal proximal tubules, from cardiotonic steroids-mediated to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated Na/K-ATPase signaling that contributes to experimental salt sensitivity.
Phenotyping, Genotyping, and Selections within Italian Local Landraces of Romanesco Globe Artichoke
Authors: Crinò Paola , Pagnotta Mario
Published: March 2017

Ten Italian globe artichoke clones belonging to the Romanesco typology were characterized in the western coastal area of Italy (Cerveteri, Rome), using a combination of morphological (UPOV descriptors), biochemical (HPLC analysis), and molecular (AFLP, ISSR, and SSR markers) traits. Significant differences among clones were found for many of the quantitative and qualitative morphological traits. Multivariate analyses (Principal Component Analysis) showed that, of the 47 morphological descriptors assessed, four (i.e., plant height, central flower-head weight, earliness, and total flower-head weight) presented a clear grouping of the clones. Biochemical analyses showed that the clones significantly differed in the polyphenolic profiles of the flower-head, with the suggestion that some of these, such as S2, S3, S5, and S18, are more suitable for the fresh market. The clones, clustered by a UPGMA dendrogram based on 393 polymorphic AFLP and ISSR loci, showed that the clones were genetically separated from each other. This highlights the importance of characterizing, evaluating, and conserving autochthonous germplasm for future plant breeding activities. Overall, these studies resulted in the identification of two new clones, selected on the basis of flower-head morphology and earliness. These clones, named Michelangelo and Raffaello, are registered on the Italian National Register of Varieties (DM n. 6135, 3/29/2013 G.U. 91, 18 April 2013).
Numerical Study of the Magnetic Field Effects on the Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Aspects of a Power Law Fluid over an Axisymmetric Stretching Plate Structure
Authors: Hooshmand Payam , Gatabi Hamed , Bagheri Navid , Pirzadeh Isma’il , Hesabi Ashkan , Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi Mohammad , Oveisi Majid
Published: March 2017

Numerical investigation of the effects of magnetic field strength, thermal radiation, Joule heating, and viscous heating on a forced convective flow of a non-Newtonian, incompressible power law fluid in an axisymmetric stretching sheet with variable temperature wall is accomplished. The power law shear thinning viscosity-shear rate model for the anisotropic solutions and the Rosseland approximation for the thermal radiation through a highly absorbing medium are considered. The temperature dependent heat sources, Joule heating, and viscous heating are considered as the source terms in the energy balance. The non-dimensional boundary layer equations are solved numerically in terms of similarity variable. A parameter study on the Nusselt number, viscous components of entropy generation, and thermal components of entropy generation in fluid is performed as a function of thermal radiation parameter (0 to 2), Brinkman number (0 to 10), Prandtl number (0 to 10), Hartmann number (0 to 1), power law index (0 to 1), and heat source coefficient (0 to 0.1).
High Performance Education Fails in Sustainability? —A Reflection on Finnish Primary Teacher Education
Authors: Wolff Lili-Ann , Sjöblom Pia , Hofman-Bergholm Maria , Palmberg Irmeli
Published: March 2017

Sustainability is internationally often emphasized as an essential aim of higher education, but more as a principle than on the practical level. This is also obvious in the academic education of primary teachers in Finland. Therefore, it is a great challenge for Finnish teachers to include sustainability in their teaching and everyday life in schools. The aim of this article is to critically analyze why the implementation of sustainability in teacher education is so intricate and to discuss possible solutions with Finland—a country highly valued for its education—as an example. The article reports outcomes from educational policy documents and research on educational, philosophical, scientific and social aspects of sustainability, including evaluation of how sustainability has been implemented in schools and at universities, especially among teacher educators. In addition, the article builds on analyses of comprehensive university strategies and primary school teacher education programs. We found these reasons for the ignoring of sustainability in the Finnish teacher education: sustainability is in conflict with overall trends in society and politics, teacher education takes place at universities and is based on separate academic disciplines. Sustainability is also intricate because it is strongly connected to ecological literacy and it is value dependent. Universities need to overcome these obstacles and become forerunners in the sustainability process.
Analysis of Pressure Rise in a Closed Container Due to Internal Arcing
Authors: Li Peng , Ruan Jiangjun , Huang Daochun , OuYang Ziqing , Zhang Li , Long Mingyang , Wei Mengting
Published: March 2017

When an arc fault occurs in a medium-voltage (MV) metal enclosed switchgear, the arc heats the filling gas, resulting in a pressure rise, which may seriously damage the switchgear, the building it is contained in, or even endanger maintenance personnel. A pressure rise calculation method based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been put forward in this paper. The pressure rise was calculated and the arc tests between the copper electrodes were performed in the container under different gap lengths by the current source. The results show that the calculated pressure rise agrees well with the measurement, and the relative error of the average pressure rise is about 2%. Arc volume has less effect on the pressure distribution in the container. Arc voltage Root-Mean-Square (RMS) has significant randomness with the change of arc current, and increases with the increase of gap length. The average arc voltage gradients measure at about 26, 20 and 16 V/cm when the gap lengths are 5, 10 and 15 cm, respectively. The proportion (thermal transfer coefficient kp) of the arc energy leading to the pressure rise in the container is about 44.9%. The pressure is symmetrically distributed in the container before the pressure wave reaches the walls and the process of the energy release is similar to an explosion. The maximum overpressure in the corner is increased under the reflection and superimposition effects of the pressure wave, but the pressure waves will be of no importance any longer than a few milliseconds in the closed container.
Beyond Rewards and Punishments in the Brazilian Amazon: Practical Implications of the REDD+ Discourse
Authors: Gebara Maria , Agrawal Arun
Published: March 2017

Through different policies and measures reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation and enhancing conservation (REDD+) has grown into a way to induce behavior change of forest managers and landowners in tropical countries. We argue that debates around REDD+ in Brazil have typically highlighted rewards and punishments, obscuring other core interventions and strategies that are also critically important to reach the goal of reducing deforestation, supporting livelihoods, and promoting conservation (i.e., technology transfer and capacity building). We adopt Foucault’s concepts of governmentality and technologies of governance to provide a reading of the REDD+ discourse in Brazil and to offer an historical genealogy of the rewards and punishments approach. By analyzing practical elements from REDD+ implementation in the Brazilian Amazon, our research provides insights on the different dimensions in which smallholders react to rewards and punishments. In doing so, we add to the debate on governmentality, supplementing its focus on rationalities of governance with attention to the social practices in which such rationalities are embedded. Our research also suggests that the techniques of remuneration and coercion on which a rewards and punishments approach relies are only supporting limited behavioral changes on the ground, generating negative adaptations of deforestation practices, reducing positive feedbacks and, perhaps as importantly, producing only short‐term outcomes at the expense of positive longterm land use changes. Furthermore, the approach ignores local heterogeneities and the differences between the agents engaging in forest clearing in the Amazon. The practical elements of the REDD+ discourse in Brazil suggest the rewards and punishments approach profoundly limits our understanding of human behavior by reducing the complex and multi‐dimensional to a linear and rational simplicity. Such simplification leads to an underestimation of smallholders’ capacity to play a key role in climate mitigation and adaptation. We conclude by highlighting the importance of looking at local heterogeneities and capacities and the need to promote trust, altruism and responsibility towards others and future generations.
Modeling and Experiments on Ballistic Impact into UHMWPE Yarns Using Flat and Saddle-Nosed Projectiles
Authors: Phoenix Stuart , Heisserer Ulrich , Van der Werff Harm , Van der Jagt-Deutekom Marjolein
Published: March 2017

Yarn shooting experiments were conducted to determine the ballistically-relevant, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. Target specimens were Dyneema® SK76 yarns (1760 dtex), twisted to 40 turns/m, and initially tensioned to stresses ranging from 29 to 2200 MPa. Yarns were impacted, transversely, by two types of cylindrical steel projectiles at velocities ranging from 150 to 555 m/s: (i) a reverse-fired, fragment simulating projectile (FSP) where the flat rear face impacted the yarn rather than the beveled nose; and (ii) a ‘saddle-nosed projectile’ having a specially contoured nose imparting circular curvature in the region of impact, but opposite curvature transversely to prevent yarn slippage off the nose. Experimental data consisted of sequential photographic images of the progress of the triangular transverse wave, as well as tensile wave speed measured using spaced, piezo-electric sensors. Yarn Young’s modulus, calculated from the tensile wave-speed, varied from 133 GPa at minimal initial tension to 208 GPa at the highest initial tensions. However, varying projectile impact velocity, and thus, the strain jump on impact, had negligible effect on the modulus. Contrary to predictions from the classical Cole-Smith model for 1D yarn impact, the critical velocity for yarn failure differed significantly for the two projectile types, being 18% lower for the flat-faced, reversed FSP projectile compared to the saddle-nosed projectile, which converts to an apparent 25% difference in yarn strength. To explain this difference, a wave-propagation model was developed that incorporates tension wave collision under blunt impact by a flat-faced projectile, in contrast to outward wave propagation in the classical model. Agreement between experiment and model predictions was outstanding across a wide range of initial yarn tensions. However, plots of calculated failure stress versus yarn pre-tension stress resulted in apparent yarn strengths much lower than 3.4 GPa from quasi-static tension tests, although a plot of critical velocity versus initial tension did project to 3.4 GPa at zero velocity. This strength reduction (occurring also in aramid fibers) suggested that transverse fiber distortion and yarn compaction from a compressive shock wave under the projectile results in fiber-on-fiber interference in the emerging transverse wave front, causing a gradient in fiber tensile strains with depth, and strain concentration in fibers nearest the projectile face. A model was developed to illustrate the phenomenon.
Smoking Trends among U.S. Latinos, 1998–2013: The Impact of Immigrant Arrival Cohort
Authors: Bostean Georgiana , Ro Annie , Fleischer Nancy
Published: March 2017

Few studies examine nativity disparities in smoking in the U.S., thus a major gap remains in understanding whether immigrant Latinos’ smoking prevalence is stable, converging, or diverging, compared with U.S.-born Latinos. This study aimed to disentangle the roles of period changes, duration of U.S. residence, and immigrant arrival cohort in explaining the gap in smoking prevalence between foreign-born and U.S.-born Latinos. Using repeated cross-sectional data spanning 1998–2013 (U.S. National Health Interview Survey), regressions predicted current smoking among foreign-born and U.S.-born Latino men and women (n = 12,492). We contrasted findings from conventional regression analyses that simply include period and duration of residence effects, to two methods of assessing arrival cohort effects: the first accounted for baseline differences in smoking among arrival cohorts, while the second examined smoking probabilities by tracking foreign-born arrival cohorts as they increase their duration of U.S. residence. Findings showed that Latino immigrants maintained lower prevalence of current smoking compared with U.S.-born Latinos over the period 1998–2013, and that longer duration of U.S. residence is associated with lower odds of smoking among men. Two findings are particularly novel: (1) accounting for immigrant arrival cohort dampens the overall protective effect of duration of residence among men; and (2) the earliest arrival cohort of Latino immigrant men experienced the steepest decline in smoking over duration of U.S. residence. Results have methodological and theoretical implications for smoking studies and the Latino mortality paradox.
The Role of the Melatoninergic System in Light-Entrained Behavior of Mice
Authors: Pfeffer Martina , Korf Horst-Werner , Wicht Helmut
Published: March 2017

The role of endogenous melatonin for the control of the circadian system under entrained conditions and for the determination of the chronotype is still poorly understood. Mice with deletions in the melatoninergic system (melatonin deficiency or the lack of melatonin receptors, respectively) do not display any obvious defects in either their spontaneous (circadian) or entrained (diurnal) rhythmic behavior. However, there are effects that can be detected by analyzing the periodicity of the locomotor behaviors in some detail. We found that melatonin-deficient mice (C57Bl), as well as melatonin-proficient C3H mice that lack the melatonin receptors (MT) 1 and 2 (C3H MT1,2 KO), reproduce their diurnal locomotor rhythms with significantly less accuracy than mice with an intact melatoninergic system. However, their respective chronotypes remained unaltered. These results show that one function of the endogenous melatoninergic system might be to stabilize internal rhythms under conditions of a steady entrainment, while it has no effects on the chronotype.
Vanillin Suppresses Cell Motility by Inhibiting STAT3-Mediated HIF-1α mRNA Expression in Malignant Melanoma Cells
Authors: Park Eun-Ji , Lee Yoon-Mi , Oh Taek-In , Kim Byeong , Lim Beong-Ou , Lim Ji-Hong
Published: March 2017

Recent studies have shown that vanillin has anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, and anti-metastatic activity; however, the precise molecular mechanism whereby vanillin inhibits metastasis and cancer progression is not fully elucidated. In this study, we examined whether vanillin has anti-cancer and anti-metastatic activities via inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in A2058 and A375 human malignant melanoma cells. Immunoblotting and quantitative real time (RT)-PCR analysis revealed that vanillin down-regulates HIF-1α protein accumulation and the transcripts of HIF-1α target genes related to cancer metastasis including fibronectin 1 (FN1), lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). It was also found that vanillin significantly suppresses HIF-1α mRNA expression and de novo HIF-1α protein synthesis. To understand the suppressive mechanism of vanillin on HIF-1α expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed. Consequently, it was found that vanillin causes inhibition of promoter occupancy by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), but not nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), on HIF1A. Furthermore, an in vitro migration assay revealed that the motility of melanoma cells stimulated by hypoxia was attenuated by vanillin treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrate that vanillin might be a potential anti-metastatic agent that suppresses metastatic gene expression and migration activity under hypoxia via the STAT3-HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Comparison of RNAi Sequences in Insect-Resistant Plants to Expressed Sequences of a Beneficial Lady Beetle: A Closer Look at Off-Target Considerations
Authors: Allen Margaret
Published: March 2017

Sequences obtained from transcriptomes of the lady beetle Coleomegilla maculata were compared to those designed for incorporation into crops. Searches of the transcriptomes identified sequences as the most likely to be closely similar to the sequences described in RNAi plant incorporated products. Some proposed prime RNAi pest management targets were also used to identify predicted orthologs from C. maculata. The lady beetle sequences were aligned with sequences from corn rootworms and Colorado potato beetles and, as appropriate in the case of targets, regions of similarity were compared with the genetic model organism for beetles, Tribolium castaneum. Some high levels of nucleotide identity were identified, particularly with an actin-derived sequence from Colorado potato beetle. This actin-derived sequence shared identical sequences with the lady beetle and a parasitic wasp.
Magnetic Fluid Deformable Mirror with a Two-Layer Layout of Actuators †
Authors: Wu Zhizheng , Kong Xianghui , Zhang Zhu , Wu Junqiu , Wang Tao , Liu Mei
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a new type of magnetic fluid deformable mirror (MFDM) with a two-layer layout of actuators is proposed to improve the correction performance for full-order aberrations with a high spatial resolution. The shape of the magnetic fluid surface is controlled by the combined magnetic field generated by the Maxwell coil and the two-layer array of miniature coils. The upper-layer actuators which have a small size and high density are used to compensate for small-amplitude high-order aberrations and the lower-layer actuators which have a big size and low density are used to correct large-amplitude low-order aberrations. The analytical model of this deformable mirror is established and the aberration correction performance is verified by the experimental results. As a new kind of wavefront corrector, the MFDM has major advantages such as large stroke, low cost, and easy scalability and fabrication.
Microfluidic Production of Multiple Emulsions
Authors: Vladisavljević Goran , Al Nuumani Ruqaya , Nabavi Seyed
Published: March 2017

Microfluidic devices are promising tools for the production of monodispersed tuneable complex emulsions. This review highlights the advantages of microfluidics for the fabrication of emulsions and presents an overview of the microfluidic emulsification methods including two-step and single-step methods for the fabrication of high-order multiple emulsions (double, triple, quadruple and quintuple) and emulsions with multiple and/or multi-distinct inner cores. The microfluidic methods for the formation of multiple emulsion drops with ultra-thin middle phase, multi-compartment jets, and Janus and ternary drops composed of two or three distinct surface regions are also presented. Different configurations of microfluidic drop makers are covered, such as co-flow, T-junctions and flow focusing (both planar and three-dimensional (3D)). Furthermore, surface modifications of microfluidic channels and different modes of droplet generation are summarized. Non-confined microfluidic geometries used for buoyancy-driven drop generation and membrane integrated microfluidics are also discussed. The review includes parallelization and drop splitting strategies for scaling up microfluidic emulsification. The productivity of a single drop maker is typically <1 mL/h; thus, more than 1000 drop makers are needed to achieve commercially relevant droplet throughputs of >1 L/h, which requires combining drop makers into twodimensional (2D) and 3D assemblies fed from a single set of inlet ports through a network of distribution and collection channels.