bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El uso del diccionario como componente estratégico en las clases de ele para alumnado sinohablante
Authors: Iglesia Martín Sandra , Gibert Escofet María Isabel
Published: July 2019

Resumen: El diccionario cumple una función importante en el proceso de aprendizaje de una lengua extranjera (Lew, 2016).  Cuando un alumno sinohablante está aprendiendo español ve la necesidad de usar el diccionario para verificar la ortografía o el significado de las palabras que desconoce (Tungmen Tu, 2010). Esto se evidencia en el hecho de que cuando un alumno llega a clase siempre trae consigo un diccionario.  Los objetivos principales de este estudio son: (1) hacer  un  diagnóstico  del  uso  que  los estudiantes  sinohablantes  hacen  de  los  diccionarios  en  clase; y (2) analizar la percepción que tienen dichos estudiantes de las ventajas y desventajas que representa el diccionario en el aula de lengua. En las conclusiones del trabajo se propone una línea de actuación docente en el ámbito del  componente  estratégico  para  optimizar  el  uso  de  diccionarios monolingües  y  bilingües  en  clase.Palabras clave: ELE, sinohablantes, diccionarios, competencia estratégica Abstract: The dictionary plays an important role in the learning process of a foreign language (Lew, 2016). The need to use the dictionary to verify the spelling or the meaning of the words that the Chinese student does not know when s/he is learning Spanish is beyond doubt (Tungmen Tu, 2012). The fact that when a student arrives in class s/he always brings a dictionary is an evidence. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to make a diagnosis of Chinese students dictionary use in class; and (2) analyze the students' perception of the advantages and disadvantages of the dictionary in the language classroom. In the conclusions of the work, a teaching approach is proposed in the scope of the strategic component to optimize the use of monolingual and bilingual dictionaries in class.Key words: ELE, Spanish, Chinese learners, dictionary, strategic competence.
Las exposiciones temporales como recurso para la clase de ELE
Authors: Brines Gandía Jaume
Published: July 2019

ResumenEl presente trabajo muestra la rentabilidad que ofrecen los museos, las salas expositivas y el arte en dos ámbitos fundamentales de la docencia de ELE: desde el punto de vista lingüístico y desde el cultural. Las exposiciones museísticas ofrecen múltiples posibilidades cuya adecuada explotación didáctica en el aula puede permitir a los aprendientes de ELE un acercamiento a la lengua y a la competencia intercultural.  Esta actividad práctica se realizó con dos grupos de niveles B1 y B2 en dos exposiciones temporales, sobre Sorolla y Victoria Cano en el Centre del Carme (Valencia). Profesor y alumnos asistieron a una visita guiada de estas exposiciones, en la cual debían completar información relevante en una ficha. Se muestran las ventajas de la integración de los museos y del arte en el aula de ELE, mediante las impresiones de los estudiantes, plasmadas en sus textos escritos tras la visita a estas exposiciones.Palabras clave: ELE, cultura, exposición, museos AbstractThis report shows the profitability that museums, exhibition rooms and art can offer to two different areas in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language: linguistic and cultural. The museum exhibitions offer multiple resources which, with a good didactic work in the classroom, can provide the students with an approach to the language and the intercultural competence.This practical activity was carried out in two different groups of B1 and B2 levels, in two different temporary art exhibitions, about Sorolla and Victoria Cano in the Centre del Carmen (Valencia). The teacher and the students attended a guided tour of the exhibitions, in which they had to fill up a sheet of paper with relevant information about the exhibitions. The vantages of arts and the museums integration in Spanish as a foreign language are shown through the students impressions, expressed in their written texts after visiting the exhibitions.       Keywords: E/LE, culture, exhibition, museums
Cómo enseñar E/LE para brasileños con el empleo del diccionario en clase: el caso de las marcas de uso<
Authors: Araújo Edna María V.M. , Lima Moreira Glauber
Published: July 2019

Resumen: El propósito principal del presente trabajo es presentar una secuencia didáctica mediante el uso del diccionario para el desarrollo de la escritura de los estudiantes brasileños de español como lengua extranjera (E/LE), nivel B1 y B2. Hemos considerado las nuevas competencias y prácticas pedagógicas, incluyendo el uso del diccionario en el aula como género textual dirigido a la enseñanza de lenguas. Este artículo está basado en los estudios de Alzola Fariñas (2001), Kleiman (2002, 2013), Araújo (2007), Pontes (2009), Moreira (2009) y Rojo (2013), entre otros. Es importante que el profesor y el estudiante sepan cómo utilizar todas las posibilidades que el diccionario ofrece para el aprendizaje. Trabajamos con las marcas lexicográficas de la lengua (información sobre los aspectos socioculturales de la lengua), como diatécnicas medicina (MED), informática (INF), botánica (BOT), etc. Utilizamos diccionarios monolingües y semibilingües adecuados a los aprendices en la etapa del desarrollo y consolidación de la escritura en E/LE.Palabras clave: diccionario pedagógico, aprendizaje de la escritura, enseñanza del español, secuencia didáctica. Abstract: The main purpose of this work is to present a didactic sequence through the use of dictionary for the development of writing by Brazilian students of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL), levels B1 and B2. We have considered the new pedagogical and practices skills, including the use of dictionary in the classroom as a textual genre aimed at teaching languages. This article is based on the studies of Alzola Fariñas (2001), Kleiman (2002, 2013), Araújo (2007), Pontes (2009), Moreira (2009) and Rojo (2013), among others. It is important that teachers and students know how to use all the possibilities that the dictionary offers for learning. We worked with the lexicographical marks of the language (information on the sociocultural aspects of the language) such as medicine (MED), computing (COMP), botany (BOT), etc. We used suitable monolingual and bilingualized dictionaries for learners in the writing development stage.Keywords: pedagogical dictionary, improving writing, teaching Spanish, didactic Sequence.
Cuando un príncipe besa a una rana: ¡Sorpresa! Una propuesta didáctica desde la homosexualidad
Authors: Jódar Sánchez José Antonio , Domene Benito Rocío
Published: July 2019

Resumen: En esta propuesta didáctica, utilizamos el álbum ilustrado como herramienta para la enseñanza de contenido lingüístico, así como valores sociales y cívicos a un grupo de estudiantes de ELE de nivel A2. Utilizamos el álbum ilustrado El día de la rana roja que narra la historia de dos príncipes que se enamoran y adoptan a una niña huérfana. Estructuramos nuestra propuesta en cuatro fases (introducción, comprensión, consolidación, resignificación), de las cuáles las dos últimas son las dos que más desarrollamos. Planteamos una entrevista a la rana del cuento, un teatro con marionetas, y el dibujo del mapa del reino como actividades de introducción. En la fase de comprensión se sugieren actividades de léxico y gramática sencillas, tratando, por ejemplo, los tiempos de presente y futuro. En la fase de consolidación, el profesor tiene la opción de realizar el taller del adivinador de sueños o la puesta en escena de declaraciones de amor entre animales. Finalmente, para la fase de resignificación, se cuestiona por qué el rey y la reina cambian el vestido por unos pantalones al averiguar que su hijo se casará con un chico.Palabras clave: Homosexualidad, español como lengua extranjera, álbum ilustrado, El día de la rana roja. Abstract: This teaching material is based on the picture book El día de la rana roja, the story of a prince who marries another man and together adopt an orphan child. It is targeted to students of Spanish as a foreign language of any country, including the United States, with an A2 level. Picture books are useful tools to teach, not only language and grammar, but also civility and good manners in society. The proposal is divided into four phases (introduction, comprehension, consolidation, and intellectual challenge), the latter of which are explained in detail. For the introduction phase, we propose interviewing the frog in the story, having a puppet role play narrating the story, and drawing a map of the kingdom. For the comprehesion phase, we suggest grammar (present and future tense) activities and lexicon ones. For the consolidation phase, the teacher can choose between doing an activity with a mind reader or with declarations of love among animals. Finally, for the phase where their ideas are challenged, the focus is on the topic of clothing. The fact that the king and queen change the dress of the princess for a pair of trousers for the prince is challenged to show students that clothing is a mere social convention based on sex that can be questioned.Keywords: Homosexuality, Spanish as a foreign language, picture book, El día de la rana roja.
Cervantes y el amor: evolución de las colocaciones desde la perspectiva de género
Authors: García Saiz Lorena
Published: July 2019

Resumen: Este artículo presenta una unidad didáctica de Lengua Castellana y Literatura, que se trabaja en el Aula de Acogida de un centro de secundaria con un grupo de alumnado extranjero con un nivel B1. Concretamente, se trabajan las colocaciones amorosas aparecidas en diversas poesías de Miguel de Cervantes, mediante un conjunto de actividades guiadas y desde un enfoque comunicativo. Posteriormente, se comparan con similares construcciones en productos culturales actuales, –en este caso, con cuestionarios de revistas juveniles que giran en torno al amor-, con lo que se comprueba que muchas de las actuales concepciones sobre las relaciones amorosas tienen un bagaje histórico y temporal, construido bajo la idea del «amor romántico». Así pues, el acercamiento a la obra de uno de los mayores escritores de la literatura universal- centrándonos en el reconocimiento, composición y uso de diversas colocaciones- sirve para trabajar componentes no solo lingüísticos sino culturales, contribuyendo a una labor coeducativa.Palabras clave: colocaciones, amor romántico, Cervantes, poesía Abstract: This article presents a Spanish Language and Literature didactic unit that it is worked in the Shelter classroom secondary school with B1 level pupils group. In particular, this unit works with loving placements that appear in various poems of Miguel de Cervantes, through a set of guided activities in the most meaningful way. Subsequently, they are compared with similar constructions in current cultural products, -such as youth magazines questionnaires that deal with love-, which it can be checked how many of the current conceptions of love relationships have a historical and temporary background, which it has been built under the idea of «romantic love». Thus, the approach to the work of one of the world literature greatest writers -focusing on recognition, composition and use of different placements - serves to work not only linguistic but also cultural components contributing to a work coeducational.Key words: placements, romantic love, Cervantes, poetry
Al rescate de la economía o cómo hablar con metáforas de asuntos serios
Authors: Rivera León Lorena
Published: July 2019

Resumen: A raíz de la formulación de la teoría cognitiva de la metáfora por parte de Lakoff y Johnson (1980) se descubre que esta figura puede promover el desarrollo de la competencia comunicativa en el aprendizaje de segundas lenguas. Sin embargo, en el ámbito de ELE apenas hay materiales disponibles para explotarla. Para paliar este déficit presentamos aquí una secuencia didáctica pensada para Español de los negocios de nivel C1. En el discurso de las ciencias sociales proliferan las metáforas creadas a partir de términos de la lengua común que han adquirido un significado específico en estas disciplinas. Trabajamos con textos de la sección económica de El País y nos fijamos en las metáforas conceptuales subyacentes, que soportan buena parte del peso argumentativo. Tras este entrenamiento, el alumno deberá construir metáforas para debatir sobre el intervencionismo en economía.Palabras clave: Metáfora, lingüística cognitiva, economía, español de los negocios Abstract: As a result of the formulation of the Cognitive Theory of the Metaphor by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) scholars discovered that this literary device could contribute to the development of communicative competence among L2 students. However, there are barely any didactic materials to take advantage of it. With the purpose of filling this gap a didactic sequence for Business Spanish, level C1, is presented. The speech in social sciences is rich in technical terms coming from the assignment of a metaphorical value to words we use in everyday language. Texts from the economic section of the newspaper El País will be used in order to detect the underlying conceptual metaphors that are essential for argumentation. After this training lesson, students must be able to construct metaphors for the discussion on economic interventionism.Keywords: Metaphor, cognitive linguistics, economy, Business Spanish
La atenuación pragmática como estrategia de acercamiento en el Español de la Salud: propuesta didáctica
Authors: Gancedo Ruiz Marta
Published: July 2019

Resumen: El objetivo de este trabajo es aportar una nueva manera de desarrollar la competencia pragmática de los alumnos de Español de la Salud. Para ello, se propone introducir en el aula el trabajo con una estrategia pragmática concreta para facilitar las relaciones médico-paciente, la atenuación, a través de secuencias didácticas contextualizadas en tres situaciones comunicativas concretas del ámbito hospitalario: la exploración física, la transmisión de malas noticias y la reprobación de malas conductas con consejo médico.Palabras clave: Español con Fines Específicos, atenuación, competencia pragmática, relación médico-paciente. Abstract: The aim of this article is to provide a new way to develop the pragmatic competence in Spanish for Medical Purposes. In order to do this, it is suggested to introduce in the classroom the work with a specific pragmatic strategy, mitigation, in order to make easier the doctor-patient communication by using didactic sequences contextualised in three medical situations of the medical context: medical examination, giving bad news and rejection of misconduct.Keywords: Spanish for Specific Purposes, mitigation, pragmatic competence, doctor-patient relationship
Enseñanza de la colocación basada en la analogía del inglés
Authors: Tsutahara Ryo
Published: July 2019

Resumen: En este trabajo, empezamos por defender la importancia del conocimiento de colocaciones para los estudiantes de ELE. La falta del conocimiento puede provocar frases que pueden ser gramaticalmente correctas pero poco naturales como lluvia pesada. Aprendiendo colocaciones se amplía el vocabulario y se mejora la capacidad de expresión. Sin embargo, en cada lengua existen numerosas palabras que forman una gran cantidad de colocaciones, por lo que es provechoso buscar una estrategia que facilite el aprendizaje de estas. Considerando que la analogía que existe entre el español y el inglés ayuda a mejorar la enseñanza de la colocación, hemos establecido un material docente basado en esta analogía. El segundo objetivo de este trabajo es presentar este material y sus particularidades. También mostraremos los datos que justifican la eficacia de nuestra estrategia, datos que indican que la mayoría de las colocaciones en español y sus correspondientes en inglés son léxicamente paralelas.Palabras claves: colocación, inglés, comparación, material docente, corpus Abstract: In this paper, at first, I will try to show the importance of the knowledge of collocations for ELE students. Insufficient knowledge of collocations may cause phrases that can be grammatically correct but sound strange like lluvia pesada. By learning collocations, the students can expand their vocabulary and improve their capacity of expression. Therefore, it is useful to develop a strategy to facilitate the learning of collocations. I think that the parallels between Spanish and English could improve the teaching of collocations and I have established teaching materials based on this analogy. The second objective of this paper is to present it and show the distinctive feature of these materials. I will also show data that support the validity of the strategy, the data that indicate that the majority of the collocations in Spanish and the corresponding ones in English are lexically parallel.  Keywords: Collocation, English, comparison, teaching materials, corpus
Recursos mediáticos en la práctica educativa de E/LE en la Universidad de Relaciones Internacionales de Moscú (MGIMO)
Authors: Yakovleva Victoria , Vereshchinskaya Yulia
Published: July 2019

Resumen: Este trabajo está dedicado a compartir la experiencia de la práctica didáctica del uso de los recursos mediáticos en clase de E/LE. Analizamos la eficacia de tipos de materiales audiovisuales en la aplicación al proceso educativo tanto en el marco del curso general de los niveles A1-A2, B1-B2, como en el marco del español con fines específicos (B2-C1). En este trabajo exponemos las técnicas utilizadas en la MGIMO con apoyo de recursos mediáticos como uno de los mejores métodos para transmitir la lengua en un contexto real, explorando sus peculiaridades lingüísticas y extralingüísticas.Palabras clave: texto mediático, recursos audiovisuales, medios de comunicación, Español con Fines Específicos, competencias auditivas. Abstract: This work is dedicated to share our educative practice experience in the use of media resources in the SFL. We analyze the efficiency of types of audiovisual materials in their didactic and pedagogical implications in the general course A1-A2, B1-B2 as well as in the course of Spanish For Specific Purposes (B2-C1). We expose the methodology of application of such instruments at the MGIMO University as one of the best methods to transmit the language in the real context with exploring of its linguistic and extra linguistic peculiarities.Key words: mediatext, audiovisual resources, mass media, Spanish For Specific Purposes, listening skills.
Cultura literaria en dos niveles de español (A2 y B1)
Authors: Brines Jaume , Saneleuterio Elia
Published: July 2019

Presentamos una experiencia de acercamiento de estudiantes de E/LE a la cultura española mediante su poesía, para tratar aspectos de la literatura relevantes en el aprendizaje de la lengua, tales como la dicción, las rimas, el léxico y algunas figuras literarias, seleccionando algunos hitos de la tradición poética española que pusieran al estudiante en contacto con esta parte de nuestra cultura.
El diseño pretendía atraer la atención, fomentar un contexto de aprendizaje distendido y despertar el gusto estético; estos objetivos van de la mano del género literario trabajado, dado que la poesía es la gran excluida en las clases de español como lengua extranjera.
La comprensión oral y la lectora jugaron un papel relevante en cuanto a competencias se refiere, enfatizando al mismo tiempo en la recitación de los poemas y en la expresión oral.
Las actividad se llevó a cabo con estudiantes Erasmus del Centre d’Idiomes de la Universitat de València, con dos grupos de niveles A2 y B1, respectivamente.
Piedras bezoares entre dos mundos: de talismán a remedio en el septentrión novohispano, siglos XVI-XVIII
Authors: Llamas Camacho Edith Guadalupe , Calderón Tania Ariza
Published: July 2019

Objective/context: This article analyzes the use of American bezoar stone as a polysemic object. While for Amerindians it worked as a talisman for hunting, European Jesuits, doctors and merchants attributed it medicinal properties. The Jesuits who collected the medical practices of the northern provinces of New Spain responded to the need to take care of the health of missionaries in remote lands. An example of this was the Florilegio Medicinal by Father Juan de Esteyneffer, product of the adaptation of the local flora and fauna. Originality: In contrast to the historical works devoted to describing and explaining bezoar stones as medicine in Europe, this article shows objects as having a trajectory and as relating in different ways to various human groups, depending on the cultural order in which they are found. In this line of reasoning, these objects allow us to compare local practices with those of colonial agents. Methodology: This research contrasts information coming from several anthropologists’s field work, primary sources and historiographical work. In addition, it is part of a new set of proposals that seeks to attribute social life to objects and, thus, to explore their multiple circulations and meanings in intercultural spaces. Conclusions: The American bezoar stone was a complex artifact that had diverse trajectories and scopes. For the Amerindians, this hunting talisman was an agent that regulated relations with the community and nonhuman entities. In contrast, for colonial agents, its economic potential destined it to become a pharmaceutical merchandise, a substitute for the valuable oriental bezoar stone.
La experiencia del imperio. Méritos y saber de los oficiales imperiales españoles
Authors: Polo y La Borda Adolfo
Published: July 2019

Objective/context: In this article I will examine the concept and the ideal of “experience”, i.e. knowledge acquired from lived situations, and its effects on the functioning of the Spanish Empire during the seventeenth century. The analysis will focus on the experience of Spanish imperial officers —those men who held government offices, such as corregidores or gobernadores— and how they developed empirical knowledge and practices that were decisive for government and the functioning of the monarchy. Originality: Officers’ experiences have received very little attention, especially from a political perspective. Moreover, this study emphasizes not only the physical movements of officers throughout the empire, but also the way their knowledge circulated. Furthermore, it highlights the fact that this movement was not unidirectional, nor exclusively from Europe to America. There was broad intraregional movement, as well as from America to Europe. Methodology: The article will make a brief analysis of how experience was valued by political treatise writers. Then, it will show how imperial officers gained various forms of experience and focus on tracing the circulation of such experience: i.e. how it was put into practice in other regions of the empire. Finally, from an analysis of the informaciones de méritos y servicios (or “reports on merits and services”, a well-known but understudied document) this paper will take stock of how officers’ experiences were accumulated, codified and disseminated. Conclusions: Officers’ experience circulated profusely throughout the empire and helped to build a common knowledge on how to govern the very varied and scattered spaces and subjects of the Spanish king. The study of the practice and transmission of experience shows how the Hispanic Monarchy was structured. Beyond the political and legal institutions, it was the very experience of government (and the circulation of such experience) that interwove the global empire, giving it cohesion and vitality.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphism at long non-coding RNA 8138.1 with duration of fertility in egg-laying hens
Authors: Adetula Adeyinka Abiola , Azmal Syed Ali , Sun Chenghao , Elokil Abdelmotaleb , Li Shijun
Published: July 2019

A previous genome-wide transcriptional analysis identified long non-coding RNA 8138.1 (lncRNA8138.1) as a candidate gene related to hen duration of the fertility (DF) trait.LncRNA8138.1gene response to growth factor and reproductive system development suggests it has a vital role in reproduction. In this study, we investigated thelncRNA8138.1gene sequence in a population of egg-laying hens. The sequence analysis of thelncRNA8138.1gene containing about 1.6 k nucleotides (nt) was observed with four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 7 nt indel including r.4937159A > G; r.4937219T > C; r.4937258G > C; r.4937318C > G and g.4937319_4937325delinsTGTGTGG. Next, the genomic DNAs from laying hen populations were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to detect a region of 457 bp carryinglncRNA8138.1r.4937159A > G substitution. Further inspection of the region containing r.4937159A > G mutation revealed three genotypes viz., AA, AG, and GG were observed with respective frequencies of 0.106, 0.607, and 0.287 in laying hen population 1 (P1) (n = 1, 042) and respective frequencies of 0.176, 0.708, and 0.116 in laying hen population 2 (P2) (n = 826). Moreover, to further examining the frequencies of r.4937159A > G genotypes in P1 and P2, and their additive and dominance effects; r.4937159A > G locus was significantly associated with DF-trait in both P1 and P2 (EN: the number of eggs, FN: the number of fertile eggs after a single AI), and DN (the number of days post-insemination until last fertile egg). In testing for additive and dominance effects, additive effect was significant (P < 0.05) in both P1 and P2 for DF-trait, and the dominance effect was significant (P < 0.05) for EN and FN traits, suggesting that r.4937159A > G polymorphism is a potential biomarker for DF-trait. However, the identified novel r.4937159A > G mutation and others require further investigation to confirm phenotypic causality and potential genetic relationships with reproductive traits. Overall, our findings suggest the significance of genetic variation in long non-coding RNAs may assist in future breeding programs to improve selection for prolonged DF-trait.
Functional properties of bacterial communities in water and sediment of the eutrophic river-lake system of Poyang Lake, China
Authors: Ren Ze , Qu Xiaodong , Peng Wenqi , Yu Yang , Zhang Min
Published: July 2019

In river-lake systems, sediment and water column are two distinct habitats harboring different bacterial communities which play a crucial role in biogeochemical processes. In this study, we employed Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States to assess the potential functions and functional redundancy of the bacterial communities in sediment and water in a eutrophic river-lake ecosystem, Poyang Lake in China. Bacterial communities in sediment and water had distinct potential functions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolisms as well as phosphorus cycle, while the differences between rivers and the lake were inconspicuous. Bacterial communities in sediment had a higher relative abundance of genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, carbon fixation pathways in prokaryotes, methane metabolism, anammox, nitrogen fixation, and dissimilatory sulfate reduction than that of water column. Bacterial communities in water column were higher in lipid metabolism, assimilatory nitrate reduction, dissimilatory nitrate reduction, phosphonate degradation, and assimilatory sulfate reduction than that of sediment bacterial communities. Furthermore, the variations in functional composition were closely associated to the variations in taxonomic composition in both habitats. In general, the bacterial communities in water column had a lower functional redundancy than in sediment. Moreover, comparing to the overall functions, bacterial communities had a lower functional redundancy of nitrogen metabolism and phosphorus cycle in water column and lower functional redundancy of nitrogen metabolism in sediment. Distance-based redundancy analysis and mantel test revealed close correlations between nutrient factors and functional compositions. The results suggested that bacterial communities in this eutrophic river-lake system of Poyang Lake were vulnerable to nutrient perturbations, especially the bacterial communities in water column. The results enriched our understanding of the bacterial communities and major biogeochemical processes in the eutrophic river-lake ecosystems.
Genotoxic Assessment of the Metabolite M-11 of Mepanipyrim, the Active Ingredient in the Plant Protection Product FRUPICA SC
Authors: Dirven Hubert , Lyche Jan Ludvig , Låg Marit , Nilsen Asbjørn Magne , Borgå Katrine , Eklo Ole Martin , Grung Merete , Sverdrup Line Emilie , Källqvist Torsten
Published: July 2019

The VKM Panel for plant protection products considered Frupica SC in a meeting on 25.11.2010, and found the active ingredient problematic with regard to carcinogenic effects and possible genotoxicity. M11 is a metabolite of mepanipyrim which is the active ingredient the plant protection product Frupica SC. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has asked the applicant for further assessment of the genotoxic potential of the metabolite M11. The applicant has submitted a rat liver in vivo Comet assay of the metabolite, and the panel has been requested to consider if the genotoxic properties of mepanipyrim and the metabolite M11 is adequately documented.

 The metabolite M11 caused positive findings in in vitro studies for bacterial mutation and chromosomal aberrations. Three in vivo studies (Micronucleus, unscheduled DNA synthesis and Comet assay) did not show evidence of genotoxicity. Based on the documentation available, VKMs Panel on Plant Protection Products concludes that mepanipyrim and the metabolite M11 should not be considered genotoxic in vivo. The lack of demonstrated in vivo genotoxicity makes it likely that mepanipyrim induces liver tumors in rats and mice by a mechanism that involves a threshold below which tumors are not expected to develop. This conclusion is strengthened by the finding of a promoter-like behavior of mepanipyrim for induction of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase positive foci in rat liver.
Microorganisms in Biostimulants
Authors: Joner Erik , Skjerve Eystein , Sundheim Leif , Tronsmo Arne , Wastson Yngvild , Eckner Karl , Kapperud Georg , Lassen Jørgen Fredrik , Narvhus Judith , Nesbakken Truls , Robertson Lucy , Rosnes Jan Thomas , Skjerdal Olaug Taran , Vold Line
Published: July 2019

In March 2016, the EU Commission presented a proposal for new regulations on fertilising material. The regulation includes product rules for a wide range of organic and inorganic products. Microbial biostimulants is one of the categories of products that are included. Biostimulants, in the draft EU regulation, are defined as fertilising materials that affect nutrient processes independently of the product's own nutrient content and with the purpose of improving nutrient utilisation, tolerance for abiotic stress or quality of the crop. Positive list in which species of these bacterial genera are listed: Azotobacter spp, Rhizobium spp., Azospirillum spp and Mycorrhizal fungi are a part of the regulation.

Since the import and use of these organisms are the responsibility of both the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency, they asked VKM to submit a joint report on effects on health (humans, plants and animals), biodiversity and dispersal, quality of agricultural land and on soil environment.

Conclusions:

Health risks:

Based upon our literature review, we have found no indication of any specific diseases in plants, animals or humans induced by the discussed microorganisms. A few reported cases of human disease are caused through wound infections or injections in immunocompromised patients. These represent a situation where any microorganism may induce infections and is not specific for the agents discussed in this report. In summary, the risk of any disease caused by the discussed microorganisms is considered negligible.

Environmental risks:

In soil the biodiversity, competition, adaptation and functional redundancy of microorganisms are extremely high. This means that introduced microorganisms have a very small chance for establishing, and even less so for affecting biodiversity and soil functioning. Introduction of nitrogen fixing species or fungi that can transport P to plants (mycorrhiza) will lead to an increase in the primary production. However, even a large increased activity for these processes will not outcompete naturally occurring symbiotic N-fixation or growth of inherently non-mycorrhizal plant species. Thus, the risks associated with introduced non-pathogenic microorganisms are very low.
In vitro Assessment of Fosfomycin: A Beacon of Hope in Drug Resistant Organisms Causing Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Anand Mridu , Sahu Chinmoy , Negi Arti , Singh Avinash
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections affecting humans.. Fosfomycin has been approved for use in uncomplicated UTI caused by E. coli and Enterococcus. However, data regarding sensitivity of organisms causing hospital acquired or complicated UTI is scarce worldwide. We aimed to determine the in vitro sensitivity of drug resistant organisms causing hospital acquired and complicated UTI towards fosfomycin.

Materials and Methods: Over a 6 month period, urine samples were processed as per standard microbiological protocols. Bacterial isolates were identified by routine microbiological methods followed by automated methods. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were done for different antibiotics. Fosfomycin sensitivity was tested by disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by E test method.

Results: A total of 248` organisms causing hospital acquired and/or complicated UTI were isolated of which E. coli 88(35.48%) was most common followed by K. pneumoniae 78(31.45%) and P. aeruginosa 64(25.80%). Of 248, 92.74% (230/248) isolates were sensitive to fosfomycin. All the E. coli isolates were sensitive to fosfomycin with a low MIC (range 0.064-16 mg/L) while 97.43% (76/78) of the K. pneumoniae and 71.87% (46/64) P. aeruginosa of isolates were sensitive with a higher MIC (range 0.5-32 mg/L and 6-64mg/L respectively). Fosfomycin MIC geometric mean among E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa was; 1.05, 7.19 and 19.61 mg/L respectively.  K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa showed a significantly higher geometric mean MIC compare to E. coli (P <0.0001).

Conclusions: This study suggests that fosfomycin has the potential to replace the parenteral antibiotics for treating complicated or hospital acquired lower UTI especially in case of Enterobacteriaceae.
Dosimetric impact and detectability of multi‐leaf collimator positioning errors on Varian Halcyon
Authors: Gay Skylar S. , Netherton Tucker J. , Cardenas Carlos E. , Ger Rachel B. , Balter Peter A. , Dong Lei , Mihailidis Dimitris , Court Laurence E.
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dosimetric impact of multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) positioning errors on a Varian Halcyon for both random and systematic errors, and to evaluate the effectiveness of portal dosimetry quality assurance in catching clinically significant changes caused by these errors. Both random and systematic errors were purposely added to 11 physician‐approved head and neck volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans, yielding a total of 99 unique plans. Plans were then delivered on a preclinical Varian Halcyon linear accelerator and the fluence was captured by an opposed portal dosimeter. When comparing dose–volume histogram (DVH) values of plans with introduced MLC errors to known good plans, clinically significant changes to target structures quickly emerged for plans with systematic errors, while random errors caused less change. For both error types, the magnitude of clinically significant changes increased as error size increased. Portal dosimetry was able to detect all systematic errors, while random errors of ±5 mm or less were unlikely to be detected. Best detection of clinically significant errors, while minimizing false positives, was achieved by following the recommendations of AAPM TG‐218. Furthermore, high‐ to moderate correlation was found between dose DVH metrics for normal tissues surrounding the target and portal dosimetry pass rates. Therefore, it may be concluded that portal dosimetry on the Halcyon is robust enough to detect errors in MLC positioning before they introduce clinically significant changes to VMAT treatment plans.
Examining the effects of frustration on working memory capacity
Authors: Fillauer Jonathan Parks , Bolden Jennifer , Jacobson Melanie , Partlow Brock H. , Benavides Andrea , Shultz Jessica N.
Published: July 2019

The present study attempts to expand our understanding of frustration, clinical symptoms, and working memory by examining the unique contribution of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and frustration to working memory capacity (WMC). A factor‐analytic framework was utilized to isolate and examine WMC based on results from three working memory tasks that were administered in counterbalanced order to control for individual differences in baseline WMC. All participants provided subjective ratings of frustration both prior to and after administration of a frustration induction. Results suggest that although we were able to systematically induce subjective frustration for participants in the experimental group relative to the control group, WMC was not associated with induced frustration in the present study. Results also indicated that inattention symptoms predicted baseline frustration levels. This work highlights the need to examine the extent to which storage/rehearsal WMC and additional process‐oriented working memory‐related performance variables are related to frustration. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Self‐Propelled 3D‐Printed “Aircraft Carrier” of Light‐Powered Smart Micromachines for Large‐Volume Nitroaromatic Explosives Removal
Authors: Kong Lei , Ambrosi Adriano , Nasir Muhammad Zafir Mohamad , Guan Jianguo , Pumera Martin
Published: July 2019

Self‐propelled micro‐/nanomotors are in the forefront of materials research, for applications ranging from environmental remediation to biomedicine. However, due to their limited sizes, they can only navigate within small distances, typically in the order of millimeters, which inevitably hinder their use for large‐volume real applications. Here it is shown that a 3D‐printed millimeter‐scale motor (3DP‐motor) can act as “aircraft carrier” of TiO2/Pt Janus micromotors and be used for enhanced large‐volume environmental remediation applications. The 3DP‐motor can move fast for tens of meters through the Marangoni effect by asymmetrically releasing ethanol. During its navigation, this 3DP‐motor can carry and slowly release in solution TiO2/Pt Janus micromotors which can be propelled by light illumination while acting as photodegradation agents. Highly efficient degradation of nitroaromatic explosives over a large solution area is achieved. A wall‐following motion of the 3DP‐motor without external guidance is also demonstrated which is generated by the chemiosmotic flow at the wall vicinity. This can be easily tuned by changing the wettability of the wall surface and also modifying the shape of 3DP‐motor, leading to different motion behaviors. This work introduces a new concept of micromotors carried by large millimeter sized motors to traverse long distances and it should find a broad range of applications.
Carbon Quantum Dots Codoped with Nitrogen and Lanthanides for Multimodal Imaging
Authors: Bouzas‐Ramos Diego , Cigales Canga Jesus , Mayo Juan Carlos , Sainz Rosa Maria , Ruiz Encinar Jorge , Costa‐Fernandez Jose Manuel
Published: July 2019

Nanoparticles are increasingly being used as advantageous alternatives to commonly used contrast agents in bioimaging, not only due to their improved imaging capabilities but also their great potential in theranostics. Herein, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) codoped with nitrogen and lanthanides (i.e., Gd and Yb) are synthesized using a one‐pot microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method and evaluated as improved multimodal contrast agents for imaging purposes. The obtained doped‐CQDs exhibit an intense fluorescence emission with excellent quantum yields (66 ± 7%) along with outstanding magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) contrast properties, without showing appreciable cytotoxicity after their exposure to three different cell lines for 24 and 72 h. Such outstanding features turn these nanoparticles into ideal labels for multimodal imaging. To actually prove such potential, first, these CQDs codoped with N and lanthanides are successfully applied to in vitro fluorescence, and MR and CT cell imaging. In addition, such nanoparticles demonstrate to have great potential as contrast agents for multimodal imaging in vivo as significant MR and CT contrast enhancement is observed in the bladder and kidneys of a mouse after their intravenous injection into the tail vein.
Improved Charge Transport and Reduced Nonradiative Energy Loss Enable Over 16% Efficiency in Ternary Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Runnan , Yao Huifeng , Cui Yong , Hong Ling , He Chang , Hou Jianhui
Published: July 2019

Recent advances in the material design and synthesis of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) have revealed a new landscape for polymer solar cells (PSCs) and have boosted the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) to over 15%. Further improvements of the photovoltaic performance are a significant challenge in NFA‐PSCs based on binary donor:acceptor blends. In this study, ternary PSCs are fabricated by incorporating a fullerene derivative, PC61BM, into a combination of a polymer donor (PBDB‐TF) and a fused‐ring NFA (Y6) and a very high PCE of 16.5% (certified as 16.2%) is recorded. Detailed studies suggest that the loading of PC61BM into the PBDB‐TF:Y6 blend can not only enhance the electron mobility but also can increase the electroluminescence quantum efficiency, leading to balanced charge transport and reduced nonradiative energy losses simultaneously. This work suggests that utilizing the complementary advantages of fullerene and NFAs is a promising way to finely tune the detailed photovoltaic parameters and further improve the PCEs of PSCs.
Dopant‐Free Small‐Molecule Hole‐Transporting Material for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Exceeding 21%
Authors: Wang Yang , Chen Wei , Wang Lei , Tu Bao , Chen Tian , Liu Bin , Yang Kun , Koh Chang Woo , Zhang Xianhe , Sun Huiliang , Chen Guocong , Feng Xiyuan , Woo Han Young , Djurišić Aleksandra B. , He Zhubing , Guo Xugang
Published: July 2019

Hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) play a critical role in realizing efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). Considering their capability of enabling PVSCs with good device reproducibility and long‐term stability, high‐performance dopant‐free small‐molecule HTMs (SM‐HTMs) are greatly desired. However, such dopant‐free SM‐HTMs are highly elusive, limiting the current record efficiencies of inverted PVSCs to around 19%. Here, two novel donor–acceptor‐type SM‐HTMs (MPA‐BTI and MPA‐BTTI) are devised, which synergistically integrate several design principles for high‐performance HTMs, and exhibit comparable optoelectronic properties but distinct molecular configuration and film properties. Consequently, the dopant‐free MPA‐BTTI‐based inverted PVSCs achieve a remarkable efficiency of 21.17% with negligible hysteresis and superior thermal stability and long‐term stability under illumination, which breaks the long‐time standing bottleneck in the development of dopant‐free SM‐HTMs for highly efficient inverted PVSCs. Such a breakthrough is attributed to the well‐aligned energy levels, appropriate hole mobility, and most importantly, the excellent film morphology of the MPA‐BTTI. The results underscore the effectiveness of the design tactics, providing a new avenue for developing high‐performance dopant‐free SM‐HTMs in PVSCs.
Multifunctional High‐Performance Electrocatalytic Properties of Nb2O5 Incorporated Carbon Nanofibers as Pt Support Catalyst
Authors: Shanmugapriya Sathyanarayanan , Zhu Pei , Yan Chaoyi , Asiri Abdullah M. , Zhang Xiangwu , Selvan Ramakrishnan Kalai
Published: July 2019

Designing an electrocatalyst by integrating multiple classes of materials is an effective strategy for reinforcing the electrode properties. This study demonstrates a facile electrospinning technique for functionalizing the carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with Nb2O5 co‐catalyst as the support material for platinum nanoparticles. The resultant Nb CNF‐Pt electrode has a sensible Pt loading of 30 µg cm−2 and manifests high catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The Nb CNF‐Pt outperforms the commercial 20 wt% Pt loaded carbon with high positive onset potential (0.99 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) and half‐wave potential (0.87 V vs RHE) during ORR. It also provides large electrochemical active surface area (94.19 m2 g−1) and mass activity (783.34 mA mg−1) during MOR. Furthermore, the Nb CNF‐Pt electrode demands an extremely minimal overpotential of 37 and 325 mV and a Tafel slope of 38 and 81 mV dec−1 for HER and OER, respectively. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Nb CNF‐Pt is attributed to the strong metal–support interaction between Nb2O5 and Pt, resulting in a uniform loading of Pt NPs with reduced particle size and agglomeration‐free distribution.
Utilizing the Organizational Power of DNA Scaffolds for New Nanophotonic Applications
Authors: Bui Hieu , Díaz Sebastián A. , Fontana Jake , Chiriboga Matthew , Veneziano Remi , Medintz Igor L.
Published: July 2019

Rapid development of DNA technology has provided a feasible route to creating nanoscale materials. DNA acts as a self‐assembled nanoscaffold capable of assuming any three‐dimensional shape. The ability to integrate dyes and new optical materials such as quantum dots and plasmonic nanoparticles precisely onto these architectures provides new ways to exploit their near‐ and far‐field interactions. A fundamental understanding of these optical processes will help drive development of next‐generation photonic nanomaterials. This review is focused on latest progress in DNA‐based photonic materials and highlights DNA scaffolds for rapidly assembling and prototyping nanoscale optical devices. Three areas are discussed including intrinsically active DNA structures displaying chiral properties, DNA scaffolds hosting plasmonic nanomaterials, and fluorophore‐labeled DNAs that engage in Förster resonance energy transfer and give rise to complex molecular photonic wires. An explanation of what is desired from these optical processes when harnessed sets the tone for what DNA scaffolds are providing toward each focus. Examples from the literature illustrate current progress along with a discussion of challenges to overcome for further improvements. Opportunities to integrate diverse classes of optically active molecules including light‐generating enzymes, fluorescent proteins, nanoclusters, and metal–chelates in new structural combinations on DNA scaffolds are also highlighted.