bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El lugar de la religión. Espacios sagrados y prácticas de sacralización de los alemanes de Rusia en la Pampa Central. Colonia Santa María, 1908-1939
Authors: Morales Schmuker Eric
Published: January 2016

¿Cómo el espacio puede ser pensado, organizado y controlado a partir de lo religioso? En los últimos años, los estudios provenientes de la “geografía de las religiones” han aportado un nutrido herramental para analizar la dimensión espacial de lo religioso. A partir de esta propuesta, el presente artículo aborda las prácticas religiosas de los habitantes de Santa María, una colonia fundada por alemanes de Rusia en el territorio pampeano. Específicamente, estudia la apropiación y redefinición del espacio rural desde lo religioso y la construcción de un circuito sacro a partir de las prácticas de sacralización de los colonos, desde su arribo a la región hasta 1939, periodo en el cual la colonia funcionó como una “aldea étnico-religiosa”, con sus líderes e instituciones. Mediante un abordaje histórico-cultural y el análisis de fuentes diversas (escritas, orales, materiales), el trabajo analiza las relaciones entre el espacio, la religión y la etnicidad y su importancia en la preservación de la identidad comunitaria.
La prensa “imparcial” y su propuesta pedracista. La elección presidencial mexicana de 1828: Discursiva propagandística y controversia
Authors: Romero Valderrama Ana
Published: January 2016

La coalición pedracista, formada para apoyar al general Manuel Gómez Pedraza durante la elección presidencial de 1828, representa una temática periférica en la historiografía. Esta investigación busca subsanar tal carencia al estudiar de manera detallada la candidatura de Pedraza desde la publicación imparcial Águila Mejicana. Específicamente, procura dar una respuesta a la pregunta: ¿cuáles fueron los argumentos periodísticos de los partidarios de Pedraza? De esta forma, analiza editoriales, colaboraciones y folletos para lograr una reconstrucción de la discursiva pedracista. Igualmente, presenta la crítica a los opuestos yorkinos, además de algunos debates suscitados entre ambos grupos. Discute los rasgos principales que la coalición pedracista resaltó sobre la idoneidad de la figura detrás de la Secretaría de Guerra y Marina (eficiencia y severidad gubernativa, imparcialidad y “hombría de bien”). Finalmente, explica por qué la alianza eligió justamente estos aspectos para confrontarse con los adversarios y, por otro lado, de qué forma estos permanecieron vigentes después de la victoria pírrica de Vicente Guerrero.
Prácticas académicas y producción de saber de los intelectuales de izquierda en la Universidad argentina, 1900-1930
Authors: Graciano Osvaldo
Published: January 2016

En las primeras décadas del siglo xx fue visible en Argentina la vinculación de estudiantes, profesionales y de algunos profesores universitarios con las izquierdas, como también lo fue la incorporación en las universidades de docentes que integraban las filas del Partido Socialista. El objetivo de este artículo es reconstruir los rasgos que asumió la experiencia de participación académica y de docencia universitaria de los intelectuales socialistas, focalizando la atención en los casos de Alfredo Palacios, Enrique del Valle Iberlucea y Enrique Mouchet, quienes en esos años habían logrado una importante posición como dirigentes de este partido. Se analizarán así las condiciones de su acceso a la cátedra, su práctica académica, el tipo de trabajo científico llevado adelante por estos profesores y la producción de saber que generaron en su labor universitaria, evaluando los fundamentos de su trabajo científico.
Errata: Aves raras en Ecuador: Primer informe anual del Comité Ecuatoriano de Ornitológicos (CERO). Publicado en Avances en Ciencias e Ingenierías, 2013, Vol. 5, No. 2, Pags. B24-B41
Authors: Freile Juan F. , Ahlman Roger , Brinkhuizen Dušan Milan , Greenfield Paul J. , Solano-Ugalde Alejandro , Navarrete Lelis , Ridgely Robert Sterling
Published: January 2016

Pag. B24. Abstract, line 5: first voucher documentation for 10 species.Pag. B26. Figure 1 caption. Photo b) Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris at Micacocha (D. M. Brinkhuizen); photo c) A. collaris at La Segua (R. Ahlman).Pag. B26. Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera was reported on 1 June 2003, not 1 January 2003.Pag. B28. Figure 3 caption. h) Grey-hooded Gull, not Grey-headed Gull; i) Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex (R. Ahlman); j) Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia (R. Ahlman).Pag. B29. Figure 4 caption. e) and f) Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus; g) Swainson’s Flycatcher M. swainsoni. For photo f), the correct photograph is:Pag. B30. Table 1 corresponds to Table 2 as cited in text.Pag. B31. Table 2 corresponds to Table 1 as cited in text.Pag. B33. Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata, line 3: (Figure 2i); line 13: (Figure 2h).Pag. B34. Pearly-breasted Cuckoo heading: 28 March 2008, not 38 March 2008.Pag. B36. White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, not Pygmytyrant.Pag. B36. Swainson’s Flycatcher Myiarchus swainsoni, line 2: (Figure 4g).Pag. B37. Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus, line 4: (Figures 4e, 4f).Pag. B39. Rejected records, line 2: (Table 2), not (Table 1).
Descripción del llamado de advertencia de Noblella lochites (Anura: Craugastoridae)
Authors: Batallas R. Diego , Brito M. Jorge
Published: January 2016

Presentamos la primera descripción del llamado de advertencia de Noblella lochites sobre la base de grabaciones obtenidas en la Cordillera del Cóndor, provincia de Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador. El llamado de N. lochites está conformado por 6-8 notas pulsadas de 369-537 ms, con una frecuencia dominante de 3.51-3.93 kHz. Variación en el número de notas pulsadas en individuos en cautiverio sugiere que las ranas del género Noblella pueden tener complejas respuestas a situaciones de estrés.
Evaluación nutricional de la pasta de ajonjolí (Sesamum indicum L.) como sustituto de la pasta de soya en el crecimiento de codornices (Coturnix coturnix)
Authors: Chiriboga Gabriela , Uzcátegui Eduardo , De la Torre Raúl
Published: January 2016

Se evaluó la pasta de ajonjolí como sustituto parcial de la pasta de soya en raciones alimenticias de codornices en un experimento en el que se probaron cuatro dietas (tratamientos): Tratamiento 1: dieta testigo (0% pasta de ajonjolí); Tratamiento 2: dieta con sustitución del 25% de la pasta de soya por pasta de ajonjolí; Tratamiento 3: sustitución del 50% de la pasta de soya por pasta de ajonjolí; Tratamiento 4: sustitución del 75% de la pasta de soya por pasta de ajonjolí. Se conformaron cuatro grupos de 50 aves de un día de edad y cada uno recibió una de las cuatro dietas ad libitum durante 5 semanas. En un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial (4x5, 4 tratamientos y 5 semanas) se midieron el consumo de alimento, ganancia de peso, conversión alimenticia y mortalidad. La dieta del tratamiento 4 fue la menos consumida a lo largo del experimento, mientras la dieta del tratamiento 2 registró el mayor consumo promedio semanal por ave, ambos significativamente diferentes de los demás (P<.01). La ganancia de peso por animal fue notablemente inferior en las aves del tratamiento 4 y significativamente mayor en las aves del tratamiento 1 (P<.01), por lo que el índice de conversión alimenticia del tratamiento 4 resultó ser el más alto y, por ende, el menos eficiente (P<.05) al requerir mayor cantidad de alimento para convertirlo en peso vivo. Este índice de conversión de la dieta testigo, fue significativamente más bajo que en los tratamientos 3 y 4, sin diferir del obtenido en el tratamiento 2, demostrando que el contenido de pasta de ajonjolí reduce la conversión alimenticia en niveles superiores al 25% de sustitución de la pasta de soya.La mortalidad de las aves fue un tanto mayor que la normal y no estuvo influenciada por el nivel de pasta de ajonjolí en el alimento, puesto que la pérdida de aves fue similar en todos los grupos.La deficiencia de lisina en las dietas que contenían pasta de ajonjolí podría explicar el menor desempeño de las codornices alimentadas con estas dietas.
Caracterización de las bacterias ácido lácticas aisladas de alimentos fermentados radicionales del Ecuador
Authors: Guamán Linda , Zapata Sonia , Serrano Mariela , Trueba P. Gabriel A.
Published: January 2016

En 20 provincias ecuatorianas, se colectaron 91 muestras de alimentos fermentados preparados de forma artesanal con el objetivo de identificar cepas con uso potencial en la producción de alimentos fermentados. Se aislaron 119 cepas que fueron caracterizadas a través de pruebas fenotípicas y secuenciamiento del ADN ribosomal 16S. Del total de cepas aisladas, 47% fueron Lactobacillus sp. heterofermentadores facultativos, 31% fueron cocos homofermentadores pertenecientes a los géneros Pediococcus, Lactococcus y Enterococcus, 11% fueron Lactobacillus sp. heterofermentadores obligados y el 11% restante cocos heterofermentadores de los géneros Weissella y Leuconostoc. Algunas cepas presentaron ciertas propiedades con posible aplicación en la industria alimentaria como actividad caseinolítica y la producción exopolisacárido y bacteriocinas.
Análisis de la fidelidad de sitio entre machos y hembras de ballenas jorobadas que visitan las costas de Esmeraldas (Ecuador)
Authors: Rojas Karla , Denkinger Judith , Arahana B. Venancio S. , Dalgo Denisse , Torres P. María de Lourdes
Published: January 2016

La ballena jorobada (Megaptera novaeangliae) migra en todos los océanos del mundo desde sus zonas de alimentación en aguas polares a zonas de reproducción en aguas tropicales. Aunque esta especie es predecible en sus áreas de ocurrencia, son aún poco conocidos varios aspectos de la migración de la ballena jorobada. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar las diferencias de fidelidad de sitio entre machos y hembras de ballenas jorobadas que visitaron las costas de Esmeraldas (Ecuador) durante las temporadas 2010, 2011 y 2012. Un total de 57 muestras de piel de ballena se obtuvieron mediante un sistema de toma de biopsias. Para la determinación del sexo se utilizó los primers SFY1204 y SFY0097. Una sección variable de la región control del ADN mitocondrial (D-loop) se amplificó mediante PCR y secuenció para analizar los haplotipos presentes. De las muestras de ballenas jorobadas analizadas se determinó que 12 correspondieron a hembras y 44 a machos, y se identificó un total de 23 haplotipos diferentes. Al realizar un análisis de varianza molecular (AMOVA), se encontró que los machos presentaban una mayor fidelidad de sitio, a pesar de una diferencia notable en la frecuencia de haplotipos y composición de nucleótidos entre machos de las temporadas 2010 y 2011. Esta diferencia no se encontró entre las temporadas 2010-2012 ni 2011-2012, posiblemente porque las muestras del 2010 fueron recolectadas en Agosto, cuando los machos se quedan en grupos residentes, mientras que las muestras del 2011 fueron recolectados en Julio cuando la mayoría de machos están en tránsito hacia áreas de reproducción en el norte como Panamá y Costa Rica. Las hembras no mostraron diferencias significativas en la frecuencia de haplotipos y composición de nucleótidos, a pesar de que en las hembras de las temporadas 2010 y 2012 se compartió un solo haplotipo. Estos resultados, pueden deberse al limitado número de muestras de ballenas jorobadas hembras. Estos hallazgos pueden sugerir que a pesar de que las ballenas jorobadas machos se dispersan desde las zonas de reproducción al sur del Ecuador hasta el norte de Costa Rica, regresan cada año a su zona de reproducción originaria. Por otro lado, las hembras posiblemente permanecen en años alternos en los sitios de alimentación para recuperarse de los gastos energéticos de la gestación y lactancia.
Caracterización química y microbiológica del kéfir de agua artesanal de origen ecuatoriano
Authors: Monar Miguel , Dávalos Irene , Zapata Sonia , Caviedes Mario , Ramírez-Cárdenas Lucía
Published: January 2016

El kéfir de agua es una bebida fermentada elaborada de forma casera a la cual se le atribuye ciertas propiedades probióticas. En este estudio se determinaron los cambios de acidez y oBrix del Kéfir de agua artesanal de origen ecuatoriano, elaborado con tres tipos de endulzantes (panela, miel de abeja y azúcar blanca granulada), a diferentes tiempos de fermentación (24, 48 y 72 horas), siendo los tratamientos dispuestos en el diseño en bloques completamente al azar, con arreglo factorial 32. Un grupo focal evaluó los prototipos y seleccionó tres debido a sus características sensoriales, midiéndose también la acidez y oBrix para obtener las especificaciones químicas. De acuerdo a la ponderación de las variables de respuesta se escogieron dos tratamientos para recuento microbiano. El tratamiento con mayor aceptación debido a sus características químicas, microbiológicas y sensoriales fue el de miel de abeja a las 48 h de fermentación. La caracterización fenotípica y genotípica (ADNr 16S) de la microbiota indicó la presencia de Leuconostoc holzapfelii, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides y Saccharomyces cerevisiae lo que podría conferir características probióticas al kéfir de agua.
Survey of Urban Geographical Environment Research Based on Urban Planning and Land-use
Authors: Kong Yuanyuan , Xu Gang , Yang Juan , Liu Cheng , Cheng Zhongling
Published: January 2016

Every city was constructed on a region with special geomorphology. The construction and development of the city was based on it. The relationship between urban geographical environment and urban planning was intimate. This paper gave a brief introduction of the history and development of the urban geological research, urban geographical research, urban geomorphic disasters research and urban geographical environmental quality comprehensive assessment research based on the condition of urban planning and land-use. At last, the problem and the trend of urban geographical environment research were discussed.
Factories: Getting Rid Of Learning
Authors: Jackson Allen , Gaudet Laura
Published: January 2016

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has been the main focus of educational debate since we entered the 21st Century. It has left educators in dispute about the reasonableness of federally-ordered reforms and the necessity for holding all students to the same academic standards. The 2001 legislation expanded the federal government’s role in public education and required greater school accountability and teacher qualifications with little concern for mandate funding. The NCLB requirements have resulted in larger public schools and rural school consolidation. This development has placed unnecessary burden on public schools and has forced many districts to eliminate educational programming. This article will discuss the ramifications of NCLB in public school settings, as well as the specific problems of schools in rural areas.
An Overview Of Fiduciary Standards And Suitability For Financial Planning Students
Authors: Chong James T. , Jennings Penelope R. , Phillips G. Michael
Published: January 2016

Financial planning is an interdisciplinary field including finance and business law topics. Consequently, standard pedagogical resources often omit topics that fall between these fields. To address a key gap in educational materials for financial planning students and faculty, this article reviews recent regulatory developments for financial planning students, including strengthened fiduciary standards and FINRA suitability requirements. The discussion introduces FINRA 2090, FINRA 2111, the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, and other widely adopted fiduciary-oriented model laws. The article concludes with a discussion of implications for financial planning professors and students.
Study on an effective industrial waste-based adsorbent for the adsorptive removal of phosphorus from wastewater: equilibrium and kinetics studies
Authors: Xie Ruzhen , Chen Yao , Cheng Ting , Lai Yuguo , Jiang Wenju , Yang Zhishan
Published: January 2016

In this work, an effective adsorbent for removing phosphate from aqueous solution was developed from modifying industrial waste — lithium silica fume (LSF). The characterization of LSF before and after modification was investigated using an N2 adsorption–desorption technique (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Studies were conducted to investigate the effect of adsorbent dose, initial solution pH, contact time, phosphate concentration, and temperature on phosphate removal using this novel adsorbent. The specific surface area for modified LSF (LLSF) is 24.4024 m2/g, improved 69.8% compared with unmodified LSF. XRD result suggests that the lanthanum phosphate complex was formed on the surface of LLSF. The maximum phosphate adsorption capacity was 24.096 mg P/g for LLSF, and phosphate removal was favored in the pH range of 3–8. The kinetic data fitted pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, intra-particle diffusion was not the only rate controlling step. The adsorption isotherm results illustrated that the Langmuir model provided the best fit for the equilibrium data. The change in free energy (△G0), enthalpy (△H0) and entropy (△S0) revealed that the adsorption of phosphate on LLSF was spontaneous and endothermic. It was concluded that by modifying with lanthanum, LSF can be turned to be a highly efficient adsorbent in phosphate removal.
Facile synthesis of TiO2-RGO composite with enhanced performance for the photocatalytic mineralization of organic pollutants
Authors: Nainani Roshan K. , Thakur Pragati
Published: January 2016

Current research reports the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-TiO2 nanocomposite by in-situ redox method and graphene oxide by modified hummers method. The ratio of RGO and TiO2 in the composite was optimized to show best photocatalytic activity for the degradation of targeted pollutants. Optimized (1:10) RGO-TiO2 nanocomposite was characterized by various techniques viz. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (BET), Raman and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) technique confirming successful formation of nanocomposite. XRD results confirm the presence of anatase phase in RGO-TiO2. Uniform dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles on RGO could be seen from TEM images. The obtained results of (1:10) RGO-TiO2 showed five-fold and two-fold enhancement for the visible light and UV light, respectively, for the photocatalytic mineralization of methylene blue dye as compared to commercial Aeroxide P25 TiO2. The excellent photocatalytic mineralization activity of (1:10) RGO-TiO2 could be attributed to the enhanced surface area of composite as well as to its good electron sink capability. (1:10) RGO-TiO2 could be recycled easily and was found to be equally efficient even after the fourth cycle for the photocatalytic mineralization of methylene blue dye. The non-selectivity of synthesized composite was checked by the mineralization studies of oxalic acid.
Comparison of multi-enzyme and thermophilic bacteria on the hydrolysis of mariculture organic waste (MOW)
Authors: Guo Liang , Sun Mei , Zong Yan , Zhao Yangguo , Gao Mengchun , She Zonglian
Published: January 2016

Mariculture organic waste (MOW) is rich in organic matter, which is a potential energy resource for anaerobic digestion. In order to enhance the anaerobic fermentation, the MOW was hydrolyzed by multi-enzyme and thermophilic bacteria. It was advantageous for soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) release at MOW concentrations of 6 and 10 g/L with multi-enzyme and thermophilic bacteria pretreatments. For multi-enzyme, the hydrolysis was not obvious at substrate concentrations of 1 and 3 g/L, and the protein and carbohydrate increased with hydrolysis time at substrate concentrations of 6 and 10 g/L. For thermophilic bacteria, the carbohydrate was first released at 2–4 h and then consumed, and the protein increased with hydrolysis time. The optimal enzyme hydrolysis for MOW was determined by measuring the changes of SCOD, protein, carbohydrate, ammonia and total phosphorus, and comparing with acid and alkaline pretreatments.
Perforated coins from graves at the Viminacium necropolis of Vise Grobalja
Authors: Vojvoda Mirjana
Published: January 2016

A common problem that occurs when interpreting finds of perforated Roman
coins is whether they had been perforated in Roman times or later. Hence, the
specimens that originate from an undisturbed archaeological context, as is
the case with finds from the Viminacium necropolis of Vise Grobalja, are
indispensable. A total of 47 perforated coins were discovered: 31 with a
single and 16 with three perforations. The analysis of the context of the
finds, in some specimens, allows the confident assertion that they had
constituted a part of jewellery.
The Roman mining legislation of the Late Empire
Authors: Sajin Zeljka
Published: January 2016

The tenth book of the Theodosian Code provides a valuable insight into the
different aspects of mining exploitation during the Late Roman Empire. The
main issue was a shortage of mining labour. According to Constantine?s fiscal
policy, miners were permanently tied to their profession. They had the right
to sell their property, loca metallica, but under difficult conditions. The
forced mining labour was passed over from them to the potential buyers. Over
time, miners became tied to the place of their origin and their children had
to take on their fathers? professions. The continuous invasions of the
barbarian tribes as well as the suffered losses encouraged miners, in spite
of the prohibition, to escape their duties and leave their homes. The miners
from Gaul were desperately trying to escape to Sardinia in order to find
better working conditions. Those in the eastern part of the Empire tried to
acquire the status of colons inhabiting private landowners? estates. The flow
of escaping miners became a regular occurrence and the Roman emperors
introduced laws which penalised anyone found harbouring miners. The
unsatisfactory application of the imperial edicts resulted in a series of new
edicts aimed at addressing the same problem. The warning given to the local
judges by Emperor Gratian in his decree declared in 378. AD clearly shows
that the imperial edicts were not regularly applied in practice. The
following period would be marked with new invasions that would have serious
consequences on the mining exploitation and make the control of different
social categories and state officials even more difficult.
Bronze flagon from Pontes with an inscription from the 29th Psalm of David
Authors: Popovic Ivana
Published: January 2016

During the campaign which took place in 1983 at the site of Pontes - Trajan?s
Bridge near Kostol, in the layer between a house from the second half of the
9th century and a house from the 11th century, a treasury consisting of
medieval iron tools placed around, or inserted into, a bronze flagon was
discovered in a shallow pit. The whole find was named Treasury B. At first,
the flagon itself was dated into the period between the 6th and the 8th
centuries, however, we have recently dated it into the 6th-7th century. The
inscription on the neck of the vessel is a paraphrase of the 3rd verse from
the 29th Psalm of David. This is proof that the flagon was a liturgical
vessel. In this text we are trying to show that this flagon was analogous to
the specimen from the treasury from Vrap in Albania, whose deposition during
the third part of the 7th century is connected with the activity of Bulgarian
Khan Kuber. The Byzantine vessel was a part of treasure plundered from the
Avars, and the production of this flagon, just as of that one from Pontes,
can be dated into the period between the 6th century and the first half or
the middle of the 7th century.
Settlements and necropolises of the Early Iron Age along the middle course of the Nisava river
Authors: Kapuran Aleksandar , Blagojevic Mirjana , Bizjak Dragica
Published: January 2016

As a result of the rescue archaeological investigations conducted along the
E-80 motorway route, around the middle course of the Nisava river, from
Sicevo Gorge to Dimitrovgrad, several sites from the Early Iron Age were
discovered. At the same time, two caves located on the margins of this
natural transportation route which links the Morava Valley and the Sofia
Basin were explored. This paper comprises all the relevant finds of the
material culture from Bela Palanka, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad, and sepulchral
architecture and funerary customs practised during Hallstatt C and D. The aim
of the paper is to indicate the influences of the Basarabi and Psenicevo
material culture in the territories assumed to have been inhabited by the
Thracian and Illyrian tribes, which may help with the more accurate
pinpointing of the demarcations between the Triballi, Thracians and
Paeonians.
Orthodox culture in a secular state: Legal and political instruments of educational and cultural policies in Serbia
Authors: Djukic Vesna , Djukic Biljana
Published: January 2016

The topic of the paper is the relationship of the secular state towards the
Orthodox culture in Serbia during the 20th and 21st centuries. Basic research
problem is a usability of cultural values of Orthodoxy in contemporary Serbia
after a period of antireligious propaganda in Yugoslavia. Therefore, the
research is focused on the question of whether secular state legal and
political instruments encourage or limit the protection, preservation, and
the inclusion of Orthodox culture in the cultural life of the majority of the
Serbian people on the territory of Serbia. Basic methods of empirical
research is the media archeology applied in order to establish how much
relevant data are available on-line. The survey results show a lack of
participatory mechanisms of decision making on key issues of cultural life
and cultural development, which is reduced to the secular dimension of
culture. Therefore, the contemporary cultural policy mainly relates to the
protection and preservation of the Orthodox cultural heritage, while in the
arts, creativity and in?novation, there are no systemic solutions that
encourage generic potential of Orthodox culture and influence the development
of human capabilities in accordance with the Orthodox Christian values.
Microarray-Based Screening of Differentially Expressed Genes of E. coli O157:H7 Sakai during Preharvest Survival on Butterhead Lettuce
Authors: Van der Linden Inge , Cottyn Bart , Uyttendaele Mieke , Vlaemynck Geertrui , Heyndrickx Marc , Maes Martine , Holden Nicola
Published: January 2016

Numerous outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 have been linked to the consumption of leafy vegetables. However, up to the present, little has been known about E. coli O157:H7’s adaptive responses to survival on actively growing (and thus responsive) plants. In this study, whole genome transcriptional profiles were generated from E. coli O157:H7 cells (isolate Sakai, stx-) one hour and two days after inoculation on the leaves of growing butterhead lettuce, and compared with an inoculum control. A total of 273 genes of E. coli O157:H7 Sakai (5.04% of the whole genome) were significantly induced or repressed by at least two-fold (p < 0.01) in at least one of the analyzed time points in comparison with the control. Several E. coli O157:H7 genes associated with oxidative stress and antimicrobial resistance were upregulated, including the iron-sulfur cluster and the multiple antibiotic resistance (mar) operon, whereas the Shiga toxin virulence genes were downregulated. Nearly 40% of the genes with significantly different expression were poorly characterized genes or genes with unknown functions. These genes are of special interest for future research as they may play an important role in the pathogens’ adaptation to a lifestyle on plants. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the pathogen actively interacts with the plant environment by adapting its metabolism and responding to oxidative stress.
Modelling the Spread of River Blindness Disease via the Caputo Fractional Derivative and the Beta-derivative
Authors: Atangana Abdon , Alqahtani Rubayyi
Published: January 2016

Information theory is used in many branches of science and technology. For instance, to inform a set of human beings living in a particular region about the fatality of a disease, one makes use of existing information and then converts it into a mathematical equation for prediction. In this work, a model of the well-known river blindness disease is created via the Caputo and beta derivatives. A partial study of stability analysis was presented. The extended system describing the spread of this disease was solved via two analytical techniques: the Laplace perturbation and the homotopy decomposition methods. Summaries of the iteration methods used were provided to derive special solutions to the extended systems. Employing some theoretical parameters, we present some numerical simulations.
Modeling GATAD1-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Adult Zebrafish
Authors: Yang Jingchun , Shah Sahrish , Olson Timothy , Xu Xiaolei
Published: January 2016

Animal models have played a critical role in validating human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) genes, particularly those that implicate novel mechanisms for heart failure. However, the disease phenotype may be delayed due to age-dependent penetrance. For this reason, we generated an adult zebrafish model, which is a simpler vertebrate model with higher throughput than rodents. Specifically, we studied the zebrafish homologue of GATAD1, a recently identified gene for adult-onset autosomal recessive DCM. We showed cardiac expression of gatad1 transcripts, by whole mount in situ hybridization in zebrafish embryos, and demonstrated nuclear and sarcomeric I-band subcellular localization of Gatad1 protein in cardiomyocytes, by injecting a Tol2 plasmid encoding fluorescently-tagged Gatad1. We next generated gatad1 knock-out fish lines by TALEN technology and a transgenic fish line that expresses the human DCM GATAD1-S102P mutation in cardiomyocytes. Under stress conditions, longitudinal studies uncovered heart failure (HF)-like phenotypes in stable KO mutants and a tendency toward HF phenotypes in transgenic lines. Based on these efforts of studying a gene-based inherited cardiomyopathy model, we discuss the strengths and bottlenecks of adult zebrafish as a new vertebrate model for assessing candidate cardiomyopathy genes.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Breast Cancer
Authors: Wu Yanyuan , Sarkissyan Marianna , Vadgama Jaydutt
Published: January 2016

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and distant site metastasis is the main cause of death in breast cancer patients. There is increasing evidence supporting the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cell progression, invasion, and metastasis. During the process of EMT, epithelial cancer cells acquire molecular alternations that facilitate the loss of epithelial features and gain of mesenchymal phenotype. Such transformation promotes cancer cell migration and invasion. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that EMT is associated with the increased enrichment of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and these CSCs display mesenchymal characteristics that are resistant to chemotherapy and target therapy. However, the clinical relevance of EMT in human cancer is still under debate. This review will provide an overview of current evidence of EMT from studies using clinical human breast cancer tissues and its associated challenges.
Learning and Memory Recoveries in a Young Girl Treated with Growth Hormone and Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Devesa Jesús , Lema Hortensia , Zas Eva , Munín Borja , Taboada Pilar , Devesa Pablo
Published: January 2016

Background—To describe the results obtained after treating a non growth hormone-deficient 10-year-old girl who suffered asphyxia during delivery, resulting in important cognitive deficits, with growth hormone (GH) and neurorehabilitation. Methods—GH was administered (mg/day) at doses of 0.5 over three months followed by 0.9, every two weeks over three months, and then alternating 1.2 three days/week and 0.3 two days/week. Neurorehabilitation consisted of daily sessions of neurostimulation, speech therapy, occupational therapy and auditive stimulation. Treatment lasted nine months. Results—Scores obtained in all the areas treated showed that, at discharge, the patient clearly increased her cognitive abilities, memory and language competence index; her intelligence quotient score increased from 51 to 80, and the index of functional independence measure reached a value of 120 over 126 (maximal value). Conclusions—This case suggests that GH administration may play a role in improving cognitive deficits during neurorehabilitation in children with brain damage suffered during delivery. This agrees with the known effects of GH on cognition.
Eicosopentaneoic Acid and Other Free Fatty Acid Receptor Agonists Inhibit Lysophosphatidic Acid- and Epidermal Growth Factor-Induced Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Hopkins Mandi , Zhang Zhihong , Liu Ze , Meier Kathryn
Published: January 2016

Many key actions of ω-3 (n-3) fatty acids have recently been shown to be mediated by two G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the free fatty acid receptor (FFAR) family, FFA1 (GPR40) and FFA4 (GPR120). n-3 Fatty acids inhibit proliferation of human breast cancer cells in culture and in animals. In the current study, the roles of FFA1 and FFA4 were investigated. In addition, the role of cross-talk between GPCRs activated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), and the tyrosine kinase receptor activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF), was examined. In MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines, both LPA and EGF stimulated proliferation, Erk activation, Akt activation, and CCN1 induction. LPA antagonists blocked effects of LPA and EGF on proliferation in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and on cell migration in MCF-7. The n-3 fatty acid eicosopentaneoic acid inhibited LPA- and EGF-induced proliferation in both cell lines. Two synthetic FFAR agonists, GW9508 and TUG-891, likewise inhibited LPA- and EGF-induced proliferation. The data suggest a major role for FFA1, which was expressed by both cell lines. The results indicate that n-3 fatty acids inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation via FFARs, and suggest a mechanism involving negative cross-talk between FFARS, LPA receptors, and EGF receptor.
Properties of Non-Structural Concrete Made with Mixed Recycled Aggregates and Low Cement Content
Authors: López-Uceda Antonio , Ayuso Jesús , López Martin , Jimenez José , Agrela Francisco , Sierra María
Published: January 2016

In spite of not being legally accepted in most countries, mixed recycled aggregates (MRA) could be a suitable raw material for concrete manufacturing. The aims of this research were as follows: (i) to analyze the effect of the replacement ratio of natural coarse aggregates with MRA, the amount of ceramic particles in MRA, and the amount of cement, on the mechanical and physical properties of a non-structural concrete made with a low cement content; and (ii) to verify if it is possible to achieve a low-strength concrete that replaces a greater amount of natural aggregate with MRA and that has a low cement content. Two series of concrete mixes were manufactured using 180 and 200 kg/m3 of CEM II/A-V 42.5 R type Portland cement. Each series included seven concrete mixes: one with natural aggregates; two MRA with different ceramic particle contents; and one for each coarse aggregate replacement ratio (20%, 40%, and 100%). To study their properties, compressive and splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, density, porosity, water penetration, and sorptivity, tests were performed. The results confirmed that the main factors affecting the properties analyzed in this research are the amount of cement and the replacement ratio; the two MRAs used in this work presented a similar influence on the properties. A non-structural, low-strength concrete (15 MPa) with an MRA replacement ratio of up to 100% for 200 kg/m3 of cement was obtained. This type of concrete could be applied in the construction of ditches, sidewalks, and other similar civil works.
Electrochemical Properties of LLTO/Fluoropolymer-Shell Cellulose-Core Fibrous Membrane for Separator of High Performance Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Huang Fenglin , Liu Wenting , Li Peiying , Ning Jinxia , Wei Qufu
Published: January 2016

A superfine Li0.33La0.557TiO3 (LLTO, 69.4 nm) was successfully synthesized by a facile solvent-thermal method to enhance the electrochemical properties of the lithium-ion battery separator. Co-axial nanofiber of cellulose and Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) was prepared by a co-axial electrospinning technique, in which the shell material was PVDF-HFP and the core was cellulose. LLTO superfine nanoparticles were incorporated into the shell of the PVDF-HFP. The core–shell composite nanofibrous membrane showed good wettability (16.5°, contact angle), high porosity (69.77%), and super electrolyte compatibility (497%, electrolyte uptake). It had a higher ionic conductivity (13.897 mS·cm−1) than those of pure polymer fibrous membrane and commercial separator. In addition, the rate capability (155.56 mAh·g−1) was also superior to the compared separator. These excellent performances endowed LLTO composite nanofibrous membrane as a promising separator for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
Impact of the Use of a Standardized Guidance Tool on the Development of a Teaching Philosophy in a Pharmacy Residency Teaching and Learning Curriculum Program
Authors: Wesner Amber , Jones Ryan , Schultz Karen , Johnson Mark
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a standardized reflection tool on the development of a teaching philosophy statement in a pharmacy residency teaching and learning curriculum program (RTLCP). Pharmacy residents participating in the RTLCP over a two-year period were surveyed using a pre/post method to assess perceptions of teaching philosophy development before and after using the tool. Responses were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale to indicate level of agreement with each statement. For analysis, responses were divided into high (strongly agree/agree) and low (neutral/disagree/strongly disagree) agreement. The level of agreement increased significantly for all items surveyed (p < 0.05), with the exception of one area pertaining to the ability to describe characteristics of outstanding teachers, which was noted to be strong before and after using the tool (p = 0.5027). Overall results were positive, with 81% of participants responding that the reflection tool was helpful in developing a teaching philosophy, and 96% responding that the resulting teaching philosophy statement fully reflected their views on teaching and learning. The standardized reflection tool developed at Shenandoah University assisted pharmacy residents enrolled in a teaching and learning curriculum program to draft a comprehensive teaching philosophy statement, and was well received by participants.
Highly Active and Isospecific Styrene Polymerization Catalyzed by Zirconium Complexes Bearing Aryl-substituted [OSSO]-Type Bis(phenolate) Ligands
Authors: Nakata Norio , Toda Tomoyuki , Saito Yusuke , Watanabe Takanori , Ishii Akihiko
Published: January 2016

[OSSO]-type dibenzyl zirconium(IV) complexes 9 and 10 possessing aryl substituents ortho to the phenoxide moieties (ortho substituents, phenyl and 2,6-dimethylphenyl (Dmp)) were synthesized and characterized. Upon activation with dMAO (dried methylaluminoxane), complex 9 was found to promote highly isospecific styrene polymerizations ([mm] = 97.5%–99%) with high molecular weights Mw up to 181,000 g·mmol−1. When the Dmp-substituted pre-catalyst 10/dMAO system was used, the highest activity, over 7700 g·mmol(10)−1·h−1, was recorded involving the formation of precisely isospecific polystyrenes of [mm] more than 99%.
Quantitative Estimation of the Velocity of Urbanization in China Using Nighttime Luminosity Data
Authors: Ma Ting , Yin Zhan , Li Baolin , Zhou Chenghu , Haynie Susan
Published: January 2016

Rapid urbanization with sizeable enhancements of urban population and built-up land in China creates challenging planning and management issues due to the complexity of both the urban development and the socioeconomic drivers of environmental change. Improved understanding of spatio-temporal characteristics of urbanization processes are increasingly important for investigating urban expansion and environmental responses to corresponding socioeconomic and landscape dynamics. In this study, we present an artificial luminosity-derived index of the velocity of urbanization, defined as the ratio of temporal trend and spatial gradient of mean annual stable nighttime brightness, to estimate the pace of urbanization and consequent changes in land cover in China for the period of 2000–2010. Using the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program–derived time series of nighttime light data and corresponding satellite-based land cover maps, our results show that the geometric mean velocity of urban dispersal at the country level was 0.21 km·yr−1 across 88.58 × 103 km2 urbanizing areas, in which ~23% of areas originally made of natural and cultivated lands were converted to artificial surfaces between 2000 and 2010. The speed of urbanization varies among urban agglomerations and cities with different development stages and urban forms. Particularly, the Yangtze River Delta conurbation shows the fastest (0.39 km·yr−1) and most extensive (16.12 × 103 km2) urban growth in China over the 10-year period. Moreover, if the current velocity holds, our estimates suggest that an additional 13.29 × 103 km2 in land area will be converted to human-built features while high density socioeconomic activities across the current urbanizing regions and urbanized areas will greatly increase from 52.44 × 103 km2 in 2010 to 62.73 × 103 km2 in China’s mainland during the next several decades. Our findings may provide potential insights into the pace of urbanization in China, its impacts on land changes, and accompanying alterations in environment and ecosystems in a spatially and temporally explicit manner.
On the Boundedness and Symmetry Properties of the Fractal Sets Generated from Alternated Complex Map
Authors: Wang Da , Liu ShuTang
Published: January 2016

A complex map can give rise to two kinds of fractal sets: the Julia sets and the parameters sets (or the connectivity loci) which represent different connectivity properties of the corresponding Julia sets. In the significative results of (Int. J. Bifurc. Chaos, 2009, 19:2123–2129) and (Nonlinear. Dyn. 2013, 73:1155–1163), the authors presented the two kinds of fractal sets of a class of alternated complex map and left some visually observations to be proved about the boundedness and symmetry properties of these fractal sets. In this paper, we improve the previous results by giving the strictly mathematical proofs of the two properties. Some simulations that verify the theoretical proofs are also included.
“Space, the Final Frontier”: How Good are Agent-Based Models at Simulating Individuals and Space in Cities?
Authors: Heppenstall Alison , Malleson Nick , Crooks Andrew
Published: January 2016

Cities are complex systems, comprising of many interacting parts. How we simulate and understand causality in urban systems is continually evolving. Over the last decade the agent-based modeling (ABM) paradigm has provided a new lens for understanding the effects of interactions of individuals and how through such interactions macro structures emerge, both in the social and physical environment of cities. However, such a paradigm has been hindered due to computational power and a lack of large fine scale datasets. Within the last few years we have witnessed a massive increase in computational processing power and storage, combined with the onset of Big Data. Today geographers find themselves in a data rich era. We now have access to a variety of data sources (e.g., social media, mobile phone data, etc.) that tells us how, and when, individuals are using urban spaces. These data raise several questions: can we effectively use them to understand and model cities as complex entities? How well have ABM approaches lent themselves to simulating the dynamics of urban processes? What has been, or will be, the influence of Big Data on increasing our ability to understand and simulate cities? What is the appropriate level of spatial analysis and time frame to model urban phenomena? Within this paper we discuss these questions using several examples of ABM applied to urban geography to begin a dialogue about the utility of ABM for urban modeling. The arguments that the paper raises are applicable across the wider research environment where researchers are considering using this approach.
DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A TRANSPORT COMPANY BY EVALUATING CONSUMERS NEEDS / TRANSPORTO ĮMONĖS KOKYBĖS VADYBOS SISTEMOS PROJEKTAVIMAS, ĮVERTINANT VARTOTOJŲ POREIKIUS
Authors: Sprogytė Indrė , Zinkevičiūtė Virgilija
Published: January 2016

The aim of each company is an efficient use of resources andimproving its services. In order to increase the company’s profitabilityand competitiveness, special attention must be paid toconsumers. The customers’ behavior and needs must be analysedto effectively create mutual benefits. Each transport companyseeks to introduce and successfully implement quality managementsystems. Therefore customer‘s needs must be examined.This analysis reveals which business processes of the companymust be improved, facilitates the improvement of those processes.Thus, it allows a company to ensure customer satisfaction andthe efficiency of processes while reducing all errors, saving costin the future. The main goal of this article is to analyse how theconsumers‘ needs determine the creation of a quality managementsystem in transport companies. The research methods used:scientific literature analysis, the questionnaire of the target group. Kiekvienos įmonės tikslas – efektyviau naudoti išteklius, patenkinti vartotojų poreikius ir siekti pelno. Siekiantvis didesnio įmonės pelningumo ir konkurencingumo daug dėmesio turi būti skiriama įmonės teikiamų paslaugų vartotojams.Abipusei naudai efektyviau kurti kiekvienai įmonei yra būtina žinoti jų elgseną, poreikius. Transporto įmonė – ne išimtis.Kiekviena transporto įmonė, siekianti įdiegti ir sėkmingai taikyti kokybės vadybos sistemas, privalo išanalizuoti vartotojųporeikius. Analizė atskleidžia tobulintinas įmonės veiklos procesų sritis ir palengvina numatomų patobulinimų įgyvendinimą.Tai svarbu siekiant užtikrintai patenkinti klientų poreikius, įmonę valdyti efektyviai, sumažinanti klaidų tikimybę ir sutaupytilėšų ateityje. Straipsnio tikslas – išanalizuoti, kaip vartotojų poreikiai lemia kokybės vadybos sistemos projektavimą transportoįmonėse. Taikyti šie tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros analizė, tikslinės vartotojų grupės anketinė apklausa.