bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biocontrol of Gray Mold Decay in Pear by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain BA3 and its Effect on Postharvest Quality Parameters
Authors: QU HUI , ZHAO LONGYU , ZHAO FENGCHUN , LIU YUFANG , YANG ZHENGYOU
Published: June 2016

The economic losses caused by postharvest fruits diseases have attracted global attention. Traditional chemical fungicide could not meet the need of humans. In recent years, microbial agent which has begun to take the place of chemical fungicide comes into people’s vision. The aim of this paper was to investigate the potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain BA3 for its biocontrol capability on gray mold decay of pears and its effect on postharvest quality of pears. Compared with other treatments, the inhibition effect on gray mold of washed cell suspension of B. amyloliquefaciens was the best. Consequently it was utilized in subsequent experiments. Spore germination and germ tube length of Botrytis cinerea was 18.72% and 12.85 μm treated with BA3, while the control group was 62.88% and 30.44 μm. We confirmed that increase of the concentration of B. amyloliquefaciens, improved the efficacy of BA3 in controlling gray mold decay of pears. Colonization variation of BA3 in wounds of pears was recorded. To begin with, the populations of B. amyloliquefaciens increased rapidly and remained stable. On the fourth day, there was a declining trend, after that the population increased to 4 × 105 CFU/wound and remained stable. BA3 had no significant effect on mass loss, titratable acidity, firmness and total soluble solids of pears that were stored at 25°C for 7 days comparing with control group. However, the effect of B. amyloliquefaciens on ascorbic acid was significantly higher than that of the control group. Our study indicates that B. amyloliquefaciens has a potential as postharvest biocontrol agent on pears.
Levels of Organic Compounds, Number of Microorganisms and Cadmium Accumulation in Festuca ovina Hydroponic Culture
Authors: MAJEWSKA MAŁGORZATA , SŁOMKA ANNA
Published: June 2016

Understanding the microbiological, biochemical and physiological aspects of phytoremediation of soil and water environments polluted to different degrees with heavy metals has very important theoretical and practical implications. In this study, a comparison was made between total cadmium concentration in root and shoot tissues as well as concentrations of particular fractions of Cd immobilized by roots of Festuca ovina (Sheep’s fescue) hydroponically cultivated in nutrient solutions supplemented with 1 μg Cd ml−1 and those cultivated at 10 μg Cd ml−1. After three weeks of F. ovina cultivation, the number of bacterial CFU and the amounts of organic chelators, siderophores, proteins and reducing sugars in the growth medium and on the root surface were higher at 10 than at 1 μg Cd ml−1. The grass also reacted to the high Cd concentration by a decrease in plant growth and dehydrogenase activity in root tissues. The concentration of Cd determined in fractions bound with different strength in roots was significantly dependent on Cd concentration in the growth medium. When the plants were grown at 1 μg Cd ml−1, 9% of the immobilized cadmium was loosely bound to the root surface, 20% was exchangeable adsorbed, and 28% was bound by chelation; at 10 μg Cd ml−1, the respective values were 12%, 25%, and 20%. About 43% of the immobilized cadmium remained in roots after sequential extraction, and bioaccumulation factors in shoots had the same values independently of Cd concentration.

At both Cd concentrations, the cadmium translocation index for F. ovina was low (< 1), which is why this grass can be recommended for phytostabilization of the metal under study.
Prevalence of Parasitic Contamination in Salad Vegetables Collected from Supermarkets and Street Vendors in Amman and Baqa’a – Jordan
Authors: ISMAIL YAZAN
Published: June 2016

One of the main ways in transmitting parasites to humans is through consuming contaminated raw vegetables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of parasitological contamination (helminthes eggs, Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica cysts) of salad vegetables sold at supermarkets and street vendors in Amman and Baqa’a – Jordan. A total of 133 samples of salad vegetables were collected and examined for the prevalence of parasites. It was found that 29% of the samples were contaminated with different parasites. Of the 30 lettuce, 33 tomato, 42 parsley and 28 cucumber samples examined the prevalence of Ascaris spp. eggs was 43%, 15%, 21% and 4%; Toxocara spp. eggs was 30%, 0%, 0% and 4%; Giardia spp. cysts was 23%, 6%, 0% and 0%; Taenia/Echinococcus eggs was 20%, 0%, 5% and 0%; Fasciola hepatica eggs was 13%, 3%, 2% and 0%; and E. histolytica cysts was 10%, 6%, 0% and 0%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of parasite in salad vegetables either between supermarkets and street vendors, or between Amman and Baqa’a, Ascaris spp. was found to be the highest prevalent parasite in salad vegetables from supermarkets and street vendors and from Amman and Baqa’a. Our results pointed out that, the parasitic contamination of salad vegetables found in our study might be caused by irrigating crops with faecal contaminated water. We concluded that salad vegetables sold in Amman and Baqa’a may cause a health risk to consumers.
Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Selected Bacterial Groups in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: ROSZAK DOROTA , GAŁĘCKA MIROSŁAWA , CICHY WOJCIECH , SZACHTA PATRYCJA
Published: June 2016

The aim of the study was evaluation of qualitative and quantitative changes in bacterial ecosystem in 109 children with inflammatory bowel diseases. Stools obtained from patients were analysed for selected bacteria and concentration of faecal inflammatory markers (calprotectin, lactoferrin, M2-PK). The number of selected microorganisms depends on the level of clinical activity of disease and is correlated with faecal concentration of inflammatory markers. Differences in microflora disturbance, observed in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, may suggest different causes of development of both pathologies.
Indoor Robot Positioning Using an Enhanced Trilateration Algorithm
Authors: Cotera Pablo , Velazquez Miguel , Cruz David , Medina Luis , Bandala Manuel
Published: June 2016

This paper presents algorithms implemented for positioning a wheeled robot on a production floor inside a factory by means of radio-frequency distance measurement and trilateration techniques. A set of radio-frequency transceivers located on the columns of the factory (anchors) create a grid with several triangular zones capable of measuring the line-of-sight distance between each anchor and the transceiver installed in the wheeled robot. After measuring only three of these distances (radii), an enhanced trilateration algorithm is applied to obtain X and Y coordinates in a Cartesian plane, i.e., the position of the robot on the factory floor. The embedded systems developed for the anchors and the robot are robust enough to establish communication, select the closest anchors for measuring radii, and identify in which of the grid zones the robot is located.
Embodied Language Learning and Cognitive Bootstrapping: Methods and Design Principles
Authors: Lyon Caroline , Nehaniv Chrystopher L. , Saunders Joe , Belpaeme Tony , Bisio Ambra , Fischer Kerstin , Förster Frank , Lehmann Hagen , Metta Giorgio , Mohan Vishwanathan , Morse Anthony , Nolfi Stefano , Nori Francesco , Rohlfing Katharina , Sciutti Alessandra , Tani Jun , Tuci Elio , Wrede Britta , Zeschel Arne , Cangelosi Angelo
Published: June 2016

Co-development of action, conceptualization and social interaction mutually scaffold and support each other within a virtuous feedback cycle in the development of human language in children. Within this framework, the purpose of this article is to bring together diverse but complementary accounts of research methods that jointly contribute to our understanding of cognitive development and in particular, language acquisition in robots. Thus, we include research pertaining to developmental robotics, cognitive science, psychology, linguistics and neuroscience, as well as practical computer science and engineering. The different studies are not at this stage all connected into a cohesive whole; rather, they are presented to illuminate the need for multiple different approaches that complement each other in the pursuit of understanding cognitive development in robots. Extensive experiments involving the humanoid robot iCub are reported, while human learning relevant to developmental robotics has also contributed useful results.

Disparate approaches are brought together via common underlying design principles. Without claiming to model human language acquisition directly, we are nonetheless inspired by analogous development in humans and consequently, our investigations include the parallel co-development of action, conceptualization and social interaction. Though these different approaches need to ultimately be integrated into a coherent, unified body of knowledge, progress is currently also being made by pursuing individual methods.
An Artificial Neural Network Model for a Wholesale Company's Order-Cycle Management
Authors: Sustrova Tereza
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this article is to verify the possibility of using artificial neural networks (ANN) in business management processes, primarily in the area of supply chain management. The author has designed several neural network models featuring different architectures to optimize the level of the company's inventory. The results of the research show that ANN can be used for managing a company's order cycle and lead to reduced levels of goods purchased and storage costs. Optimal neural networks show suitable results for subsequent prediction of the amount of items to be ordered and for achieving reduced inventory purchase and keeping costs down.
User-Centric Harmonized Control for Single Joint Assistive Exoskeletons
Authors: Haider Usman , Nyoman Indrawibawa I. , Coronado Juan Lopez , Kim Chanki , Virk Gurvinder S.
Published: June 2016

The world is ageing and this poses a challenge to produce cost-effective solutions that can keep elderly people independent and active by assisting them in daily living activities. In this regard, this paper presents a new control method to provide physical assistance for any of the user joints (e.g., hip, knee, elbow, etc.) as needed by the wearer, by means of an assistive non-medical single joint exoskeleton with a “harmonized controller” capable of providing assistance in a natural way, and varying the assistance as needed by the user performing some activity. The control method is aimed at exoskeletons to provide assistance to users facing difficulty in any activity such as walking, sit-to-stand, etc., and, other than providing assistance as needed, it can also reduce the muscular effort for a completely healthy user.

Harmonized control uses exoskeleton-integrated force sensors and motion sensors to identify the user's intentions and the assistance level required, generating appropriate control signals for the actuators by implementing a simple PID controller.

To verify the proposed harmonized-control technique, simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK were performed for a single joint system. An experimental test rig for a single joint was also developed using MATLAB Xpc Target for real-time control. User tests were also carried out for the knee joint and the results obtained from simulations, experimentation and user tests are reported and discussed here.

The results achieved to date and reported here show harmonized control to be a promising user-centric solution for the development of single joint assistive exoskeletons for support as needed by the user in daily living activities.
Leap Motion Device Used to Control a Real Anthropomorphic Gripper
Authors: Staretu Ionel , Moldovan Catalin
Published: June 2016

This paper presents for the first time the use of the Leap Motion device to control an anthropomorphic gripper with five fingers. First, a description of the Leap Motion device is presented, highlighting its main functional characteristics, followed by testing of its use for capturing the movements of a human hand's fingers in different configurations. Next, the HandCommander soft module and the Interface Controller application are described. The HandCommander is a software module created to facilitate interaction between a human hand and the GraspIT virtual environment, and the Interface Controller application is required to send motion data to the virtual environment and to test the communication protocol. For the test, a prototype of an anthropomorphic gripper with five fingers was made, including a proper hardware system of command and control, which is briefly presented in this paper. Following the creation of the prototype, the command system performance test was conducted under real conditions, evaluating the recognition efficiency of the objects to be gripped and the efficiency of the command and control strategies for the gripping process. The gripping test is exemplified by the gripping of an object, such as a screw spanner. It was found that the command system, both in terms of capturing human hand gestures with the Leap Motion device and effective object gripping, is operational. Suggestive figures are presented as examples.
Numenio, il platonismo e le tradizioni orientali
Authors: Bonazzi Mauro ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

Contrary to what is often assumed since the seminal studies of Puech, I argue that Numenius’ interest in Oriental Wisdom is part of his Platonist stance. The most important testimony is fr. 1a des Places, which shows that Plato is not only the reference‑point but also the criterion and measure to judge the truthfulness of the other philosophical traditions and religions. Numenius’ dualism therefore can be explained as an attempt to preserve the transcendence of the first principle, the typical problem of Middle Platonists as opposed to Hellenistic philosophies such as Stoicism.
Πατρογενὴς ὕλη. Au sujet du dualisme dans les Oracles Chaldaiques
Authors: Seng Helmut ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

The Chaldaean Oracles are works of Middle Platonist poetry in Greek dating from the late 2nd century AD and attributed to Julian the Theurgist, who may have produced them together with his father Julian the Chaldaean. Only fragments survive, most via late antique Neoplatonists, whose many and varied individual interpretations often deviate from any meaning possibly deducible from the primary text. The question of dualism in the Chaldaean Oracles can be seen from two perspectives. From an ethical point of view, man stands in the middle between the intelligible and the material and has to choose his way. The material world is described in negative terms as a kind of netherworld and a most dangerous dwelling‑place for man who is exposed to seduction by material pleasure and attacked by demons personifying the passions ; he should turn his mind towards the intelligible. From an ontological point of view, however, matter is not an autonomous (and evil) principle, but originates from the highest entity, the intelligible Father ; for this reason, it is called πατρογενής (although this might be an inference by the interpreters of the Oracles). Ethical dualism is thus combined with ontological monism. The Chaldaean notion of not two, but three worlds, material, ethereal, and fiery (= intelligible), as well as the idea that in special cases a material body might be transformed into an ethereal one, could be interpreted as a kind of mediation of the two positions.
Une substance, deux natures
Authors: Viano Cristina ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

In Greek alchemical texts, the dualism plays different roles. This paper’s purpose is to apply the category of “dualism” to the fundamental principle of transmutation, designated by most alchemists as “divine water” or “sulphur water” (theion hudôr). The analysis of this notion highlights the necessary shift from colouration to transmutation, a capital question in alchemy. In fact, it is both one of the most important ambiguities in alchemy and the focus of the relationship between theory and practice.
Les origines du dualisme mazdéen
Authors: Kellens Jean ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

The discussions about the origin of mazdean dualism are concentrated upon the interpretation of the Gathic stanza Y30.3 which opposes two mental powers called mainiiu and usually translated by «spirit». The divergence of the understandings led to a controversy on the nature of this dualistic opposition : is it philosophical, cosmic or religious ? Do these various distinctions remain relevant now we know that this stanza is not a piece of a sermon, but of a liturgical recitative ?
Le corps, lieu de conflit entre l’esprit et la chair
Authors: Marguerat Daniel ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

Pauline anthropology is of a fundamentally Hebrew nature : the body‑σῶμα is a holistic concept that designates man as creature in the world. The body is the way “I” is present in the world : man does not have a body, he is a body. Portraying the whole person, the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit”, the setting for a sacred presence that transcends humankind (1Cor 6 : 12‑20). However, this body is also the scene of a conflict between flesh and spirit. The flesh‑σάρξ concept does not apply to a part of man but to the whole of man as a precarious, fragile and mortal being. As such, the human being stands up as an enemy of God, taking his human condition on as the foundation of his values (Rom 8 : 5‑8). The Spirit‑πνεῦμα is God’s sphere of influence in the world, to which one becomes affiliated through his spirit. Flesh leads to death while the Spirit turns to life. These two forces compete for the human body. Yet, such a dualism is not by nature ontological but historical : one remains capable of choosing between remaining a prisoner of mortal flesh or letting the Spirit of God dwell in him (Rom 8 :10).
Heteros theos comme approche du dualisme dans la pensée d’Origene
Authors: Jurasz Izabela ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

Of all the approaches to the concept of dualism in Origen’s thought, this article concerns the issue which does not seem very obvious : his understanding of the expression heteros theos. Is it possible to call Jesus “the other God”, existing aside from the only God ? Thanks to the Dialogue with Heraclides, we can judge the profundity of the issue. According to the Dialogue, heteros theos resembles the language used by Marcion, in which “the other God” means the Demiurge, an antagonist of the merciful God. But the expression also invokes the Judeo‑Christian inspired Christology, in which “the other God” signifies a manifestation of the God Jehovah, or a secondary deity, subordinate to Jehovah. In his other writings, Origen usually avoids calling Christ heteros theos, precisely because of the similarity to marcionism and monarchianism. However, forced to resolve the theological problem presented in the Dialogue, Origen decides to explain the meaning of the term “heteros”. His explanations are inspired by Aristotle’s categories, much simplified and illustrated by examples from the Bible. Origen shows that “difference” can be understood as opposition, but there are other possible interpretations of the term. More than anything, it is relative towards a particular characteristic. Origen’s argumentation, in comparison with other discussions concerning the term (Justin Martyr and Tryphon, Peter and Simon the Magician), illustrates that the understanding of God as “different” may lead to the emergence of dualistic concepts, which are often very radical.
Dépasser le dualisme
Authors: Bochet Isabelle ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

The Augustinian definition of the concept of natura rules out any form of dualism : all nature depends on God, it is what God wanted ; but, in the case of man, nature changes according to the actual relation to God, just as the image of God in the soul can be distorted by sin or reshaped by grace. This historical conception of nature sets Augustine against the Manichaean and Pelagian conception of nature as a static datum.
Les enjeux du dualisme chez Hans Jonas
Authors: Frogneux Nathalie ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

This paper summarises the issues of dualism in the philosophy of Hans Jonas. Dualism was a central topic for him to understand gnosticism in late antiquity, and it became also a key concept to understand moral nihilism of the XXth century. Jonas demonstrates that Heidegger’s thought in Sein und Zeit ‑ which enables him to elaborate the heuristic method to shed light on gnostic dualism ‑ was in fact itself based on a dualistic anthropology. On the one hand, Jonas attempted to reply to it with a philosophical biology ; on the other hand, his reply to the cosmological dualism thanks to his speculative and mythical concept of the weak God.
Dualités présocratiques
Authors: Journée Gérard ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

This papers tries to show at first that the dualism Plutarchus attributed in the De Iside et Osiride to most ancient thinkers, mainly «presocratics», has been largely influenced by the doxographical overview given by Aristotle at the beginning of the Metaphysics, which not only assumed that Empedocles was the first to introduce principles of Good and Evil, but also compared the theory of Anaxagoras to the alleged platonic dualism of the One and the Other. If dualities are quite present and important in some of the main theories of the so‑called presocratic philosophers, the question remains to determine in which cases these dualities can be compared to dualism in the sense this word has taken since Hyde. The second part of this article will thus consist to try to answer this question on the ground of three examples of thinkers for whom dualities played a crucial role : Alcmaeon, Parmenides and, chiefly, Empedocles, who had obviously linked Love and Strife to an axiological pattern in his Katharmoi.
Les stoïciens et le dualisme
Authors: Gourinat Jean‑Baptiste ,   Editua Polirom
Published: June 2016

The Stoic system is alternatively described as “dualist” because its physics relies on two principles, God and matter, or as “monist”, because these two principles are intimately linked, and belong to the same body. It is difficult to describe the Stoic system as monist, since every substance is a body, and the two principles, while united in the same body, coexist from all eternity since matter is not created by God. But it is inappropriate as well to describe it as “dualist”, because the inferior principle is completely passive and is not a cause, but endures the effect of the active cause. Moreover, matter is not responsible for evil, even if some interpreters, ancient and modern, claimed it : the only metaphysical principle which accounts for the existence of evil is the “affinity of the contraries”, according to which good cannot exist without evil and agent without patient, but this is not a dualist explanation.
GEOPHYSICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEENALBEDO AND SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF TARGETS IN GARANHUNS-PE
Authors: De Melo Felippe Pessoa , Gois Douglas Vieira , Ruiz-Esparza Daniela Pinheiro Bitencurti , Bezerra João Vitor de Almeida , E Souza Rosemeri Melo
Published: June 2016

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma análise multi-temporal dos termodinâmica da superfície e albedo dos alvos, no município de Garanhuns-PE. foram utilizadas geotecnologias de Sensoriamento Remoto e Sistemas Geográfica (GIS). Para este fim, foram utilizadas imagens do sensor satélite Landsat 5 TM, referentes aos anos de 1987, 2001 e 2010, fornecidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Os dados vetoriais foram fornecidos pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Um banco de dados georreferenciados e geocronológico foi criado, o que permitiu o mapeamento temático. Este tipo de procedimento metodológico teórica e maximiza o grau de fiabilidade dos dados que foram gerados. Dados que são essenciais para a gestão da atividade antrópica na natureza. Verificou-se que uma interferência antropogénica alterados os perfis de dinâmica térmica e de reflectância, resultando em ilhas de calor bem definidas.
SPACIAL DISTRIBUTION OF RAIN TYPES IN PERNAMBUCO WITH THE USAGE OF REMOTE SENSING
Authors: Anjos Rafael Silva , Nóbrega Ranyére Silva , Araújo Franciele Eunice , Rocha Filho Gilson Brandão
Published: June 2016

This study aims to identify the rate of convective and stratiform rain in the state of Pernambuco (Brazil), with data collected by the satellite TRMM. For the research, 12 points in different cities were chosen to work with the data of the algorithm 3A25, with a spatial resolution of 0,5°x0,5° from January 1st, 1998 to June 30th, 2011. After the analysis of the rates, variations of the rates according with the spatial localization of the points were identified. The higher convective rain rate was in Cabo de Santo Agostinho (3,32) and the lower rate was situated in Santa Cruz (2,22). Regarding stratiforms rain, the rates varied according to their special localization. The points which presented the highest rates were the closest to the coastline – Cabo de Santo Agostinho (1,19); Bezerros (0,92); Belo Jardim (0,83). The points that showed the lowest averages are the ones far from the littoral - Parnamirim (0,74); Santa Filomena (0,69); Santa Cruz (0,83).
Open-Ended Education: How Open-Endedness Might Foster and Promote Technological Imagination, Enterprising and Participation in Education
Authors: Nørgård Rikke Toft , Paaskesen Rikke Berggreen
Published: June 2016

THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES OPEN-ENDED EDUCATION FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNING AS THE COMING TOGETHER OF OPEN-ENDED TECHNOLOGY, OPEN-ENDED PROJECTS, AND OPEN-ENDED INSTITUTIONS IN WAYS THAT FOSTER AND PROMOTE FUTURE EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP IN SOCIETY.

THROUGH THE CASE OF THE CODING PIRATES FUTURE ISLAND, THE ARTICLE DEMONSTRATES HOW OPEN-ENDED EDUCATION CAN BE PRACTICED TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE TECHNOLOGICAL IMAGINATION, ENTERPRISING, AND PARTICIPATION. THIS PRACTICE IS THEN DEVELOPED INTO A THEORETICAL MODEL FOR THE CONCEPT OF OPEN-ENDED EDUCATION AS A WAY OF AND FRAMEWORK FOR PRACTICING FUTURE EDUCATION FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNING WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

THE ARTICLE PRESENTS AN ANSWER TO THE CALL FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNING AS THOROUGHLY COLLABORATIVE, COMMUNICATIVE, CREATIVE, AND CRITICALLY REFLECTIVE THROUGH THE CASE AND THE CONCEPT OF OPEN-ENDED EDUCATION.

IT OUTLINES THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CALL FOR EDUCATION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT THE EMPHASIS IN BLOOM’S REVISED TAXONOMY ON INGENUITY, ORIGINALITY, PARTICIPATION, AND ASPIRATION IMPACTS THE PRACTICE OF EDUCATION.
Fun By Design: The Game Design Activity and Its Iterative Process as (Playful) Learning Practices
Authors: Mariani Ilaria , Ackermann Judith
Published: June 2016

THIS CONTRIBUTION PROPOSES A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF A WORKSHOP HELD AT POLITECNICO DI MILANO PROBLEMATISING HOW PLAYFULNESS AND ‘FUN BY DESIGN’ AFFECT GAME DESIGN ACTIVITIES AND CONTRIBUTE TO GIVING STUDENTS A DIFFERENT AWARENESS OF THE PLAY EXPERIENCE. THE PRESENTED ACTIVITIES ARE PART OF THE AUTHORS’ JOINT RESEARCH IN THE DOMAIN OF SITUATED GAMING AS A FORM OF PLAYFUL LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION, WHICH INVESTIGATES THE PART OF BOTH THE DESIGNERS AND THE PLAYERS (ACKERMANN & MARIANI, 2015). THE ANALYSIS INVESTIGATES HOW THE ITERATIVE DESIGN PROCESS SIMULTANEOUSLY ELICITS FUN AND ACTIVATES REFLECTIONS ON THE GAME DESIGN PRACTICE AND THE PLAYTESTING ACTIVITY AS A NODAL MOMENT FOR PLAYERS AND DESIGNERS, WHERE SERIOUSNESS AND PLAYFULNESS INTERSECT.

ALLOWING AND REQUIRING PLAYFUL PARTICIPATION ON MULTIPLE LEVELS, AND AIMING TO EMPHASISE THE PLAYERS’ PERSPECTIVES, WE ASKED 45 STUDENTS TO (1) DESIGN LOCATION BASED MOBILE GAMES, (2) PERFORM THE OBSERVATION/ VERIFICATION PROCESS AND (3) EXPLORE ITS ELUSIVE AND CHALLENGING PHASES. DATA WAS COLLECTED FROM RAPID ETHNOGRAPHIES AND QUESTIONNAIRES COMPILED IN THE PROCESS.

THE CONTRIBUTION EXPANDS THE REASONING FROM THE FUNDAMENTAL DISCOURSE OF MEANINGS EMBEDDED AND COMMUNICATED THROUGH GAMES, TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GAME DESIGN ACTIVITY AS A RECURSIVE PROCESS OF KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION AND AS A SPECIFIC FORM OF PLAYFUL LEARNING.
Making Art – Taking Part!
Authors: Zobl Elke , Huber Laila
Published: June 2016

HOW CAN WE OPEN PARTICIPATORY SPACES PLAYFULLY AND CRITICALLY? OUR ARTICLE RAISES THIS QUESTION IN THE CONTEXT OF A RESEARCH PROJECT AT THE INTERSECTION OF PARTICIPATORY AND INTERVENTIONIST ART, CRITICAL ART EDUCATION AND PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH. IN THE PROJECT “MAKING ART – TAKING PART!” (WWW.TAKINGPART.AT), WHICH THE AUTHORS, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS, CONDUCTED WITH STUDENTS AGED 14–16 IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA, AN ARTISTIC INTERVENTION IN PUBLIC SPACE WAS DEVELOPED BASED ON THE IDEAS, EXPERIENCES, AND DESIRES OF THE STUDENTS. IN A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS, WE EXPLORED STRATEGIES FOR SELF-EMPOWERMENT, DECONSTRUCTION OF ESTABLISHED KNOWLEDGE AND POWER RELATIONS, AND APPROPRIATION BY ARTISTIC AND ART MEDIATION MEANS AROUND THE TOPIC OF “LIVING TOGETHER”. IN THIS PAPER, WE ARGUE THAT BY EMPLOYING SUCH STRATEGIES, A LIMINAL SPACE CAN BE OPENED – IN A PLAYFUL, YET CRITICAL WAY – IN WHICH THE MEANING OF PARTICIPATION IS COLLABORATIVELY NEGOTIATED.
Learning, Gaming, Designing: Using Playful Participation to Create Learning Games Together with High School Students
Authors: Kayali Fares , Schwarz Vera , Götzenbrucker Gerit , Purgathofer Peter
Published: June 2016

THE PAPER DEALS WITH DEVELOPING LEARNING GAMES IN THE AREA OF INFORMATICS AND SOCIETY IN AN INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION OF RESEARCHERS, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA. IN THIS PROJECT, WE APPLY MIXED METHODS TO ENSURE MEANINGFUL RESULTS. PLAYING RESEARCH AND GAME ANALYSIS ARE SUPPOSED TO PREPARE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE TASK OF DESIGNING AND CREATING LEARNING GAMES IN A PARTICIPATORY SETTING, USING EXPLORATIVE DESIGN AND DESIGN THINKING. THE STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED IN DOING SO BY THE ACADEMICS. THE RESEARCHERS WILL ALSO EVALUATE THE OUTCOMES. THE PAPER PRESENTS THE FIRST EXAMPLES OF INFORMATICS AND SOCIETY LEARNING GAMES AND USE THE FOLLOWING APPROACHES TO TRIGGER LEARNING EXPERIENCES: HUMOR AND EXAGGERATION, SHIFT OF PERSPECTIVE, THE PRESENTATION OF FACTS, AND TRIAL AND ERROR. THESE RESULTS FROM THE EARLY STAGES OF THE PROJECT ARE ENCOURAGING AND HINT AT THE POSSIBLE SUCCESS OF PLAYFUL PARTICIPATION IN THE FIELD OF GAME-BASED LEARNING.
Exchanging Engagement: Alternative Arts Engagement in Latin America
Authors: Elliott Matthew David
Published: June 2016

IN 1973, EDUARDO GALEANO (1940-2015), THE URUGUAYAN WRITER AND JOURNALIST CONCLUDED HIS SEMINAL BOOK OPEN VEINS OF LATIN AMERICA WITH THE FOLLOWING: ‘THE LATIN AMERICAN CAUSE IS ABOVE ALL A SOCIAL CAUSE: THE REBIRTH OF LATIN AMERICA MUST START WITH THE OVERTHROW OF ITS MASTERS, COUNTRY BY COUNTRY. WE ARE ENTERING TIMES OF REBELLION AND CHANGE’ (GALEANO, 1973, P. 261). AS GALEANO STATED, THE OPPRESSION OF POPULATIONS AND THE LOSS OF LIVES THROUGHOUT LATIN AMERICA LED TO ‘TIMES OF REBELLION AND CHANGE’. ARTISTS, ACTIVISTS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY SOUGHT TO CHALLENGE AND RESIST AUTOCRATIC REGIMES TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF UPHOLDING THEIR DEMOCRATIC AND HUMAN RIGHTS. THESE METHODS AND PRACTICE HAVE TRANSCENDED THE DEMOCRATISATION OF THE CONTINENT IN THE 1980S AND 1990S. THE DESIRE TO ADVOCATE CHANGE THROUGH THE ARTS HAS CONTINUED TO BE RADICAL AND PROPOSES AN ALTERNATIVE WAY OF BEING TO COMMUNITIES IN LATIN AMERICA. HOW CAN THIS PRACTICE BE TRANSPOSED TO BENEFIT THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE UK?

THE AUTHOR’S EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND HIS ENCOUNTERS WITH LATIN AMERICAN ARTS PRACTICE LED TO A NEED TO INTERTWINE THESE PRACTICES AND DEVELOP THEATRE AS A MODEL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE, WHICH ENGAGES THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE UK.

THE PAPER IS A PRODUCT OF A SIX-WEEK PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH PROJECT IN LATIN AMERICA (CHILE, ARGENTINA AND URUGUAY) THAT EXPLORED INNOVATIVE ARTS ENGAGEMENT FOR MARGINALISED YOUNG PEOPLE. THE RESEARCH WAS UNDERTAKEN AS A MEANS TO DEVELOP A HIGH QUALITY ARTS PROVISION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE UK. THE PAPER FOCUSES ON THREE AREAS: CONTINUITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND ACTIVISM, AND ASKS THE READER: HOW CAN THEATRE ETHICALLY ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DECISIONS THAT SHAPE THEIR SOCIETY? THE RESEARCH WAS FUNDED BY THE WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST.
Une mission périlleuse ou le péril colonial jésuite dans la France de Louis XIV : Sainte-Marie des Iroquois (1649-1665)
Authors: Lignereux Yann
Published: June 2016

L’importance de la mission jésuite d’Onondaga (ou de Gannentaha) excède largement sa seule réalité chronologique (mai 1656 – avril 1658). Succédant aux missions en Huronie et à sa dispersion, Sainte-Marie des Iroquois met en évidence les impasses de la diplomatie française et la faiblesse de la colonie du Saint-Laurent face au dynamisme politico-militaire des cantons iroquois. La mission doit répondre à des attentes diverses et d’un bout à l’autre de son histoire, elle n’est qu’un objet relatif soumis aux aléas et aux tribulations d’une histoire dont les Français ne sont jamais les maîtres. Cet échec humiliant est l’occasion d’un ressaisissement par Louis XIV de l’oeuvre coloniale américaine et du basculement dans l’âge impérial de la colonie canadienne.
Histoires naturelles, récits de voyage et géopolitique religieuse dans l’Atlantique français XVIe et XVIIe siècles1
Authors: Lachenicht Susanne
Published: June 2016

Cet article analyse des histoires naturelles et des récits de voyage d’auteurs français du XVIe siècle en portant attention à la dimension confessionnelle de leur discours. Quelles sont leurs fonctions dans la géopolitique religieuse de l’Atlantique français et, plus particulièrement, dans les luttes entre catholiques et huguenots ? Que deviennent les histoires naturelles et récits de voyages au XVIIe siècle ? Perdent-ils de leur importance dans les polémiques françaises entre protestants et catholiques ? Finalement, la Révocation de l’Édit de Nantes met-elle fin aux projets de colonisation huguenote et aux histoires naturelles et récits de voyage confessionnalisés dans l’Atlantique français ?
Le suicide dans les enquêtes du coroner au Québec entre 1763 et 1986 : un projet de recherche inédit1
Authors: Corriveau Patrice , Perreault Isabelle , Cauchie Jean-François , Lyonnais Annie
Published: June 2016

Cette note de recherche porte sur la création d’une base de données qui rassemblera au final toutes les enquêtes du coroner qui ont conclu à un décès par suicide sur le territoire du Québec, et ce, de la Conquête britannique (1763) à 1986, soit plus ou moins 20 000 enquêtes. Riche de matériaux aussi précieux que des rapports médicaux, des témoignages de proches ou de professionnels d’horizons divers, des verdicts de jury et coroner ou encore des lettres d’adieu, cette base de données ne permettra pas seulement des analyses de type épidémiologique. Elle ouvrira aussi la voie à l’examen de l’évolution des discours sociaux qui accompagnent le geste suicidaire. Nous aborderons également le fait que la création et l’utilisation d’une telle base de données ne viennent pas sans leur lot de dilemmes épistémologiques et méthodologiques.
Feasibility and Impact of an 8-Week Integrative Yoga Program in People with Moderate Multiple Sclerosis–Related Disability
Authors: Cohen Evan T. , Kietrys David , Fogerite Susan Gould , Silva Mariella , Logan Kristen , Barone Donald A. , Parrott J. Scott
Published: June 2016

Background: This pilot study determined the feasibility of a specifically designed 8-week yoga program for people with moderate multiple sclerosis (MS)–related disability. We explored the program's effect on quality of life (QOL) and physical and mental performance.

Methods: We used a single-group design with repeated measurements at baseline, postintervention, and 8-week follow-up. Feasibility was examined through cost, recruitment, retention, attendance, and safety. Outcomes included the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory (MSQLI), 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Timed 25-Foot Walk test (T25FW), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSTS), Multidirectional Reach Test (MDRT), maximum expiratory pressure, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test-3″ (PASAT-3″).

Results: Fourteen participants completed the study. The program was feasible. There were significant main effects on the 36-item Short Form Health Status Survey Mental Component Summary (SF-36 MCS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Bladder Control Scale (BLCS), Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ), Mental Health Inventory (MHI), MSWS-12, T25FW, NHPT, PASAT-3″, 6MWT, FTSTS, and MDRT-Back. Improvements were found on the SF-36 MCS, MFIS, BLCS, PDQ, MHI, and MSWS-12 between baseline and postintervention. The effect on PDQ persisted at follow-up. Improvements were found on the T25FW, NHPT, 6MWT, FTSTS, and MDRT-Back between baseline and postintervention that persisted at follow-up. The PASAT-3″ did not change between baseline and postintervention but did between postintervention and follow-up.

Conclusions: The yoga program was safe and feasible. Improvements in certain measures of QOL and performance were seen at postintervention and follow-up.
Multidisciplinary Management of Sexual Dysfunction, Perineal Pain, and Elimination Dysfunction in a Woman with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Miletta Michela , Bogliatto Fabrizio , Bacchio Leonardo
Published: June 2016

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that commonly affects young women and is associated with sexual dysfunction (SD) and lower anourogenital dysfunction, which affect quality of life. We evaluated the importance of an integrated multidisciplinary approach in the Lower Female Ano-Uro-Genital Network (LFAUGN) to manage a variety of complex symptoms.

Methods: A 40-year-old woman with MS and primary concerns about perineal pain and SD was treated by a trained midwife from the LFAUGN and a physical therapist after a multidisciplinary diagnostic process that included gynecologic evaluation for perineal pain and SD, physiatric assessment, urologic assessment for bladder retention (BR), and surgical examination for obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS). Physical therapy was integrated with pharmacologic therapy for ODS and with self-catheterization for BR.

Results: After 5 months of treatment, the patient reported improvement in functional perineal parameters and perineal pain (visual analogue scale score: 9 at T1 vs. 5 at T2), with resolution of pelvic floor hypertonia. Furthermore, ODS and BR symptoms improved (5-item score: 18 of 20 at T1 vs. 10 of 20 at T2; 1 self-catheterization daily, with postvoid residual volume [PRV] <200 mL at T1 vs. 1 self-catheterization weekly, with PRV <100 mL at T2) and sexual satisfaction increased (Female Sexual Function Index score: 18 of 36 at T1 vs. 23 of 36 at T2).

Conclusions: These results suggest that physical therapy, as an integral component of a multidisciplinary approach in a multiprofessional network, may play a pivotal role in improving anourogenital dysfunction and sexual satisfaction.
Recensão: European Populism in the Shadow of the Great Recession [Hanspeter Kriesi e Takis S. Pappas, 2015, Colchester, ECPR Press]
Authors: Valentim Vicente
Published: June 2016

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Potential urinary aging markers of 20-month-old rats
Authors: Li Xundou , Gao Youhe
Published: June 2016

Urine is a very good source for biomarker discovery because it accumulates changes in the body. However, a major challenge in urinary biomarker discovery is the fact that the urinary proteome is influenced by various elements. To circumvent these problems, simpler systems, such as animal models, can be used to establish associations between physiological or pathological conditions and alterations in the urinary proteome. In this study, the urinary proteomes of young (two months old) and old rats (20 months old; nine in each group) were analyzed using LC-MS/MS and quantified using the Progenesis LC-MS software. A total of 371 proteins were identified, 194 of which were shared between the young and old rats. Based on criteria of a fold change ≥2,P< 0.05 and identification in each rat of the high-abundance group, 33 proteins were found to be changed (15 increased and 18 decreased in old rats). By adding a more stringent standard (protein spectral counts from every rat in the higher group greater than those in the lower group), eight proteins showed consistent changes in all rats of the groups; two of these proteins are also altered in the urinary proteome of aging humans. However, no shared proteins between our results and the previous aging plasma proteome were identified. Twenty of the 33 (60%) altered proteins have been reported to be disease biomarkers, suggesting that aging may share similar urinary changes with some diseases. The 33 proteins corresponded to 28 human orthologs which, according to the Human Protein Atlas, are strongly expressed in the kidney, intestine, cerebellum and lung. Therefore, the urinary proteome may reflect aging conditions in these organs.
Consequences for selected high-elevation butterflies and moths from the spread ofPinus mugointo the alpine zone in the High Sudetes Mountains
Authors: Bílá Karolína , Šipoš Jan , Kindlmann Pavel , Kuras Tomáš
Published: June 2016

Due to changes in the global climate, isolated alpine sites have become one of the most vulnerable habitats worldwide. The indigenous fauna in these habitats is threatened by an invasive species, dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), which is highly competitive and could be important in determining the composition of the invertebrate community. In this study, the association of species richness and abundance of butterflies with the extent ofPinus mugocover at individual alpine sites was determined. Butterflies at alpine sites in the High Sudetes Mountains (Mts.) were sampled using Moericke yellow water traps. The results of a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that at a local scale the area of alpine habitats is the main limiting factor for native species of alpine butterflies. Butterfly assemblages are associated with distance to the tree-line with the optimum situated in the lower forest zone. In addition the CCA revealed that biotic factors (i.e.Pinus mugoand alpine tundra vegetation) accounted for a significant amount of the variability in species data. Regionally, the CCA identified that the species composition of butterflies and moths is associated with presence and origin ofPinus mugo. Our study provides evidence that the structure of the Lepidopteran fauna that formed during the postglacial period and also the present composition of species assemblages is associated with the presence ofPinus mugo. With global warming,Pinus mugohas the potential to spread further into alpine areas and negatively affect the local species communities.
1H NMR studies distinguish the water soluble metabolomic profiles of untransformed and RAS-transformed cells
Authors: Marks Vered , Munoz Anisleidys , Rai Priyamvada , Walls Jamie D.
Published: June 2016

Metabolomic profiling is an increasingly important method for identifying potential biomarkers in cancer cells with a view towards improved diagnosis and treatment. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provides a potentially noninvasive means to accurately characterize differences in the metabolomic profiles of cells. In this work, we use1H NMR to measure the metabolomic profiles of water soluble metabolites extracted from isogenic control and oncogenic HRAS-, KRAS-, and NRAS-transduced BEAS2B lung epithelial cells to determine the robustness of NMR metabolomic profiling in detecting differences between the transformed cells and their untransformed counterparts as well as differences among the RAS-transformed cells. Unique metabolomic signatures between control and RAS-transformed cell lines as well as among the three RAS isoform-transformed lines were found by applying principal component analysis to the NMR data. This study provides a proof of principle demonstration that NMR-based metabolomic profiling can robustly distinguish untransformed and RAS-transformed cells as well as cells transformed with different RAS oncogenic isoforms. Thus, our data may potentially provide new diagnostic signatures for RAS-transformed cells.
What flowers do we like? The influence of shape and color on the rating of flower beauty
Authors: Hůla Martin , Flegr Jaroslav
Published: June 2016

There is no doubt that people find flowers beautiful. Surprisingly, we know very little about the actual properties which make flowers so appealing to humans. Although the evolutionary aesthetics provides some theories concerning generally preferred flower traits, empirical evidence is largely missing. In this study, we used an online survey in which residents of the Czech Republic (n= 2006) rated the perceived beauty of 52 flower stimuli of diverse shapes and colors. Colored flowers were preferred over their uncolored versions. When controlling for flower shape, we found an unequal preference for different flower colors, blue being the most and yellow the least preferred. In the overall assessment of beauty, shape was more important than color. Prototypical flowers, i.e., radially symmetrical flowers with low complexity, were rated as the most beautiful. We also found a positive effect of sharp flower contours and blue color on the overall rating of flower beauty. The results may serve as a basis for further studies in some areas of the people-plant interaction research.
Superior Mesenteric-Portal Vein Resection in Patients With Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Is Safe and May Increase Survival
Authors: Wu Wei-Ding , Yang Hong-Guo , Wu Jia , Jiang Kai , Guo Kun , Zhang Cheng-Wu , Hu Zhi-Ming
Published: June 2016

Extension of pancreatic adenocarcinoma into adjacent vasculature often necessitates resection of the portal vein (PV) and or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Our study describes the surgical technique and results of PV/SMV resection in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. Between January 2008 and October 2013, 252 patients underwent PD for pancreatic malignancy. A total of 42 PV/SMV resections were performed (28 men, 14 women). Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the degree of invasion into the portal vein wall: Group A (n = 16), extended compression of the portal vein wall by the surrounding carcinoma without true invasion, and Group B (n = 26), true invasion including intramural and transmural invasion. Morbidity of the 42 patients was 35%; there was no operative mortality, and overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 60%, 21%, and 12%, respectively. No differences in tumor size, margin positivity, nodal positivity, or survival rates were observed between groups. Resection of the PV/SMV is safe and does not increase morbidity or mortality. Tumor involvement of the PV/SMV is not associated with histopathologic signs that are predictive of a poor prognosis. The “artery first” approach should be considered as a means to facilitate safe venous resection and reconstruction.