bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Práticas de leitura e compreensão oral em língua inglesa: adaptação de gêneros textuais para diferentes níveis
Authors: LAPKOSKI Graziella Araujo de Oliveira , HIBARINO Denise Akemi
Published: September 2014

A integração das habilidades de leitura, escrita, oralidade e compreensão oral são preocupações constantes do professor de Língua Inglesa. No entanto, ao adotar uma abordagem comunicativa, o professor, muitas vezes, desenvolve atividades mais voltadas para a oralidade.  Não raro, os alunos apresentam dificuldades com estratégias de leitura e durante os exercícios de compreensão oral. Desta forma, o objetivo deste relato é mostrar como é possível integrar estas duas últimas habilidades e, principalmente, compartilhar atividades baseadas em diferentes gêneros textuais (fábulas, histórias em quadrinhos, filmes, etc), adaptadas para diferentes níveis. Como conclusão, enfatizamos a importância de explorar os diferentes gêneros textuais presentes no cotidiano do aluno e do professor.
O QUE SABEMOS SOBRE O USO DE ESTRATÉGIAS NO ENSINO DE ALEMÃO COMO LÍNGUA ESTRANGEIRA?
Authors: SCHLENKER Adriana
Published: September 2014

Este relato tem como foco o uso de estratégias para o estudo e ensino do Alemão como Língua Estrangeira. Aprender uma segunda língua ou uma língua estrangeira, exige, entre outras atividades, o uso de estratégias que facilitem o aprimoramento do idioma. Considerando que cada aluno tem determinado tipo de estudo, é possível que eles se utilizem das estratégias, que aprimorem seu desempenho nos estudos. Ao conhecer seu estilo e o mecanismo das estratégicas, o aluno poderá desenvolver uma forma mais autônoma e segura no aprendizado da língua estrangeira. As considerações aqui relatadas e propostas, visam não somente repensar o uso das estratégias quanto à aplicação destas em sala de aula, mas também em abrir diálogo entre os professores de alemão.
O PROFESSOR DE INGLÊS DE INSTITUTO DE LÍNGUAS, TRABALHO E CONSTITUIÇÃO PROFISSIONAL
Authors: Camargo Gladys Plens de Quevedo Pereira de
Published: September 2014

Este trabalho está inserido na área de formação de professores de língua inglesa e foi realizado em um instituto particular de ensino de inglês. Objetivou investigar (1) a visão de professores de inglês sobre seu trabalho e o fenômeno da globalização e (2) sua auto-imagem e constituição profissional. As reflexões teóricas que guiaram esta investigação incluem a relação entre globalização e educação, a importância do papel do professor enquanto educador, a atitude do profissional diante da língua inglesa, gênero ou cultura profissional e fatores que exercem influência sobre o trabalho do professor. A coleta das informações foi feita por meio de um questionário, que foi respondido por vinte e duas professoras da instituição. A análise das respostas demonstra que as professoras investigadas têm total consciência da relação entre seu trabalho e globalização e da importância do seu papel na formação dos alunos-clientes, na medida em que são elas que os instrumentaliza para a comunicação com o mundo. Além disso, atribuem grande parte da sua constituição profissional às suas próprias experiências sobre aprender e ensinar inglês.
MACAÉ: UMA SAUDADE!
Authors: Hall Alcina Brasileiro
Published: September 2014

Com o objetivo de convidar professores de língua estrangeira a refletirem sobre sua prática pedagógica, este artigo incentiva a construção de conhecimento com os alunos de modo a desvelar suas identidades e promover sua transformação, tendo, por conseqüência, sua atuação responsável perante a sociedade. Partindo de experiências de salas de aula de língua inglesa em uma escola municipal de Macaé, no Rio de Janeiro, na condição de professora recém-nomeada por concurso público, a autora discorre sobre suas surpresas e peripécias para atrair a atenção de alunos de um contexto social de pobreza, violência e baixa auto-estima para o que estava sendo ensinado. Ao longo da narrativa, a professora tece comentários, apoiando-se em textos de educadores e pesquisadores como Marco Antonio Moreira e Júlio César Furtado, que discorrem sobre a aprendizagem significativa, e, por sua vez, fundamentam-se, principalmente, em leituras de Piaget, Vygotsky e Ausubel. Ao concluir que o potencial humano para o aprendizado é inesgotável e que não existe uma receita pronta, já que as escolhas metodológicas adequadas são altamente dependentes dos contextos onde ocorrem, a autora deixa a mensagem de que, sem comprometimento com a educação, toda prática pedagógica no ensino público tende ao fracasso.
A representação dos portadores de necessidades especiais nos livros didáticos de LEM
Authors: Passos Juliana
Published: September 2014

Este trabalho tem como intuito discutir a tendência contemporânea de representar o portador de necessidades especiais nos livros didáticos de língua inglesa e de que maneira se dá tal representação.  Tais representações limitam-se a grupos específicos  – em geral os cadeirantes – e são, via de regra, estabelecidas através da linguagem visual unicamente. Interessa-nos discutir quem é o sujeito representado e o tipo de discurso visual se constrói. Igualmente, interessa-nos o fato destas representações não se construírem no plano da linguagem e quais as possíveis significações destas representações e como contribuem para a formação da identidade e do discurso social em torno da deficiência.
DEU A LOUCA NOS CONTOS DE FADAS
Authors: Perine Cristiane Manzan , Halil Marisa Martins Gama
Published: September 2014

Sabemos que a Literatura possibilita ao leitor uma visão crítica e criativa sobre o mundo, já que o texto literário não descortina um único significado, mas amplia-se, abrindo sentidos vários e alargando as visões sobre os sujeitos e a sociedade. Por este motivo, defendemos a importância do trabalho com a literatura na sala de aula. Seja agregada oficialmente ao currículo e trabalhada no cotidiano escolar como uma disciplina; seja de forma ocasional, trabalhada em oficinas, de modo a reforçar os conteúdos ministrados em sala de aula. Desse modo, este trabalho tem por objetivo relatar a experiência frutuosa de um projeto de pesquisa e extensão desenvolvimento através do ensino de literatura em contexto de escola pública. A escola pôde incentivar a leitura aos alunos ao fornecer a possibilidade de freqüentarem oficinas em horário extra-classe. Os ministrantes das oficinas foram professores estagiários prestes a terminar o curso de Letras, cursando a disciplina Prática de Ensino de Literatura e orientados por um professor experiente. Pudemos perceber que os alunos se sentiram mais motivados e interessados em aprender e conseguiram adquirir uma visão mais ampla de literatura, que vai muito além daquela fixada nos livros didáticos.
A COMPLEXIDADE DO ATO DE LEITURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA PARA ALUNOS INICIANTES
Authors: Mulico Lesliê Vieira
Published: September 2014

Políticas de letramento tem colocado o ato de leitura em posição de destaque para o ensino de línguas. Todavia, apesar de professores e alunos reconhecerem a importância da leitura para a cidadania, percebo que o hábito de ler não é prontamente aderido, especialmente quando se trata de leitura literária. Da mesma forma, no âmbito do ensino de leitura instrumental em língua inglesa para iniciantes, tal fato se repete mesmo estando o aprendiz consciente do papel-chave que a língua exerce no mercado de trabalho. Observando que a leitura literária em língua mãe e a de textos técnicos em língua inglesa suscitam repulsas semelhantes, hipotetizo que a leitura de textos ficcionais em língua mãe e não-ficcionais em língua inglesa são investimentos comparáveis, pois requerem do leitor a capacidade de metaforização. A fim de demonstrar a complexidade do processo, estabeleci um diálogo entre a teoria dos atos de leitura de textos ficcionais de Wolfgang Iser (1996) e o modelo da construção de sentido de Richard Kern (1996) para analisar as relações de contingência e algumas representações mentais que um determinado texto técnico em língua inglesa requer do leitor iniciante. Portanto, constatei que textos ficcionais e não-ficcionais requerem processos mentais e representações metafóricas semelhantes.
Tradução Jornalística: implicações prático-pedagógicas na relação tradução e ensino de línguas
Authors: Polchlopek Silvana Ayub , Costa Maria José Damiani , Zipser Meta Elisabeth , De Almeida Hutan Do Céu
Published: September 2014

O uso da tradução em sala de aula de língua estrangeira é geralmente motivo de muita discussão e polêmica entre professores de línguas. As raízes para tanta discussão encontram-se, frequentemente, no uso indevido da tradução como fim e não como meio de reflexão sobre as línguas em diversas metodologias de ensino. Por esta razão e, respeitando-se os contextos de ensino-aprendizagem do ensino médio e superior, em nível de graduação, este artigo discute de maneira breve o uso da tradução em sala relacionado a algumas metodologias tradicionais de ensino de línguas para, em seguida, propor um novo olhar sobre a tradução através do conceito da representação cultural e só então sugerir algumas práticas pedagógicas testadas em sala de aula. À luz do funcionalismo alemão para os estudos da tradução, abordamos a prática tradutória utilizando textos jornalísticos, compreendendo o texto como uma prática social. Esperamos, nesse sentido, demonstrar que o uso da tradução em sala de aula de língua estrangeira pode ser uma ferramenta de grande valia não só para reflexão sobre a língua materna ou estrangeira, como também com referência à cultura, a escrita, à compreensão sobre os gêneros textuais e construção do leitor.
Tradução do Português para o Italiano do livro Eu, de Augusto dos Anjos
Authors: Romanelli Sergio , Camilotti Camila Paula , Müller Margot , Giacomozzi Sandra
Published: September 2014

Neste trabalho apresentamos os resultados parciais do projeto de extensão “Tradução do português para o italiano do livro Eu de Augusto dos Anjos” (notes 2011.3886) desenvolvido na Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. O projeto visa envolver alunos de graduação e de pós-graduação de língua e literatura italiana e das disciplinas teóricas de tradução num trabalho de análise, seleção e tradução de um autor brasileiro inédito na Itália. O objetivo é o de preparar os alunos ao trabalho de tradutor do português para o italiano e ao mesmo tempo torná-los cientes da complexidade dessa atividade criativa. Augusto dos Anjos foi escolhido pelos alunos e pelo docente em sala de aula pela relevância e originalidade de sua obra poética e pelo ineditismo na Itália. Até o momento foram traduzidos dez sonetos seguindo os princípios das teorias descritivas da tradução, especificamente a de Susan Bassnett, levando em conta o público de chegada ao qual eles se destinam. Pretende-se chegar à tradução integral da obra do brasileiro em vista de uma futura publicação estimulando dessa forma a divulgação da cultura e literatura brasileira e da poesia de Augusto dos Anjos, na Itália.
Royalties da Mineração
Authors: Da Silva Maria Amélia Rodrigues
Published: September 2014

A Amazônia brasileira possui uma das maiores e mais diversificadas reservas minerais do planeta. A importância econômica do setor mineral, em nível agregado, é significativa. No Estado do Pará, principal Estado mineiro da Amazônia, o setor mineral responde por 40% das exportações e 12% do Produto Interno Bruto estadual (Silva, 1994). Apesar dessa riqueza e dos altos valores da produção, o setor mineral não tem sido um vetor de desenvolvimento regional. O setor mineral emprega apenas 0,45% da mão-de-obra economicamente ativa da Amazônia, contribui com menos de 4% das arrecadações de impostos e seus efeitos multiplicadores em outros setores da economia regional são ínfimos (Vidal e Santana, 1998). Essa incapacidade de gerar benefícios para a sociedade local no presente e no futuro é ainda mais preocupante devido ao fato de os minérios serem um recurso não renovável, ou seja, a exploração do minério diminui o estoque de capital inicial, comprometendo o fluxo de renda no futuro. No início dos anos 90 foi implementado no Brasil a “compensação financeira pela exploração dos bens minerais (CFEM)” – ou simplesmente royalty com o objetivo de capturar parte do valor da renda referente à diminuição do estoque mineral. Esse imposto, se bem investido em outros setores da economia, tem a possibilidade de gerar um fluxo de renda sustentado ad infinitum (Hartwick, 1977).
Manejo Comunitário de Lagos de Várzeas e o Desenvolvimento sustentável da Pesca na amazônia
Authors: McGrath David , Castro Fábio De , Câmara Evandro , Futemma Célia
Published: September 2014

A várzea amazônica é uma das últimas regiões pesqueiras do mundo ainda pouco explorada (Fig. 1). Contudo, durante os últimos trinta anos a intensificação da pesca tem aumentado a pressão sobre os estoques pesqueiros da várzea (Furtado, 1990; Goulding, 1989; Smith, 1985; Junk, 1984b). Embora a pesca amazônica tenha sofrido grandes mudanças, o desenvolvimento da pesca na região está ainda na sua fase inicial (Bayley & Petrere, 1989). À medida que a pesca se desenvolve, duas estratégias de manejo estão surgindo, uma baseada no modelo convencional de manejo pesqueiro centralizado no Estado, e a outra, no manejo comunitário dos recursos pesqueiros da várzea (McGrath et al. 1993a). Nesse contexto, o desenvolvimento da pesca amazônica representa um problema e uma oportunidade. Peixes são recursos altamente produtivos e renováveis. Se os recursos pesqueiros são manejados de forma sustentável, integrando as populações locais que atualmente exploram os recursos, eles podem contribuir significativamente para o desenvolvimento da várzea. Se o recurso pesqueiro é explorado de forma não sustentável, e sem a participação das populações da várzea, a intensificação da pesca pode levar à degradação dos ecossistemas da várzea e à marginalização da população ribeirinha (McGoodwin 1990, Weber 1994). A proposta deste trabalho é avaliar esses dois modelos de manejo em termos de seus impactos sobre as populações, recursos pesqueiros e ecossistemas de várzea, e avaliar até que ponto o modelo de manejo comunitário poderia servir como base para uma estratégia regional de desenvolvimento dos recursos pesqueiros da várzea. Este trabalho é dividido em três partes. Na primeira, são apresentadas as características mais importantes dos dois modelos. Na segunda parte, é avaliado o potencial de cada modelo para o desenvolvimento da pesca amazônica. Na última seção, são discutidas as principais barreiras para a implementação do modelo de manejo comunitário.
Alternative housing systems for fattening bulls under Austrian conditions with special respect to rubberised slatted floors
Authors: Rouha-Muelleder C , Absmanner E , Kahrer E , Zeiner H , Scharl T , Leisch F , Stanek C , Troxler J
Published: September 2014

Previous studies have noted significant welfare problems in cattle housed on fully slatted floors. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of alternative housing systems under on-farm conditions. Health, behavioural and farm data of fattening bulls were collected on seven Austrian farms between January 2006 and April 2007. The housing systems studied comprised fully slatted concrete floor pens (CS), fully slatted floor pens covered with rubber mats (RS), straw-bedded pens (ST) and a system combining straw-bedded pens (for bulls weighing < 450 kg) and fully slatted floor pens (for bulls weighing > 450 kg; SS). The numbers of scabs/wounds on the carpal joint and severe lesions/partial losses of the tail tip were significantly higher in CS and SS than in RS and ST. The claws of bulls in ST and RS showed clear signs of reduced abrasion, but this does not seem to have any negative impact on the corium. Behavioural alterations were observed mainly in CS and SS. The numbers of lying and short standing bouts were significantly higher in ST and RS than in CS; the mean duration of lying bouts was significantly lower. Mean duration of lying down and standing up was significantly lower in ST than in CS and SS. Bulls in ST had a significantly higher daily weight gain than bulls in all other systems. It is concluded that rubber mats improve the welfare of bulls housed on slatted floors. However, neither the RS nor the SS system reached the welfare potential of straw bedding provided throughout life.
Effects of human handling during early rearing on the behaviour of dairy calves
Authors: Schütz KE , Hawke M , Waas JR , McLeay LM , Bokkers EAM , van Reenen CG , Webster JR , Stewart M
Published: September 2014

We examined the effects of daily positive or negative human handling on the behaviour of Holstein-Friesian dairy calves (n = 20 calves per treatment, five calves per group). The response to humans and indicators of positive emotions were examined at four weeks of age. Calves that received positive handling approached a familiar handler within 1 min in 50% of the handling sessions compared to 17% of the sessions for negatively handled calves but showed no difference when approaching an unfamiliar person. Calves that received positive handling showed less avoidance behaviour in their home pen to an approaching unfamiliar person (score, positive: 3.7, negative: 2.8) but there was no treatment effect on flight distance when tested outside the home pen. Both treatment groups responded similarly to a novel object and performed the same amount of play behaviour. Calves that received positive handling interacted more with cow brushes than calves that received negative handling (positive: 9.9%, negative: 7.9% of the total time). At three months of age, avoidance behaviour was re-tested, this time including 20 control animals of the same breed and age, reared routinely on-farm. Controls showed more avoidance behaviour (positive: 1.5, negative: 1.0, control: 0.3) and had a greater flight distance (positive: 3.3 m, negative: 3.7 m, control: 4.9 m). The results confirm existing literature demonstrating that the quantity and quality of handling influence the response towards humans. Little evidence was found that the type of early handling influences behaviours indicative of positive emotions.
Further evidence for the post-release survival of hand-reared, orphaned bats based on radio-tracking and ring-return data
Authors: Kelly A , Goodwin S , Grogan A , Mathews F
Published: September 2014

We recently used radio-tracking to demonstrate short-term, post-release survival of five orphaned, hand-reared pipistrelle bats. Here, we present further evidence of short-term, post-release survival and also demonstrate longer term survival using re-sighting data of ringed common(Pipistrellus pipistrellus)and soprano(Pipistrellus pygmaeus)pipistrelle bats. Ten bats (five common and five soprano pipistrelles) were radio-tracked for between one and ten days. Three of these were retrieved after one, two and four days, respectively. In addition, five of the 39 (13%) ringed bats returned to their release boxes between 38 and 1,389 days after release, at least two of which survived over the winter in the wild. A sixth ringed bat was retrieved 27 days after release after becoming trapped in a house. We also identified potential barriers to successful rehabilitation. Two of the ten bats radio-tracked in the current project became trapped within buildings and another bat had to be retrieved following entanglement with debris. We therefore recommend that attention be paid to giving bats the opportunity, prior to release, in identifying and using small exit holes similar to those found in buildings and loft spaces. We also recommend allowing bats to self-release following prolonged pre-release flight training in a large flight cage situated in suitable bat habitat.
Students’ attitudes to animal welfare and rights in Europe and Asia
Authors: Phillips CJC , Izmirli S , Aldavood SJ , Alonso M , Choe Bl , Hanlon A , Handziska A , Illmann G , Keeling L , Kennedy M , Lee GH , Lund V , Mejdell C , Pelagic VR , Rehn T
Published: September 2014

A survey of attitudes towards the welfare and rights of animals was conducted in universities in 11 European and Asian countries, to improve understanding of cultural differences that might impact on trade and international relations. Collaborators’ universities were recruited in each country to assist in the design, translation and administration of the survey via the internet in a convenient selection of the country's universities, providing 3,433 student responses from at least 103 universities. Respondents rated the acceptability of 43 major concerns about animals (focused on type of use, animal integrity, killing animals, animal welfare, experimentation on animals, changes in animal genotypes, the environment for animals and societal attitudes towards animals). Students from European countries had more concern for animal welfare than students from Asian countries, which may be partly explained by increased affluence of European students as there was a positive correlation between student expenditure and concern for animal welfare and rights. Southern and central European countries had most concern for animal rights and unnatural practices. Those in communist or former communist countries in Asia and Europe had most concern about killing animals and those in northern European countries the least. Regional similarities between neighbouring countries were evident in responses to animal issues and there were no differences between ethnic groups within a country. Thus, there were national and continental differences in European and Asian students’ attitudes to animals’ welfare and rights, which appear to arise as a result of the socio-political situation in regions rather than religious or other differences.
Aversion to nitrogen and carbon dioxide mixtures for stunning pigs
Authors: Llonch P , Dalmau A , Rodríguez P , Manteca X , Velarde A
Published: September 2014

Inhalation of concentrations greater than 30% of carbon dioxide (CO2) by volume in atmospheric air causes aversion in pigs. The objective of this study was to assess, using aversion learning techniques and behavioural studies, the aversion to three alternative gas mixtures of nitrogen (N2) and CO2: 70% N2and 30% CO2(70N30C), 80% N2and 20% CO2(80N20C) and 85% N2and 15% CO2(85N15C). The experiment consisted of two trials of three groups of ten pigs each. Pigs were placed individually at the starting point of the test facility and allowed to enter the crate of a dip-lift stunning system during one control session with atmospheric air and three treatment sessions with one of the gas treatments in each group. When the pit contained any of the three gas mixtures, the time taken to cross the raceway and enter the crate did not increase compared to the control session. However, when exposed to the gas mixtures, the majority (85.80%) of pigs performed attempted retreats in the crate, 22.22% exhibited escape attempts, and 7.91% vocalised, without differences between gas mixtures. The percentage of pigs gasping was higher when exposed to 70N30C compared to 80N20C and 85N15C. The results suggest that pigs show signs of aversion to the inhalation of 15 to 30% CO2in nitrogen atmosphere compared to atmospheric air but the aversion response did not increase in consecutive sessions.
The effect of investigator disturbance on egg laying, chick survival and fledging mass of short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) and little penguins (Eudyptula minor)
Authors: Vertigan C , McMahon CR , Andrews-Goff V , Hindell MA
Published: September 2014

Field-based animal researchers need to balance the potential adverse effects of their research activities against the benefits of research outcomes, but the data required to do this are often lacking. Assessing, and subsequently reporting the effects of researcher activities on wild animal populations can be difficult, so that studies to detect these effects sometimes lack rigour or fail to encompass sufficient time to ensure that the effects are tested under a range of environmental stresses. We monitored the effect of investigators working in colonies of two seabirds, the short-tailed shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris) and the little penguin (Eudyptula minor). Disturbance of breeding birds while checking nests or the weighing of chicks to monitor growth are very common activities for demographic and ecological studies, but how these activities may influence the birds is rarely measured. We investigated differing levels of disturbance during both activities between 2002-03 and 2008-09 to assess their effect on egg laying, chick survival and growth rate and observed no effect for nest checking or handling of short-tailed shearwaters and indeterminate effects for handling in little penguins. Over a period of several years the study has observed a large-scale decline in the number of breeding shearwaters and includes years when control nests had above and below average breeding success.
Gaétan Gervais : témoin et agent d’une mutation référentielle en Ontario français
Authors: Dorais François-Olivier
Published: September 2014

Cet article propose une analyse des dimensions intellectuelle et historienne de l’oeuvre de Gaétan Gervais, professeur d’histoire à l’Université Laurentienne de 1972 à 2008, dans son rapport avec le processus de recomposition des cadres de référence identitaire en Ontario français depuis la fin des années 1960 jusqu’à nos jours. En revisitant certains segments de son itinéraire intellectuel et professionnel, l’étude fait apparaître l’historien comme l’une des principales figures énonciatrices d’une représentation identitaire axée sur une continuité référentielle avec le Canada français, porteuse d’une ambition autonomiste. Suivant l’examen de son positionnement épistémologique, l’analyse présente, en dernière instance, quelques pistes de réflexion autour des enjeux liés à la pratique de l’histoire dans les milieux minoritaires.
Quelle place pour la science au sein de la musicologie aujourd’hui ?
Authors: Traube Caroline
Published: September 2014

De Pythagore à aujourd’hui, le rôle de la science dans l’étude de la musique a connu de nombreux positionnements et repositionnements. Avant la spécialisation des savoirs et le cloisonnement des disciplines qui se sont produits auxixe siècle, la musique pouvait être étudiée suivant différentes perspectives disciplinaires par un même savant, penseur ou philosophe. En 1885, Guido Adler formalise un modèle tripartite comprenant, d’une part, la musicologie historique et, d’autre part, la musicologie comparative, qui elle-même se scindera en l’ethnomusicologie et la musicologie systématique. Cette musicologie dite systématique, maintenant aussi appelée musicologie expérimentale ou musicologie computationnelle suivant les méthodes de recherche privilégiées, tire profit du développement de disciplines connexes, comme la neurocognition et les technologies du numérique. Aujourd’hui, elle se retrouve soutenue par la mobilisation récente desdigital humanities, concept qui a émergé il y a quelques années et qui désigne l’application du savoir-faire des technologies de l’information et de l’informatique à des problématiques relevant du domaine des sciences humaines et sociales.
Cannabinoid-induced actomyosin contractility shapes neuronal morphology and growth
Authors: Roland Alexandre B , Ricobaraza Ana , Carrel Damien , Jordan Benjamin M , Rico Felix , Simon Anne , Humbert-Claude Marie , Ferrier Jeremy , McFadden Maureen H , Scheuring Simon , Lenkei Zsolt
Published: September 2014

Endocannabinoids are recently recognized regulators of brain development, but molecular effectors downstream of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R)-activation remain incompletely understood. We report atypical coupling of neuronal CB1Rs, after activation by endo- or exocannabinoids such as the marijuana component ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, to heterotrimeric G12/G13 proteins that triggers rapid and reversible non-muscle myosin II (NM II) dependent contraction of the actomyosin cytoskeleton, through a Rho-GTPase and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). This induces rapid neuronal remodeling, such as retraction of neurites and axonal growth cones, elevated neuronal rigidity, and reshaping of somatodendritic morphology. Chronic pharmacological inhibition of NM II prevents cannabinoid-induced reduction of dendritic development in vitro and leads, similarly to blockade of endocannabinoid action, to excessive growth of corticofugal axons into the sub-ventricular zone in vivo. Our results suggest that CB1R can rapidly transform the neuronal cytoskeleton through actomyosin contractility, resulting in cellular remodeling events ultimately able to affect the brain architecture and wiring.
TAF4, a subunit of transcription factor II D, directs promoter occupancy of nuclear receptor HNF4A during post-natal hepatocyte differentiation
Authors: Alpern Daniil , Langer Diana , Ballester Benoit , Le Gras Stephanie , Romier Christophe , Mengus Gabrielle , Davidson Irwin
Published: September 2014

The functions of the TAF subunits of mammalian TFIID in physiological processes remain poorly characterised. In this study, we describe a novel function of TAFs in directing genomic occupancy of a transcriptional activator. Using liver-specific inactivation in mice, we show that the TAF4 subunit of TFIID is required for post-natal hepatocyte maturation. TAF4 promotes pre-initiation complex (PIC) formation at post-natal expressed liver function genes and down-regulates a subset of embryonic expressed genes by increased RNA polymerase II pausing. The TAF4–TAF12 heterodimer interacts directly with HNF4A and in vivo TAF4 is necessary to maintain HNF4A-directed embryonic gene expression at post-natal stages and promotes HNF4A occupancy of functional cis-regulatory elements adjacent to the transcription start sites of post-natal expressed genes. Stable HNF4A occupancy of these regulatory elements requires TAF4-dependent PIC formation highlighting that these are mutually dependent events. Local promoter-proximal HNF4A–TFIID interactions therefore act as instructive signals for post-natal hepatocyte differentiation.
A catch history for Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the eastern Canadian Arctic
Authors: Stewart D Bruce , Higdon Jeff W , Reeves Randall R , Stewart Robert EA
Published: September 2014

Knowledge of changes in abundance of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in Canada is important for assessing their current population status. This catch history collates available data and assesses their value for modelling historical populations to inform population recovery and management. Pre-historical (archaeological), historical (e.g., Hudson Bay Company journals) and modern catch records are reviewed over time by data source (whaler, land-based commercial, subsistence etc.) and biological population or management stock.Direct counts of walruses landed as well as estimates based on hunt products (e.g., hides, ivory) or descriptors (e.g., Peterhead boatloads) support a minimum landed catch of over 41,300 walruses in the eastern Canadian Arctic between 1820 and 2010. Little is known of Inuit catches prior to 1928, despite the importance of walruses to many Inuit groups for subsistence. Commercial hunting from the late 1500s to late 1700s extirpated the Atlantic walrus from Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces, but there was no commercial hunt for the species in the Canadian Arctic until ca. 1885. As the availability of bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) declined, whalers increasingly turned to hunting other species, including walruses. Modest numbers (max. 278/yr) were taken from the High Arctic population in the mid-1880s and large catches (up to 1400/yr) were often taken from the Central Arctic population from 1899 -1911, while the Foxe Basin stock (Central Arctic population) and Low Arctic population were largely ignored by commercial hunters. Land-based traders (ca. 1895-1928) continued the commercial hunt until regulatory changes in 1928 reserved walruses for Inuit use. Since 1950, reported walrus catches have been declining despite a steady increase in the Inuit population. Effort data are needed to assess whether lower catches stem from declining hunter effort or decreased walrus abundance. The recent take of walruses by sport hunting has been small (n=141, 1995-2010), sporadic and local.These landed catch estimates indicate the minimum numbers of walruses removed but do not account for under-reporting or lost animals that were killed but were not secured. Unreported and lost animals may represent a significant fraction of the total removals and must be considered in any modelling exercise. The sources, quality and completeness of the catch data vary widely over time and space and between the different hunt types. This variability confounds interpretation and contributes to the uncertainty that needs to be incorporated into any modelling. The data on Inuit subsistence catches before ca. 1928 are particularly fragmentary and uncertain.
Variability of Arctic sea‐ice topography and its impact on the atmospheric surface drag
Authors: Castellani G. , Lüpkes C. , Hendricks S. , Gerdes R.
Published: September 2014

Over the polar oceans, near‐surface atmospheric transport of momentum is strongly influenced by sea‐ice surface topography. The latter is analyzed on the basis of laser altimeter data obtained during airborne campaigns between 1995 and 2011 over more than 10,000 km of flight distance in different regions of the Arctic Ocean. Spectra of height and spacing between topographic features averaged over 10 km flight sections show that typical values are 0.45 m for the mean height and about 20 m for the mean spacing. Nevertheless, the variability is high and the spatial variability is stronger than the temporal one. The total topography spectrum is divided into a range with small obstacles (between 0.2 m and 0.8 m height) and large obstacles (≥0.8 m). Results show that large pressure ridges represent the dominant topographic feature only along the coast of Greenland. In the Central Arctic, the concentration of large ridges decreased over the years, accompanied by an increase of small obstacles concentration and this might be related to decreasing multiyear ice. The application of a topography‐dependent parameterization of neutral atmospheric drag coefficients reflects the large variability in the sea‐ice topography and reveals characteristic differences between the regions. Based on the analysis of the two spectral ranges, we find that the consideration of only large pressure ridges is not enough to characterize the roughness degree of an ice field, and the values of drag coefficients are in most regions strongly influenced by small obstacles.
A multiyear, global gridded fossil fuel CO2 emission data product: Evaluation and analysis of results
Authors: Asefi‐Najafabady S. , Rayner P. J. , Gurney K. R. , McRobert A. , Song Y. , Coltin K. , Huang J. , Elvidge C. , Baugh K.
Published: September 2014

High‐resolution, global quantification of fossil fuel CO2 emissions is emerging as a critical need in carbon cycle science and climate policy. We build upon a previously developed fossil fuel data assimilation system (FFDAS) for estimating global high‐resolution fossil fuel CO2 emissions. We have improved the underlying observationally based data sources, expanded the approach through treatment of separate emitting sectors including a new pointwise database of global power plants, and extended the results to cover a 1997 to 2010 time series at a spatial resolution of 0.1°. Long‐term trend analysis of the resulting global emissions shows subnational spatial structure in large active economies such as the United States, China, and India. These three countries, in particular, show different long‐term trends and exploration of the trends in nighttime lights, and population reveal a decoupling of population and emissions at the subnational level. Analysis of shorter‐term variations reveals the impact of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis with widespread negative emission anomalies across the U.S. and Europe. We have used a center of mass (CM) calculation as a compact metric to express the time evolution of spatial patterns in fossil fuel CO2 emissions. The global emission CM has moved toward the east and somewhat south between 1997 and 2010, driven by the increase in emissions in China and South Asia over this time period. Analysis at the level of individual countries reveals per capita CO2 emission migration in both Russia and India. The per capita emission CM holds potential as a way to succinctly analyze subnational shifts in carbon intensity over time. Uncertainties are generally lower than the previous version of FFDAS due mainly to an improved nightlight data set.
First “in situ” determination of gas transport coefficients (, , and ) from bulk gas concentration measurements (O2, N2, Ar) in natural sea ice
Authors: Crabeck Odile , Delille B. , Rysgaard S. , Thomas D. N. , Geilfus N.‐X. , Else B. , Tison J.‐L.
Published: September 2014

We report bulk gas concentrations of O2, N2, and Ar, as well as their transport coefficients, in natural landfast subarctic sea ice in southwest Greenland. The observed bulk ice gas composition was 27.5% O2, 71.4% N2, and 1.09% Ar. Most previous studies suggest that convective transport is the main driver of gas displacement in sea ice and have neglected diffusion processes. According to our data, brines were stratified within the ice, so that no convective transport could occur within the brine system. Therefore, diffusive transport was the main driver of gas migration. By analyzing the temporal evolution of an internal gas peak within the ice, we deduced the bulk gas transport coefficients for oxygen (DO2), argon (DAr), and nitrogen (DN2). The values fit to the few existing estimates from experimental work, and are close to the diffusivity values in water (10−5 cm2 s−1). We suggest that gas bubbles escaping from the brine to the atmosphere—as the ice gets more permeable during melt—could be responsible for the previously reported high transport coefficients. These results underline that when there is no convective transport within the sea ice, the transport of gas by diffusion through the brines, either in the liquid or gaseous phases, is a major factor in controlling the ocean‐atmosphere exchange.
Introduction of groundwater capillary rises using subgrid spatial variability of topography into the ISBA land surface model
Authors: Vergnes J.‐P. , Decharme B. , Habets F.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a simple method for representing upward capillary fluxes from shallow groundwater into the unsaturated soil column of the large‐scale hydrological models generally used at low resolution in global climate models. The groundwater scheme implemented in the Total Runoff Integrating Pathways river‐routing model in a previous study is coupled with the Interaction between Soil Biosphere Atmosphere (ISBA) land surface model. In this coupling, the simulated water table depth acts as the lower boundary condition for the soil moisture diffusive equation. An original parameterization accounting for the subgrid topography inside each grid cell is proposed in order to compute this fully coupled soil lower boundary condition. The impact of this coupling on the simulated water budget is evaluated over France for the 1989–2009 period. Simulations are performed at high (1/12°) and low (0.5°) resolutions. Upward capillary fluxes induce a decrease in the simulated recharge from ISBA to the aquifers and contributes to an enhancement of the soil moisture memory. The simulated water table depths are then lowered, which induces a slight decrease in the simulated mean annual river discharges. These differences do not affect the comparison with observations. As a consequence, the simulated river discharges and water table heads compare still well with observations for the two soil bottom condition (free drain or fully coupled). It confirms the suitability of the coupling parameterization using subgrid spatial variability of topography. Compared to a free drain experiment, upward capillary fluxes at the bottom of the soil increase the mean annual evapotranspiration simulated over the aquifer domain by 3.12% and 1.54% at high and low resolutions, respectively. This increase can locally reach 50% and 30%, respectively.
Heavily Doped poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Thin Films with High Carrier Mobility Deposited Using Oxidative CVD: Conductivity Stability and Carrier Transport
Authors: Lee Sunghwan , Paine David C. , Gleason Karen K.
Published: September 2014

The transparent conductingpoly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is of interest for various optoelectronic device applications. Here, the conductivity stability of PEDOT processed using oxidative chemical‐vapor‐deposition (oCVD) with FeCl3 as an oxidant is primarily dominated by the change in carrier density when aged in air. To establish the mechanism for the conductivity decrease, the changes in carrier density and carrier mobility of PEDOT films are separately monitored using an AC Hall Effect measurement system. The measured electrical properties reveal that a decrease in carrier density dominates the conductivity decrease during annealing. X‐ray diffraction analysis made on the HBr‐ and MeOH‐rinsed PEDOT samples identifies the Fe‐related dedoping phase of Fe(OH)2 and provides the dedoping mechanism. The carrier transport study demonstrates heavily doped oCVD PEDOT with the carrier density higher than ~1020 cm–3, and in this regime, an increase in carrier density yields lower carrier mobility which shows that the carrier transport is governed by the ionized impurity scattering mechanism due to increased dopant counter‐anions. These findings of the mechanisms for PEDOT conductivity decrease and carrier transport behavior may be important to organic optoelectronic device applications that show a strong effect of air‐exposure and low‐temperature annealing on the device stability and performance.
Covalent Functionalization of Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes with a Gadolinium Chelate for Efficient T1‐Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Marangon Iris , Ménard‐Moyon Cécilia , Kolosnjaj‐Tabi Jelena , Béoutis Marie Lys , Lartigue Lénaic , Alloyeau Damien , Pach Elzbieta , Ballesteros Belén , Autret Gwennhael , Ninjbadgar Tsedev , Brougham Dermot F. , Bianco Alberto , Gazeau Florence
Published: September 2014

Given the promise of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for photothermal therapy, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and gene therapy, there is a need for non‐invasive imaging methods to monitor CNT distribution and fate in the body. In this study, non‐ionizing whole‐body high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to follow the distribution of water‐dispersible non‐toxic functionalized CNTs administrated intravenously to mice. Oxidized CNTs are endowed with positive MRI contrast properties by covalent functionalization with the chelating ligand diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride (DTPA), followed by chelation to Gd3+. The structural and magnetic properties, MR relaxivities, cellular uptake, and application for MRI cell imaging of Gd‐CNTs in comparison to the precursor oxidized CNTs are evaluated. Despite the intrinsic T2 contrast of oxidized CNTs internalized in macrophages, the anchoring of paramagnetic gadolinium onto the nanotube sidewall allows efficient T1 contrast and MR signal enhancement, which is preserved after CNT internalization by cells. Hence, due to their high dispersibility, Gd‐CNTs have the potential to produce positive contrast in vivo following injection into the bloodstream. The uptake of Gd‐CNTs in the liver and spleen is assessed using MRI, while rapid renal clearance of extracellular Gd‐CNTs is observed, confirming the evidences of other studies using different imaging modalities.
Synchrotron Soft X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Carbon and Silicon Nanostructures for Energy Applications
Authors: Zhong Jun , Zhang Hui , Sun Xuhui , Lee Shuit‐Tong
Published: September 2014

Carbon and silicon materials are two of the most important materials involved in the history of the science and technology development. In the last two decades, C and Si nanoscale materials, e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, and silicon nanowires, and quantum dots, have also emerged as the most interesting nanomaterials in nanoscience and nanotechnology for their myriad promising applications such as for electronics, sensors, biotechnology, etc. In particular, carbon and silicon nanostructures are being utilized in energy‐related applications such as catalysis, batteries, solar cells, etc., with significant advances. Understanding of the nature of surface and electronic structures of nanostructures plays a key role in the development and improvement of energy conversion and storage nanosystems. Synchrotron soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and related techniques, such as X‐ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM), show unique capability in revealing the surface and electronic structures of C and Si nanomaterials. In this review, XAS is demonstrated as a powerful technique for probing chemical bonding, the electronic structure, and the surface chemistry of carbon and silicon nanomaterials, which can greatly enhance the fundamental understanding and also applicability of these nanomaterials in energy applications. The focus is on the unique advantages of XAS as a complementary tool to conventional microscopy and spectroscopy for effectively providing chemical and structural information about carbon and silicon nanostructures. The employment of XAS for in situ, real‐time study of property evolution of C and Si nanostructures to elucidate the mechanisms in energy conversion or storage processes is also discussed.
Applications of Synchrotron‐Based Spectroscopic Techniques in Studying Nucleic Acids and Nucleic Acid‐Functionalized Nanomaterials
Authors: Wu Peiwen , Yu Yang , McGhee Claire E. , Tan Li Huey , Lu Yi
Published: September 2014

In this review, we summarize recent progress in the application of synchrotron‐based spectroscopic techniques for nucleic acid research that takes advantage of high‐flux and high‐brilliance electromagnetic radiation from synchrotron sources. The first section of the review focuses on the characterization of the structure and folding processes of nucleic acids using different types of synchrotron‐based spectroscopies, such as X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray emission spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism, X‐ray footprinting and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. In the second section, the characterization of nucleic acid‐based nanostructures, nucleic acid‐functionalized nanomaterials and nucleic acid‐lipid interactions using these spectroscopic techniques is summarized. Insights gained from these studies are described and future directions of this field are also discussed.
High‐Efficiency Nanostructured Silicon Solar Cells on a Large Scale Realized Through the Suppression of Recombination Channels
Authors: Zhong Sihua , Huang Zengguang , Lin Xingxing , Zeng Yang , Ma Yechi , Shen Wenzhong
Published: September 2014

Nanostructured silicon solar cells show great potential for new‐generation photovoltaics due to their ability to approach ideal light‐trapping. However, the nanofeatured morphology that brings about the optical benefits also introduces new recombination channels, and severe deterioration in the electrical performance even outweighs the gain in optics in most attempts. This Research News article aims to review the recent progress in the suppression of carrier recombination in silicon nanostructures, with the emphasis on the optimization of surface morphology and controllable nanostructure height and emitter doping concentration, as well as application of dielectric passivation coatings, providing design rules to realize high‐efficiency nanostructured silicon solar cells on a large scale.