bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disponibilidad y uso del agua en el oasis de los Comondú, Baja California Sur: retos y oportunidades para el desarrollo rural
Authors: Gámez Alba E. , Wurl Jobst , Graciano Juan Carlos
Published: January 2017

El desarrollo en las zonas áridas está estrechamente relacionado con la disponibilidad y calidad del recurso agua tanto para uso humano como productivo. Este artículo se refiere a su estado actual, disponibilidad y uso en San Miguel y San José de Comondú, dos comunidades-oasis de Baja California Sur, México, en el contexto de una política pública que promueve su crecimiento con base en la explotación de su potencial turístico. Con esto se pretende ofrecer un marco de referencia para comprender la cultura ambiental y de manejo hídrico en esas poblaciones, así como ofrecer opciones para un mejor uso de este recurso en una zona vulnerable, que es representativa de localidades sudcalifornianas aisladas, pero en vías de integración a los procesos económicos y de urbanización que se viven en la entidad.
Capacidad de gestión institucional desde el enfoque de los derechos de la niñez en Tijuana
Authors: Flores Palacios Luz Mariana , Ramos García José María
Published: January 2017

En este artículo se presenta una valoración sobre la capacidad institucional para implantar una gestión con enfoque de derechos de niñez en Tijuana, Baja California, México. Las categorías analizadas fueron: el factor humano, la estructura institucional, el diseño del proceso de gestión de las acciones que se realizan con y para la niñez, la experiencia en gestión estratégica, la autonomía y el estímulo. Los resultados muestran que las principales limitantes en la gestión pública municipal, para la plena garantía y protección de los derechos de la niñez, son el poco conocimiento y capacitación de los funcionarios públicos municipales sobre los derechos de la niñez, la limitada referencia a la Convención de los Derechos del Niño en las políticas públicas y la visión tradicional en la gestión pública, manifestada en una participación social jerárquica y clientelar.
Sonora, territorio mariano. La Virgen de Loreto en Bacadéhuachi
Authors: Enríquez Licón Dora Elvia , Donjuan Espinoza Esperanza , Padilla Ramos Raquel
Published: January 2017

Los jesuitas difundieron la devoción mariana en el actual estado de Sonora, entre los siglos XVII y XVIII, como estrategia nuclear para lograr la conversión de los indios, pues en su imaginario la Virgen María estaba revestida con las facultades necesarias para vencer al demonio; en este artículo se ofrece una perspectiva amplia de dicho proceso de difusión. Al recibir la nueva veneración, los indígenas dotaron a los símbolos religiosos con sus significaciones propias arraigando de manera sólida el culto popular a la Virgen María en sus distintas advocaciones, expresión religiosa que llega hasta el presente, pues en numerosos pueblos la Virgen sigue presidiendo las fiestas patronales. Con el propósito de mostrar la persistencia de tal imaginario religioso, aquí se expone, con particular interés, la gran relevancia que la devoción mariana ha tenido en el pueblo de Bacadéhuachi, donde la veneración a la Virgen de Loreto constituye en la actualidad su festividad más importante.
Determinantes de la capacidad de innovación regional en México. Una tipología de las regiones
Authors: Sánchez Tovar Yesenia , García Fernández Francisco , Mendoza Flores Esteban
Published: January 2017

El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar una tipología regional de la capacidad de innovación en México y su efecto en el crecimiento económico. Se realizó un estudio a partir de 14 indicadores determinantes de la capacidad de innovación regional, a través de un análisis de sus componentes principales: estructura socioeconómica, estructura productiva y los recursos regionales dedicados a la innovación, para identificar sus dimensiones. Este estudio hizo posible el análisis de conglomerados que reúnen en cinco grupos a los 31 estados de la república (y el Distrito Federal). Se obtuvo una relación positiva muy baja entre esfuerzo innovador y crecimiento económico, lo cual puede ser resultado de las diferencias tan significativas entre las regiones de México, en cuanto a su comportamiento innovador.
Conflicto socioambiental entre el gobierno y los mineros: la historia de un área natural protegida en el norte de México
Authors: Pallanez Murrieta Maribel , Moreno Vázquez José Luis
Published: January 2017

Aquí se describe la dinámica del conflicto ocurrido de 1997 a 2003 entre un grupo de mineros, como opositores, y de instituciones del gobierno  mexicano, como promotores, derivado de la propuesta de decreto del área natural protegida denominada Reserva de la Biosfera Mavavi, que cubría 780 114 ha, en una zona de relevancia hidrológica para los estados de Sonora, en México, y de Arizona, en Estados Unidos. El proceso parecía exitoso, pero se complicó debido a los elementos empleados por los opositores, quienes lograron la no política de conservación. En el artículo se analizan las dinámicas, los actores y las estrategias seguidas por cada una de las partes, que derivaron en la cancelación del decreto, ya que los mineros no tuvieron contrapeso en los promotores, como resultado de elementos de política nacional y local, ausencia del involucramiento público y falta de coordinación de las agencias gubernamentales que promovían la propuesta.
La tortilla como identidad culinaria y producto de consumo global
Authors: Calleja Pinedo Margarita , Valenzuela María Basilia
Published: January 2017

La tortilla forma parte de la identidad culinaria de los mexicanos que viven en México o en el extranjero; es un componente básico de los antojitos, acompaña a los platillos festivos y es un suministro consuetudinario en la comida. Desde la época colonial, españoles, indios y mexicanos produjeron en el norte del país una cultura culinaria, hoy conocida como tex-mex, que ha sido recreada por las olas constantes de migrantes, y aunque en México fue rechazada, en Estados Unidos y en el imaginario global es reconocida como mexicana, de la que la tortilla de maíz o de trigo es un elemento identificador. A medida que las innovaciones en la comida rápida aumentan, la tortilla se ha convertido en un objeto comestible para el consumo global, desarraigado del patrimonio culinario de origen; como sucede en Shanghai, China, el caso analizado aquí.
El proyecto para la capilla de la Inquisición
Authors: De la Maza Francisco
Published: January 2017

.
Cuadros desconocidos de Alonso López de Herrera
Authors: Toussaint Manuel
Published: January 2017

.
KELUHAN WARGA AKIBAT KABUT ASAP DI KOTA PEKANBARU
Authors: Awaluddin Awaluddin
Published: January 2017

Forest fires have always occurred in Riau Province since the last 18 years. Forest fires have an impact on humans. This study aimed to describe the symptoms of citizens of Pekanbaru city due to the haze in 2015. This study is a quantitative research using descriptive method with cross sectional approach. This research was conducted in the Pekanbaru city starting on 10 - 31 October 2015. The study population was haze affected residents in Pekanbaru. The sampling technique was accidental sampling method. The number of samples was 343 people. Measuring instrument used was the observation sheet by asking to citizens who perceived symptoms since the haze in the Pekanbaru city. Data were analyzed descriptively. The research result is known that the age group of respondents who have symptoms due to haze majority was 18-60 years with 140 respondents (40.8%), sex were women as many as 250 respondents (72.9% ) and symptoms of citizens is most coughs and colds as many as 111 respondents (32.4%). Expected to residents who affected by smog haze to reduce activities outside the home and if the need to leave home in order to use a mask, improve nutritional status and drink lots of water.
RELATIONSHIP CHARACTERISTICS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF COMMUNICATION WITH NURSES IN THE THERAPEUTIC INPATIENT
Authors: Widiawati Susi
Published: January 2017

Therapeutic communication is a communication that aims to therapy in order to accelerate the healing process of patients, as for the purpose of this research is to get an overview and the relationship between the characteristics, knowledge, attitude communicates with the implementation of therapeutic nurse. This study used cross sectional design. with a sample size of 50 nurses conduct. The technique of taking sampil simple random sampling. Instrument used questionnaires and observation sheets with Spearman Correlation test.
 The results of the univariate analysis found 42 (84%) of nurses aged 25-35 years (young adult), 30 (60%) of nurses who work ≥ 5 years. 27 (54%) of nurses had good knowledge, 33 (66%) positive attitude of nurses and 30 (60%) of nurses carry out therapeutic communication well. Spearman correlation test results stating there is no correlation between age and the p-value 0.221 (> 0.50), there is a weak correlation between long relationship working with a p-value of 0.040 (<0.50), there is a correlation between knowledge with p Value-0.45 (<0.50), and there is a very strong correlation between attitude to the implementation of therapeutic communication with a p-value of 0.00 (<0.50).
Female-biased herbivory in fourwing saltbush browsed by cattle
Authors: Cibils A. F. , Swift D. M. , Hart R. H. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: January 2017

Female fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens Pursh [Nutt.]) shrubs are more abundant in exclosures than in adjacent grazed pastures at our research site on the shortgrass steppe in Colorado. We hypothesized that female shrubs at this site were being browsed more heavily by cattle than were male shrubs. We conducted a series of 2-year experiments (1997 and 1998) with cattle to measure levels of cattle utilization of male and female shrubs. Overall, utilization of marked leaders was 43.5% in January, 19.7% in April, and 33.4% in September. Percent utilization of marked leaders was consistently and significantly higher on female shrubs both in January (females: 46.5%, males: 40.2%), and September (females: 36.9%, males: 29.9%). In April, differences in utilization of shrub sexes were not significant (females: 20.3%, males: 19.2%). The female-bias in cattle herbivory increased significantly with increasing overall utilization of shrubs. Gender-biased herbivory may have promoted higher mortality among female shrubs, leading to the sex ratio alteration previously observed at this site.
Intraosseous lipoma - A rare cause of ‘cystic’ lesion of calcaneum
Authors: Vijayan P , Babitha AM , Ilias LM , Ponniah A
Published: January 2017

Intraosseous lipoma is an uncommon benign bone neoplasm with most of them detected incidentally on multimodality imaging while being evaluated for an unrelated pathology. Long and cancellous bones are commonly involved. This lesion can present a diagnostic challenge to those uninitiated in its appearence because they can be often mistaken for other benign or malignant bone lesions such as enchondroma, fibrous dysplasia, osteoblastoma, bone infarct, bone cyst and chondrosarcoma.   Here we report a case of symptomatic calcaneal lipoma in a 50 year old lady who presented with heel pain. Plain X-ray suggested cystic lesion of calcaneum. MRI revealed the presence of intralesional fat and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. We present this report for its rarity and  the clinching MRI features of this lesion, the excellent prognosis and near negligible recurrence rates, so that misdiagnosis leading to unnecessary workup, biopsy and treatment may be avoided, especially in asymptomatic patients.
Papillary carcinoma thyroid – A cytomorphological study
Authors: Bhat A , Varma L , Fernandes H , Jayaprakash CS
Published: January 2017

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a widely accepted diagnostic tool for thyroid lesions. It is well known that nuclear features form the mainstay of diagnosis for papillary carcinoma thyroid. Focal nuclear features can be missed unless carefully looked for and pose diagnostic dif culty. The aim was to study the cytomorphological features of papillary carcinoma thyroid and to calculate the percentage of nuclear grooving. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out by reviewing the data and cytology smears of 21 histopathologically con rmed cases of papillary carcinoma thyroid. The percentage of nuclear grooves was calculated in oil immersion by counting 200 to 500 cells depending on the cellularity. The study was approved by the institution ethical and research committee. Results: Out of the total 21 cases, 03(14.2%) were males and 18(83.8%) were females. Mean age was 38.9years. Predominant papillary arrangement was seen in 17(80.9%) of the cases. Nuclear crowding and overlapping, pale chromatin, nuclear grooves, nuclear enlargement and prominent nucleoli were seen in all (100%) the cases. Intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions were seen in only 5(23.8%) of the cases. The percentage of nuclear grooving ranged from 15% to 85%. Greater than 20% nuclear grooves were observed in 19(90.4%) of the cases. Histiocytes, metaplastic cells and multinucleated giant cells were seen in 12(57.1%), 10(47.6%) and 6(28.5%) of the cases. Conclusion: The cytologic diagnosis of papillary carcinoma is easy when majority of the classical features are present. But it becomes really challenging when the features are either present focally or classical features are absent.
Role of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase activity and lymphocytosis in the etiological diagnosis
Authors: Pande K , Shrestha S , Shrestha A , Prasad KBR , Rauniyar SK , Pudasaini S , Pathak R
Published: January 2017

Background: Pleural effusion is a common medical condition with many possible underlying etiologies. However, Tuberculosis is the most common cause of pleural effusion especially in countries like Nepal. Pleural uid lymphocytosis is seen in tuberculosis, malignancy and few auto-immune diseases. Adenosine Deaminase activity (ADA) level in tubercular pleural effusion is markedly increased compared to non-tubercular effusions. ADA estimation being a simple colorimetric method is suitable for the rapid diagnosis of tubercular effusion. This study aims to correlate the diagnostic ef cacy of ADA with the value of differential count (lymphocytosis) in establishing different etiology of pleural effusion. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study of 50 cases with pleural effusion carried out in the department of Pathology, Green city hospital for the duration of Twenty one month’s dating from October 2014 to July 2016 AD. Results: Of all, tubercular pleural effusion accounted for 26%. ADA level was raised (≥40U/L) in 92% of Tubercular pleural effusion. The sensitivity and speci city of ADA alone to diagnose tubercular pleural effusion was 92% each and when lymphocytosis alone was considered sensitivity was 85% with speci city of 32% whereas the combined effect of both ADA with lymphocytosis was 100% (sensitivity) and 87% (speci city), 83% (positive predictive value) and 100% (negative predictive value) respectively with statistically signi cant p value (<0.05). Conclusion: We can conclude that the combination of pleural uid differential count (lymphocytosis >50%) and ADA level >40U/L provides with much more positive result than each component alone in differentiating tubercular effusion from other etiologies.
Urban Captivity Narratives: Captivity and Confession in Women's Writing
Authors: Hillsburg Heather
Published: January 2017

This paper explores the emergence of narratives (memoirs, literary, and young adult fiction) that chronicle the abduction and prolonged captivity of young women. This paper names this genre the “urban captivity narrative” and maps the social and political factors that inform its widespread popularity. These factors include the post-9/11 social and political climate, our social fixation on damsels in distress, the primacy of the sexual confession, and renewed fears surrounding paedophilia and sexual predators.
The efficacy of functional supports in mediating the effects of exercise on shoulder joint position sense
Authors: Wilson Lynsey M. , Greig Matt
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND: Prolonged exercise and joint position sense are considered aetiological risk factors for shoulder injury in overhead sports.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a neoprene sleeve and kinesiology tape (KT) in mediating the effect of exercise on shoulder joint position sense.

METHODS: 25 overhead sports participants (women - 10, men - 15) completed 30 maximal isokinetic repetitions at 120°/s of three shoulder exercise protocols: 9090 (seated 90° shoulder abduction, 90° elbow flexion), modified neutral (seated 45° shoulder abduction, 90° elbow flexion in the scapular plane) and diagonal (seated GHJ flexion, abduction, external rotation and extension, adduction and internal rotation). Absolute error in active reproduction of passive positioning was assessed pre- and post-exercise at 10°/s. This was conducted for end range internal and external rotation, and mid-range.

RESULTS: A repeated measures general linear model revealed no significant main effect for gender or exercise in any test position. A main effect for support condition was observed pre-exercise in the KT condition, with JPS significantly (p< 0.01) impaired (5.30 ± 2.16°) relative to baseline control scores (4.11 ± 2.81°) in end range external rotation at the 9090 position.

CONCLUSION: Results indicated that neither neoprene nor kinesio-tape were more effective in limiting the effects of exercise on joint position sense (JPS). Healthy, un-injured overhead athletes may not need to consider taping or supportive device, indeed KT application was observed to impair JPS in specific movements.
Development of a sensor for measuring tactile sensation of hair by using artificial hair
Authors: Kakizawa Minori , Kawasoe Tomoyuki , Otsuka Sho , Tanaka Mami , Okuyama Takeshi , Kono Takafumi , Horihata Atsushi
Published: January 2017

Tactile sensation of hair such as moist and smooth is usually evaluated by touching the surface of hair and it is essential element for evaluating hair condition. However, the use of words and evaluation by people lack precision because there are individual variations in the hair condition and one's sense of value. The sensor which measures frictional vibration when rubbing the surface of hair with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film was developed for measuring tactile sensation of hair. Artificial hairs were also developed for minimizing individual variations of hair condition. In this study, the sensor outputs were compared with artificial hairs with various tactile sensations which were characterized by factor analysis. Results showed that the sensor outputs were correlated with the factor scores of the artificial hairs. In addition, the sensor outputs were also correlated with fiber fineness and the amount of the surface coating of the artificial hairs. The evaluation using the sensor was found to be useful for both evaluating the hair condition and the tactile sensation of hair.
Maximization of scanning range for a piezo-driven antenna orientation stage
Authors: Shao Shubao , Xu Minglong , Zhang Feng , Song Siyang , Chen Jie
Published: January 2017

A piezo-driven antenna orientation stage is presented where two pairs of rhombic piezoelectric actuators (RPAs) are used to achieve the out-of-plane antenna motion, and the scanning range of this stage is maximized by maximizing the strokes of the RPA pairs. Two maximization strategies are implemented and compared. The first is based on an analytical model, and the second is based on a finite element (FE) model. The analytical model usually shows large errors because of the simplifications that must be made during structural analysis and because it ignores the electromechanical coupling characteristics of the piezo-stack. In contrast, the FE model can provide much more accurate solutions by considering the piezo-stack and its electromechanical coupling characteristics. Then, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method, which is independent of the mathematical models, is used to determine the optimal FE model parameters. In this way, more accurate optimal geometrical parameters are obtained for the rhombic amplifier. Finally, two specimens, which have different optimal geometrical parameters from the analytical and FE models, are fabricated and tested for comparison. The experimental results show that the optimization method based on the FE model is feasible, and is more accurate and efficient.
Effect of calmodulin on the stimulation of capacitation and acrosome reaction of frozen thawed bull spermatozoa
Authors: Akter QS , Tareq KMA , Hamano K , Gilchrist RB
Published: January 2017

Capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR) are the prerequisites for successful fertilization by mammalian spermatozoa. Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) has a regulatory role in sperm motility, capacitation, and AR. Calmodulin (CaM) antagonists calmidazolium (CZ) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W7) were used to investigate the possible role of CaM, a Ca2+ specific binding protein, on motility, capacitation and AR of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa. Capacitation and AR in sperm were evaluated by using chlortetracycline (CTC) staining technique. Addition of the 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and 100 ?M 1-methy l-3-isobutylxanthine (IBMX) to CaM antagonists treated sperm incubated in the presence of NaHCO3 and CaCl2 in media overcome the inhibitory effects of these antagonists to support capacitation and AR at 4 h of incubation period. In contrast, addition of dbcAMP with IBMX induced AR in spermatozoa incubated with NaHCO3-free medium but these compounds did not induce AR in cells incubated in CaCl2-free medium. However, the addition of dbcAMP and IBMX partially, but significantly (p<0.01) reversed the inhibitory effect of W7 and CZ on the sperm capacitation and AR. These results suggest that CaM may play an important role in the regulation of capacitation and AR in frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (3): 1-9
Morphometric characterization of Katjang goat of Malaysia
Authors: Khandoker MAMY , Syafiee M , Rahman MSR
Published: January 2017

Morphometric characterization of Katjang goat in Malaysia is important for conservation and for further genetic improvement. With this idea in view the present study was carried out to characterize the morphometry and to estimate the relationship among the important morphometric traits of indigenous Katjang goat. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FSA), surrounding area of FSA Sandakan, Sabah and Batu Pahat, Johor in Malaysia. Characteristics of body weight (BW), body length (BL), heart girth (HG), wither height (WH), hip height (HH), fore leg length (FLL), hind leg length (HLL), head length (HeL), head width (HW), ear length(EL), ear breadth (EB), tail length (TL), scrotal length (SL) and scrotal circumference (SC) were gathered. In a single parameter as body weight of Katjang bucks at below 1 year, 1-2 year and > 2 years ages were recorded to be 7.41 ± 0.27, 14.20±0.20 and25.83 ± 0.99 kg, respectively. On the hand, body weight of Katjang does at 1-2 year and > 2 years ages were observed to be 12.41 ± 0.41 and 23.65±0.87 kg, respectively. In both sexes, head length, head width, tail length, ear length, ear breath, body weight, body length, hearth girth, wither height, leg length, hip height increases with the increment of the age of goat. On the other hand, all the parameters contemplated found comparatively higher in bucks than that of does.  Strong positive correlation was observed between scrotal length and scrotal circumference in Katjang bucks.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (3): 17-24
Efficacy of exogenous phytase supplementation on production performance of commercial broiler
Authors: Parvin E , Khatun MA , Yeasmin T , Sharmin MM
Published: January 2017

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing of exogenous phytase enzyme on productivity of commercial broilers. Four strains of commercial broiler such as Fast feather, Arbor acres, Cobb-500 and Hubbard classic each having 78 numbers were reared for a period of 5 weeks. A total number of 312 day old broiler chicks were distributed into two dietary treatments i.e. basal diet (Control-T0) and basal diet supplemented with phytase enzyme 1g/kg feed (supplemented-T1). The results indicated that broilers fed on diets supplemented with phytase have gained more body weight when compared with control group (P<0.05). The first and second highest body weights were recorded for the strains Cobb-500 and First feather broilers, respectively, which feed on diet containing phytase.   Feed consumption varied significantly between the broilers on different dietary regimes. Significant differences (P<0.01) were found in feed conversion ratios among the birds fed on diet with phytase enzyme. The lowest feed conversion ratio was in Cobb-500 fed on phytase diet where as the highest was in Fast Feather provided with only basal diet during the 5th week of age. Average feed conversion ratios were 1.73 and 1.86 for the supplemented and control group respectively. Use of phytase as feed additive in the diet resulted in high profitability/ broiler. Net profit per live broiler was the also higher in treatment group compared with control groups of birds. The highest net profit per live broiler was observed in Arbor Across strains fed on phytase diet. The result of the present study suggests that the addition of dietary phytase enzyme in the diet of broiler may increase the production performance and reduce the cost of production.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (3): 31-39
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Antibiotics in 2016
Authors:   Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Antibiotics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Larval Survivorship and Settlement of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) at Varying Algal Cell Densities
Authors: Pratchett Morgan , Dworjanyn Symon , Mos Benjamin , Caballes Ciemon , Thompson Cassandra , Blowes Shane
Published: January 2017

The dispersal potential of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) larvae is important in understanding both the initiation and spread of population outbreaks, and is fundamentally dependent upon how long larvae can persist while still retaining the capacity to settle. This study quantified variation in larval survivorship and settlement rates for CoTS maintained at three different densities of a single-celled flagellate phytoplankton, Proteomonas sulcata (1 × 103, 1 × 104, and 1 × 105 cells/mL). Based on the larval starvation hypothesis, we expected that low to moderate levels of phytoplankton prey would significantly constrain both survival and settlement. CoTS larvae were successfully maintained for up to 50 days post-fertilization, but larval survival differed significantly between treatments. Survival was greatest at intermediate food levels (1 × 104 cells/mL), and lowest at high (1 × 105 cells/mL) food levels. Rates of settlement were also highest at intermediate food levels and peaked at 22 days post-fertilization. Peak settlement was delayed at low food levels, probably reflective of delayed development, but there was no evidence of accelerated development at high chlorophyll concentrations. CoTS larvae were recorded to settle 17–43 days post-fertilization, but under optimum conditions with intermediate algal cell densities, peak settlement occurred at 22 days post-fertilization. Natural fluctuations in nutrient concentrations and food availability may affect the number of CoTS that effectively settle, but seem unlikely to influence dispersal dynamics.
Inclusive Education as a Democratic Challenge—Ambivalences of Communities in Contexts of Power
Authors: Kricke Meike , Neubert Stefan
Published: January 2017

Our essay is keyed to the second and fourth chapter of Dewey’s Democracy and Education. We start by looking at education as a social function and close with education as growth. References will be made to other writings of Dewey’s, especially from the later works. We connect Dewey’s classical approach with inclusion as a feature of contemporary debates in educational theory and practice. Within this frame, we also draw critical connections to selected perspectives from Michel Foucault and Zygmunt Bauman. The aim is twofold: First, we wish to show the lasting relevance of Dewey’s approach in and for our time. Second, we intend to invite some perspectives for reconstructing the Deweyan tradition in accordance with more recent developments and challenges, including the ambivalences of communities in modernity, especially in times of liquid modernity as described by Bauman.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Education Sciences in 2016
Authors:   Education Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Education Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Thermal Analysis of a Solar Powered Absorption Cooling System with Fully Mixed Thermal Storage at Startup
Authors: Stanciu Camelia , Stanciu Dorin , Gheorghian Adina-Teodora
Published: January 2017

A simple effect one stage ammonia-water absorption cooling system fueled by solar energy is analyzed. The considered system is composed by a parabolic trough collector concentrating solar energy into a tubular receiver for heating water. This is stored in a fully mixed thermal storage tank and used in the vapor generator of the absorption cooling system. Time dependent cooling load is considered for the air conditioning of a residential two-storey house. A parametric study is performed to analyze the operation stability of the cooling system with respect to solar collector and storage tank dimensions. The results emphasized that there is a specific storage tank dimension associated to a specific solar collector dimension that could ensure the longest continuous startup operation of the cooling system when constant mass flow rates inside the system are assumed.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Healthcare in 2016
Authors:   Healthcare Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Healthcare would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Monitoring Lead (Pb) Pollution and Identifying Pb Pollution Sources in Japan Using Stable Pb Isotope Analysis with Kidneys of Wild Rats
Authors: Nakata Hokuto , Nakayama Shouta , Oroszlany Balazs , Ikenaka Yoshinori , Mizukawa Hazuki , Tanaka Kazuyuki , Harunari Tsunehito , Tanikawa Tsutomu , Darwish Wageh , Yohannes Yared , Saengtienchai Aksorn , Ishizuka Mayumi
Published: January 2017

Although Japan has been considered to have little lead (Pb) pollution in modern times, the actual pollution situation is unclear. The present study aims to investigate the extent of Pb pollution and to identify the pollution sources in Japan using stable Pb isotope analysis with kidneys of wild rats. Wild brown (Rattus norvegicus, n = 43) and black (R. rattus, n = 98) rats were trapped from various sites in Japan. Mean Pb concentrations in the kidneys of rats from Okinawa (15.58 mg/kg, dry weight), Aichi (10.83), Niigata (10.62), Fukuoka (8.09), Ibaraki (5.06), Kyoto (4.58), Osaka (4.57), Kanagawa (3.42), and Tokyo (3.40) were above the threshold (2.50) for histological kidney changes. Similarly, compared with the previous report, it was regarded that even structural and functional kidney damage as well as neurotoxicity have spread among rats in Japan. Additionally, the possibility of human exposure to a high level of Pb was assumed. In regard to stable Pb isotope analysis, distinctive values of stable Pb isotope ratios (Pb-IRs) were detected in some kidney samples with Pb levels above 5.0 mg/kg. This result indicated that composite factors are involved in Pb pollution. However, the identification of a concrete pollution source has not been accomplished due to limited differences among previously reported values of Pb isotope composition in circulating Pb products. Namely, the current study established the limit of Pb isotope analysis for source identification. Further detailed research about monitoring Pb pollution in Japan and the demonstration of a novel method to identify Pb sources are needed.
The HIV-1 Vpr Protein: A Multifaceted Target for Therapeutic Intervention
Authors: González María
Published: January 2017

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr protein is an attractive target for antiretroviral drug development. The conservation both of the structure along virus evolution and the amino acid sequence in viral isolates from patients underlines the importance of Vpr for the establishment and progression of HIV-1 disease. While its contribution to virus replication in dividing and non-dividing cells and to the pathogenesis of HIV-1 in many different cell types, both extracellular and intracellular forms, have been extensively studied, its precise mechanism of action nevertheless remains enigmatic. The present review discusses how the apparently multifaceted interplay between Vpr and host cells may be due to the impairment of basic metabolic pathways. Vpr protein modifies host cell energy metabolism, oxidative status, and proteasome function, all of which are likely conditioned by the concentration and multimerization of the protein. The characterization of Vpr domains along with new laboratory tools for the assessment of their function has become increasingly relevant in recent years. With these advances, it is conceivable that drug discovery efforts involving Vpr-targeted antiretrovirals will experience substantial growth in the coming years.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Laws in 2016
Authors:   Laws Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Laws would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Biocompatibility and Inflammatory Potential of Titanium Alloys Cultivated with Human Osteoblasts, Fibroblasts and Macrophages
Authors: Markhoff Jana , Krogull Martin , Schulze Christian , Rotsch Christian , Hunger Sandra , Bader Rainer
Published: January 2017

The biomaterials used to maintain or replace functions in the human body consist mainly of metals, ceramics or polymers. In orthopedic surgery, metallic materials, especially titanium and its alloys, are the most common, due to their excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. Aside from the established Ti6Al4V alloy, shape memory materials such as nickel-titanium (NiTi) have risen in importance, but are also discussed because of the adverse effects of nickel ions. These might be reduced by specific surface modifications. In the present in vitro study, the osteoblastic cell line MG-63 as well as primary human osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and macrophages were cultured on titanium alloys (forged Ti6Al4V, additive manufactured Ti6Al4V, NiTi, and Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC)-coated NiTi) to verify their specific biocompatibility and inflammatory potential. Additive manufactured Ti6Al4V and NiTi revealed the highest levels of metabolic cell activity. DLC-coated NiTi appeared as a suitable surface for cell growth, showing the highest collagen production. None of the implant materials caused a strong inflammatory response. In general, no distinct cell-specific response could be observed for the materials and surface coating used. In summary, all tested titanium alloys seem to be biologically appropriate for application in orthopedic surgery.
Time Course Exo-Metabolomic Profiling in the Green Marine Macroalga Ulva (Chlorophyta) for Identification of Growth Phase-Dependent Biomarkers
Authors: Alsufyani Taghreed , Weiss Anne , Wichard Thomas
Published: January 2017

The marine green macroalga Ulva (Chlorophyta) lives in a mutualistic symbiosis with bacteria that influence growth, development, and morphogenesis. We surveyed changes in Ulva’s chemosphere, which was defined as a space where organisms interact with each other via compounds, such as infochemicals, nutrients, morphogens, and defense compounds. Thereby, Ulva mutabilis cooperates with bacteria, in particular, Roseovarius sp. strain MS2 and Maribacter sp. strain MS6 (formerly identified as Roseobacter sp. strain MS2 and Cytophaga sp. strain MS6). Without this accompanying microbial flora, U. mutabilis forms only callus-like colonies. However, upon addition of the two bacteria species, in effect forming a tripartite community, morphogenesis can be completely restored. Under this strictly standardized condition, bioactive and eco-physiologically-relevant marine natural products can be discovered. Solid phase extracted waterborne metabolites were analyzed using a metabolomics platform, facilitating gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, combined with the necessary acquisition of biological metadata. Multivariate statistics of the GC-MS and LC-MS data revealed strong differences between Ulva’s growth phases, as well as between the axenic Ulva cultures and the tripartite community. Waterborne biomarkers, including glycerol, were identified as potential indicators for algal carbon source and bacterial-algal interactions. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that U. mutabilis releases glycerol that can be utilized for growth by Roseovarius sp. MS2.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Pathogens in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Pathogens would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Pharmacy in 2016
Authors:   Pharmacy Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of pharmacy would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Polymers in 2016
Authors:   Polymers Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Polymers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Distributed Sensor Nodes Charged by Mobile Charger with Directional Antenna and by Energy Trading for Balancing
Authors: Moraes Celso , Myung Sunghee , Lee Sangkeum , Har Dongsoo
Published: January 2017

Provision of energy to wireless sensor networks is crucial for their sustainable operation. Sensor nodes are typically equipped with batteries as their operating energy sources. However, when the sensor nodes are sited in almost inaccessible locations, replacing their batteries incurs high maintenance cost. Under such conditions, wireless charging of sensor nodes by a mobile charger with an antenna can be an efficient solution. When charging distributed sensor nodes, a directional antenna, rather than an omnidirectional antenna, is more energy-efficient because of smaller proportion of off-target radiation. In addition, for densely distributed sensor nodes, it can be more effective for some undercharged sensor nodes to harvest energy from neighboring overcharged sensor nodes than from the remote mobile charger, because this reduces the pathloss of charging signal due to smaller distances. In this paper, we propose a hybrid charging scheme that combines charging by a mobile charger with a directional antenna, and energy trading, e.g., transferring and harvesting, between neighboring sensor nodes. The proposed scheme is compared with other charging scheme. Simulations demonstrate that the hybrid charging scheme with a directional antenna achieves a significant reduction in the total charging time required for all sensor nodes to reach a target energy level.
An Approach to Biometric Verification Based on Human Body Communication in Wearable Devices
Authors: Li Jingzhen , Liu Yuhang , Nie Zedong , Qin Wenjian , Pang Zengyao , Wang Lei
Published: January 2017

In this paper, an approach to biometric verification based on human body communication (HBC) is presented for wearable devices. For this purpose, the transmission gain S21 of volunteer’s forearm is measured by vector network analyzer (VNA). Specifically, in order to determine the chosen frequency for biometric verification, 1800 groups of data are acquired from 10 volunteers in the frequency range 0.3 MHz to 1500 MHz, and each group includes 1601 sample data. In addition, to achieve the rapid verification, 30 groups of data for each volunteer are acquired at the chosen frequency, and each group contains only 21 sample data. Furthermore, a threshold-adaptive template matching (TATM) algorithm based on weighted Euclidean distance is proposed for rapid verification in this work. The results indicate that the chosen frequency for biometric verification is from 650 MHz to 750 MHz. The false acceptance rate (FAR) and false rejection rate (FRR) based on TATM are approximately 5.79% and 6.74%, respectively. In contrast, the FAR and FRR were 4.17% and 37.5%, 3.37% and 33.33%, and 3.80% and 34.17% using K-nearest neighbor (KNN) classification, support vector machines (SVM), and naive Bayesian method (NBM) classification, respectively. In addition, the running time of TATM is 0.019 s, whereas the running times of KNN, SVM and NBM are 0.310 s, 0.0385 s, and 0.168 s, respectively. Therefore, TATM is suggested to be appropriate for rapid verification use in wearable devices.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Societies in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Societies would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Vaccines in 2016
Authors:   Vaccines Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Vaccines would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Veterinary Sciences in 2016
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: January 2017

The editors of Veterinary Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on the Occurrence of PAHs Compounds in the Aquatic Ecosystem of the Southern Part of West Spitsbergen (Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard)
Authors: Kozak Katarzyna , Ruman Marek , Kosek Klaudia , Karasiński Grzegorz , Stachnik Łukasz , Polkowska Żaneta
Published: January 2017

The paper presents changes in concentration levels of dioxin-like compounds that can be observed over the course of four study seasons in water samples collected from the Arctic watershed of Svalbard. The conducted analysis involved anthropogenic and natural factors that may affect the concentration of PAHs in the study samples of water. An attempt is made to indicate the emission source of the compounds being deposited and to identify the extent to which the substances under analysis actually affect the Arctic ecosystems. Moreover, the work employs the following: diagnostic ratios PAHs, air masses backward trajectory analysis, Lidar observations and land relief analysis in order to provide a multi-level interpretation of the obtained data. Natural environment constitutes a complex system of subtle correlations that need to be perceived as a dynamic medium, in which multi-faceted processes take place.
THE GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTION BETWEEN PLANETS ON INCLINED ORBITS AND PROTOPLANETARY DISKS AS THE ORIGIN OF PRIMORDIAL SPIN–ORBIT MISALIGNMENTS
Authors: Matsakos Titos , Königl Arieh
Published: January 2017

Many of the observed spin–orbit alignment properties of exoplanets can be explained in the context of the primordial disk misalignment model, in which an initially aligned protoplanetary disk is torqued by a distant stellar companion on a misaligned orbit, resulting in a precessional motion that can lead to large-amplitude oscillations of the spin–orbit angle. We consider a variant of this model in which the companion is a giant planet with an orbital radius of a few astronomical units. Guided by the results of published numerical simulations, we model the dynamical evolution of this system by dividing the disk into inner and outer parts—separated at the location of the planet—that behave as distinct, rigid disks. We show that the planet misaligns the inner disk even as the orientation of the outer disk remains unchanged. In addition to the oscillations induced by the precessional motion, whose amplitude is larger the smaller the initial inner-disk-to-planet mass ratio, the spin–orbit angle also exhibits a secular growth in this case—driven by ongoing mass depletion from the disk—that becomes significant when the inner disk’s angular momentum drops below that of the planet. Altogether, these two effects can produce significant misalignment angles for the inner disk, including retrograde configurations. We discuss these results within the framework of the Stranded Hot Jupiter scenario and consider their implications, including the interpretation of the alignment properties of debris disks.
Cooperative Entrepreneurship in the Middle East
Authors: Zgheib Philippe W.
Published: January 2017

Socio-cultural characteristics as defined by Hofstede lay out the basis for understanding entrepreneurial characteristics within a given society. Masculinity, collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance are related to competitive behavior, then cooperative versus competitive dilemmas are analyzed in the cultural setting of Middle Eastern entrepreneurial activity. The purpose is to prove that a relationship exists between culture, and entrepreneurial attitudes. Among Middle Eastern countries, Lebanon is found to go against generally acceptable relationships between cooperation and entrepreneurial autonomy. Furthermore, risk avoidance in Lebanon presents a major discrepancy factor with entrepreneurial culture in general.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Lebanese Healthcare
Authors: Chaanine Johnny Chalita
Published: January 2017

In a world that is swiftly evolving, working life conditions are continuously changing too; this chapter will deal with changing environment and its impact on our lives; it will cover the historical background of healthcare in Lebanon, the entrepreneurial factors affecting the Lebanese hospitals stressing on the working life needs especially the skills needed to learn new things which will provide a better ability to adapt to changing working environments. This chapter also stresses on the role of core competences among entrepreneurs in special fields of social and health care. The healthcare industry has experienced a worldwide growth and proliferation of innovation aimed at improving our lives, its quality and providing better treatment in addition to creating a good working environment enhancing employee performance and self-satisfaction.
The Lebanese Way
Authors: Hess John Stephen
Published: January 2017

Within this diverse and often unstable environment, the social phenomenon of entrepreneurship has emerged. Although this concept is found in many segments of society and individuals, it is often linked to the small business venture, and this environment is where our research will take place. Defining the term presents some challenges because it is more of an activity encompassing a wide range of character traits and skills than just a static concept. Additionally, the Lebanese context may share in the collective nature of a definition, but will also offer unique displays of entrepreneurship that may differ from other societies.