bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
¿Qué diferencia a los docentes fineses de los españoles? Un paso hacia la realidad: desde la formación hasta la práctica docente
Authors: Ruiz Lázaro Judit , Arroyo Resino Delia
Published: January 2017

La elaboración de investigaciones y evaluaciones actuales enfocadas en la práctica docente en las aulas tiene como principal objetivo avanzar y mejorar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Por este motivo y dada la importancia de dar respuesta a las necesidades de los alumnos en el siglo XXI, se presenta este estudio comparado sobre la formación teórica y la práctica docente en España y en Finlandia en el que se recogen las estrategias que los docentes fineses y españoles utilizan en el aula con sus alumnos.

Para la consecución de dicho objetivo se elaboró un cuestionario formado por 5 dimensiones: estrategias metodológicas, estrategias de planificación, estrategias educativas, estrategias tecnológicas y estrategias de evaluación, respectivamente; compuesto por un total de 39 ítems, contestados por 60 profesores de Educación Primaria (20 de Madrid, 20 de Ciudad Real y 20 de Finlandia).

Tras los análisis estadísticos realizados se puede verificar que existen diferencias significativas en la formación inicial de los profesores en España y Finlandia y como consecuencia en la enseñanza práctica que llevan a cabo en las aulas con sus alumnos, siendo los profesores fineses los que obtienen mayores puntuaciones en el uso de estrategias de carácter práctico en la clase.
La cimentación social del concepto mujer en la red social Facebook
Authors: Arias Rodríguez Alicia
Published: January 2017

Este artículo es fruto de una investigación centrada en el análisis de los cibermedios desde la perspectiva de género. Se analiza la red social Facebook a través de dos temas que poseen una gran influencia en la cimentación social del concepto mujer: la gordofobia (“La gordofobia: esclavas de la belleza”) y la ruptura del concepto de mujer tradicional (“Ya no quiero ser princesa”). En un principio se examinan los antecedentes que originaron el desarrollo del movimiento cyborg, para posteriormente, estudiar el contexto en el que tuvieron lugar e indagar sobre lo que representaron en su época desde el punto de vista de la igualdad de género, y, por último, se creará una propuesta socioeducativa desde las redes sociales con el propósito de poner en cuestión los estereotipos de género en torno a la belleza y el modelo tradicional femenino.

 
Meta-análisis sobre el efecto del software educativo en alumnos con necesidades educativas especiales
Authors: Orozco Cazco Gustavo Homero , Tejedor Tejedor Francisco Javier , Calvo Álvarez María Isabel
Published: January 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el efecto que produce el uso del Software Educativo en alumnos de 6 a 12 años con Necesidades Educativas Especiales (NEE). Como metodología se utilizó el Meta-análisis, que permitió integrar cuantitativamente los resultados de las investigaciones primarias del problema planteado de forma objetiva y sistemática, para lo cual se seleccionaron 10 estudios mediante criterios de inclusión y exclusión, los mismos que produjeron un total de 14 tamaños de efecto independientes. Se obtuvo como resultados una media del tamaño de efecto d+=1.22, y una estimación puntual del tamaño de efecto d.=.21, siendo un valor significativo bajo de la incidencia del Software Educativo en apoyo a las NEE. En conclusión, es importante resaltar la necesidad de continuar investigando sobre Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación enfocadas a solventar las dificultades del aprendizaje que se producen en las aulas para garantizar una verdadera escuela inclusiva.
Análisis de los estereotipos de género en alumnado de formación profesional: diferencias según sexo, edad y grado
Authors: Mosteiro García Mª Josefa , Castro Ana María Porto
Published: January 2017

Los estereotipos de género, creencias culturales acerca de los rasgos que poseen hombres y mujeres influyen en la forma de actuar de las personas y sus relaciones con los demás. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer la presencia de estereotipos de género en alumnado de Formación Profesional y comprobar si existen diferencias en función del sexo, la edad y el grado que cursan. Para dar respuesta a estos objetivos se realizó un estudio descriptivo, utilizando una escala para recoger la opinión de una muestra de 452 estudiantes que cursan primer año de ciclos formativos de Grado Medio y Superior de la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia. Los resultados obtenidos, tras la aplicación de la prueba t y el análisis de varianza, muestran un rechazo de las y los jóvenes hacia los estereotipos de género, encontrando diferencias por sexo y ciclo formativo. De estos resultados se deduce que, a pesar de los cambios que se han producido en los últimos años, es necesario seguir sensibilizando al alumnado en materia de igualdad para poder lograr una sociedad más justa e igualitaria.
On Structural Parameterizations of Hitting Set: Hitting Paths in Graphs Using 2-SAT
Authors: Jansen Bart
Published: January 2017

${\rm H{\small ITTING}~S{\small ET}}$ is a classic problem in combinatorial optimization. Its input consists of a set system $\mathcal F$ over a finite universe $U$ and an integer $t$; the question is whether there is a set of $t$ elements that intersects every set in $\mathcal F$. The ${\rm H{\small ITTING}~S{\small ET}}$ problem parameterized by the size of the solution is a well-known W[2]-complete problem in parameterized complexity theory. In this paper we investigate the complexity of ${\rm H{\small ITTING}~S{\small ET}}$ under various structural parameterizations of the input. Our starting point is the folklore result that ${\rm H{\small ITTING}~S{\small ET}}$ is polynomial-time solvable if there is a tree $T$ on vertex set $U$ such that the sets in $\mathcal F$ induce connected subtrees of $T$. We consider the case that there is a treelike graph with vertex set $U$ such that the sets in $\mathcal F$ induce connected subgraphs; the parameter of the problem is a measure of how treelike the graph is. Our main positive result is an algorithm that, given a graph $G$ with cyclomatic number $k$, a collection $\mathcal P$ of simple paths in $G$, and an integer $t$, determines in time $2^{5k} (|G| +|\mathcal P|)^{\mathcal O(1)}$ whether there is a vertex set of size $t$ that hits all paths in $\mathcal P$. It is based on a connection to the 2-SAT problem in multiple valued logic. For other parameterizations we derive W[1]-hardness and para-NP-completeness results.
Immanence et existence
Authors: Formisano Roberto
Published: January 2017

Dans L’essence de la manifestation (1963), la phénoménologie de Michel Henry se présente à la manière d’une philosophie première qui demande expressément et exige l’expulsion de la finitude hors du questionnement ontologique. Dans cet article, je vise à montrer que la raison ultime de cette exigence repose sur une opposition que, dans le cadre de la « critique du monisme ontologique », la problématique henryenne établit entre l’existence en soi de l’absolu et sa manifestation opérée par l’ouverture de l’horizon temporellement fini de l’existence humaine. Reprise et développée à partir d’une interprétation critique de la philosophie de la religion de Fichte, la thèse de l’opposition entre l’absolu en soi et sa manifestation finie dans l’existence constitue en effet le préalable décisif qui régit le renversement — toujours revendiqué par Henry — de l’ontologie de Heidegger et de sa conceptualisation de la phénoménologie.
La lettre tue particulièrement dans la Doctrine de la science
Authors: Piché Claude
Published: January 2017

Il est symptomatique que Fichte ait destiné la première version écrite de sa Doctrine de la science (1794-1795) « à ses auditeurs », c’est-à-dire aux étudiants de l’Université d’Iéna où il venait d’entrer en fonction. En effet, Fichte a toujours cru que la lettre de l’exposé proprement scientifique de sa philosophie devait être accompagnée d’une explicitation orale, privilégiant ainsi un contact direct avec l’auditoire en vue d’éviter les malentendus. Tout au long de sa carrière, il s’est en vérité résolument méfié de l’« écrit » et c’est la radicalité de cette attitude qui explique en partie le différend qui s’est fait jour entre lui et Schiller à propos de l’article sur l’« esprit et la lettre en philosophie ». Ces deux termes prennent sous la plume de Fichte une signification inattendue qui témoigne de manière privilégiée de la façon dont il envisage la philosophie transcendantale et son mode de transmission.
Interface charge behaviors of BaTiO3 film heterostructures with various crystal orientations
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ouyang Jun , Cheng Hongbo , Yang Qian , Kang Limin , Zhang Hua , Hu Fangren
Published: January 2017

Heteroepitaxial BaTiO3 ferroelectric films with (001), (110), and (111) orientations were grown on SrRuO3-buffered SrTiO3 substrates by magnetron sputtering. The leakage current and interface charge behaviors were systematically investigated. Without a discernible orientation-dependence behavior, the leakage current behaviors were all well described by a modified Schottky-contact model. On the basis of this theory, the interface charge state parameters, including dynamic dielectric constant, potential barriers, depletion layer width, effective space-charge density and hole concentration, and their evolution behaviors were analyzed in detail. They all exhibited anisotropic characteristics and were proved to be essentially attributed to the macrophysical properties of BaTiO3 film heterostructures.
Modulations of thermal properties of graphene by strain-induced phonon engineering
Authors: Tada Kento , Funatani Takashi , Konabe Satoru , Sasaoka Kenji , Ogawa Matsuto , Souma Satofumi , Yamamoto Takahiro
Published: January 2017

Modulation of the thermal properties of graphene due to strain-induced phononic band engineering was theoretically investigated by first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. The high-energy phonon modes are found to exhibit softening owing to the strain, whereas a low-energy acoustic mode (out-of-plane mode) exhibits hardening. Moreover, the dispersion relation of the out-of-plane mode associated with the strain essentially changes from quadratic (∝ k
2) to linear (∝ k). Accordingly, the temperature dependence of the low-temperature specific heat also changes from linear (∝ T) to quadratic (∝ T
2).
Integrating Sensitizing Labs in an Educational Design Process for Haptic Interaction
Authors: Akner-Koler Cheryl , Ranjbar Parivash
Published: January 2017

New design methods for educating designers are needed to adapt the attributes of haptic interaction to fit the embodied experience of the users. This paper presents educationally framed aesthetic sensitizing labs: 1) a material-lab exploring the tactile and haptic structures of materials, 2) a vibrotactile-lab exploring actuators directly on the body and 3) a combined materials- and vibrotactile-lab embedded in materials. These labs were integrated in a design course that supports a non-linear design process for embodied explorative and experimental activities that feed into an emerging gestalt. A co-design process was developed in collaboration with researchers and users who developed positioning and communications systems for people with deafblindness. Conclusion: the labs helped to discern attributes of haptic interactions which supported designing scenarios and prototypes showing novel ways to understand and shape haptic interaction.
How can neuroscience help understand design and craft activity? The promise of cognitive neuroscience in design studies
Authors: Seitamaa-Hakkarainen Pirita , Huotilainen Minna , Mäkelä Maarit , Groth Camilla , Hakkarainen Kai
Published: January 2017

Designing and making crafts is a complex, multifaceted process that requires sophisticated, professional thinking and competence, described as reflection in action and as an embodied process in which the hand, eye and mind collaborate. This article discusses these cognitive and embodied aspects central to designing and making crafts in light of cognitive neuroscience. Understanding the specific cognitive processes and forms of knowledge used in creative practices is essential. In this article, we propose that cognitive neuroscience provides valuable tools for analysing thinking and acting processes relevant to designing and making. We discuss the challenges and opportunities that the use of brain imaging methods, in particular, provides for understanding design activities, skills and cognition. Additionally, we present two neuroscientific experimental settings from our empirical studies in which the methods of cognitive neuroscience are applied to study and detect the interrelations between drawing, forming, skill learning and the functional activities of the brain and its subareas. We argue that cognitive neuroscience provides valuable instruments and methods which complement traditional design research.
Embodied Making and Design Learning - Special Issue from the Learn X Design-conference DRS/CUMULUS, Chicago 2015
Authors: Gulliksen Marte Sørebø , Hondzel Catharine Dishke , Seitamaa-Hakkarainen Pirita , Härkki Tellervo
Published: January 2017

This issue of FORMakademisk features selected articles developed from papers presented at the symposium Embodied Making and Design Learning at the DRS/CUMULUS-conference LearnXDesign in Chicago, Illinois, June 28–30, 2015. This special issue was developed as an initiative by the symposium conveners. The symposium was developed by researchers from research groups in Norway, Finland and Canada to explore various aspects of embodied making in relation to design learning. The symposium was a full-day event with four sessions, seven paper presentations, a roundtable discussion, a plenary discussion and a workshop. The symposium received positive feedback, attracting many participants and stimulating engaged discussions throughout the conference. This indicates a growing awareness of the topic of embodied making and design learning. This special issue features five articles that together highlight a variety of approaches and examples of current research endeavours in relation to the theme.
Open access to scientific publishing
Authors: Reitan Janne Beate
Published: January 2017

Interest in open access (OA) to scientific publications is steadily increasing, both in Norway and internationally. From the outset, FORMakademisk has been published as a digital journal, and it was one of the first to offer OA in Norway. We have since the beginning used Open Journal Systems (OJS) as publishing software. OJS is part of the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), which was created by Canadian John Willinsky and colleagues at the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia in 1998. The first version of OJS came as an open source software in 2001. The programme is free for everyone to use and is part of a larger collective movement wherein knowledge is shared. When FORMakademisk started in 2008, we received much help from the journal Acta Didactic (n.d.) at the University of Oslo, which had started the year before us. They had also translated the programme to Norwegian. From the start, we were able to publish in both Norwegian and English. Other journals have used FORMakademisk as a model and source of inspiration when starting or when converting from subscription-based print journals to electronic OA, including the Journal of Norwegian Media Researchers [Norsk medietidsskrift]. It is in this way that the movement around PKP works and continues to grow to provide free access to research. As the articles are OA, they are also easily accessible to non-scientists. We also emphasise that the language should be readily available, although it should maintain a high scientific quality. Often there may be two sides of the same coin. We on the editorial team are now looking forward to adopting the newly developed OJS 3 this spring, with many new features and an improved design for users, including authors, peer reviewers, editors and readers.
Criteria for architect selection and satisfaction among first-time private sector clients
Authors: Oluwatayo Adedapo Adewunmi
Published: January 2017

For sustained profitability, architects must position themselves to attract new clients. This involves understanding potential clients’ choices and how these might impact on subsequent satisfaction. The study ranked criteria for architect selection and how these predict satisfaction among first-time private sector clients in Lagos, Nigeria. Data from a questionnaire survey were analysed using descriptive statistics, relative importance index and categorical regression, identifying timely delivery, cost of service and quality of previous services as the most important criteria. Although personal relationship has been said to influence selection of a professional service provider, this criterion was found to be of relatively low importance here. To attract private sector clients, architects should prioritise improved service delivery and construction skill development.
Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy
Authors: Tonelli Mattia , Verdú José R. , Zunino Mario E.
Published: January 2017

Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grasslands. We analyze the impact of grazing intensity (low and moderate) and the use of veterinary medical products (VMPs) on the dung beetle community in the province of Pesaro-Urbino (Italy). Grazing intensity is a key factor in explaining the diversity of dung beetles. In the case of the alpha diversity component, sites with a low level of grazing activity—related in a previous step to the subsequent abandonment of traditional farming—is characterized by a loss of species richness (q = 0) and a reduction in alpha diversity at the levels q = 1 and q = 2. In the case of beta diversity, sites with a different grazing intensity show remarkable differences in terms of the composition of their species assemblages. The use of VMPs is another important factor in explaining changes in dung beetle diversity. In sites with a traditional use of VMPs, a significant loss of species richness and biomass is observed, as is a notable effect on beta diversity. In addition, the absence of indicator species in sites with a historical use of VMPs corroborates the hypothesis that these substances have a ubiquitous effect on dung beetles. However, the interaction between grazing activity and VMPs when it comes to explaining changes in dung beetle diversity is less significant (or is not significant) than the main effects (each factor separately) for alpha diversity, biomass and species composition. This may be explained if we consider that both factors affect the various species differently. In other words, the reduction in dung availability affects several larger species more than it does very small species, although this does not imply that the former are more susceptible to injury caused by the ingestion of dung contaminated with VMPs. Finally, in order to prevent negative consequences for dung beetle diversity, we propose the maintenance of a moderate grazing intensity and the rational use of VMPs. It is our view that organic management can prevent excessive extensification while providing an economic stimulus to the sector. Simultaneously, it can also prevent the abuse of VMPs.
Free Axial Lobes: An Important Diagnostic Character in Pteridium (Dennstaedtiaceae)
Authors: Thomson John A.
Published: January 2017

The overall form of the lamina in the bracken fern (Pteridium) is a fractal series in which blade, pinnae, pinnules and pinnulets represent a hierarchy of repeated units of decreasing size. Distinctive lunate or semi-lunate lobes of laminal tissue between the divisions of the blade in an apical zone of some or all of its axes are an important diagnostic feature. These “free lobes” link Pteridium esculentum (G. Forst.) Cockayne subsp. esculentum from Australasia with P. esculentum subsp. arachnoideum (Kaulf.) J.A. Thomson from Central and South America and separate both from P. aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. The development, pattern of distribution on laminal axes and variation of form of the free lobes in P. esculentum subsp. esculentum are described here. Although basic frond architecture as reflected in pinna spacing on the rachis is largely independent of the size of the lamina, the number and pattern of occurrence of free lobes is significantly correlated with the length of axial intervals and hence with frond size and laminal dissection. Attention is drawn to the likelihood that a genetic polymorphism may underlie development of free lobes in P. esculentum subsp. arachnoideum. The presence or absence of free axial lobes may be a useful marker for detection of introgression following hybridisation of P. esculentum and P. aquilinum.
Oxygen acceleration in magnetotail reconnection
Authors: Liang Haoming , Lapenta Giovanni , Walker Raymond J. , Schriver David , El‐Alaoui Mostafa , Berchem Jean
Published: January 2017

Motivated by the observed high concentration of oxygen ions in the magnetotail during enhanced geomagnetic activity, we investigated the oxygen acceleration in magnetotail reconnection by using 2.5‐D implicit particle‐in‐cell simulations. We found that lobe oxygen ions can enter the downstream outflow region, i.e., the outflow region downstream of the dipolarization fronts (DFs) or the reconnection jet fronts. Without entering the reconnection exhaust, they are accelerated by the Hall electric field. They can populate the downstream outflow region before the DFs arrive there. This acceleration is in addition to acceleration in the exhaust by the Hall and reconnection electric fields. Oxygen ions in the preexisting current sheet are reflected by the propagating DF creating a reflected beam with a hook shape in phase space. This feature can be applied to deduce a history of the DF speed. However, it is difficult to observe for protons because their typical thermal velocity in the plasma sheet is comparable those of the DF and the reflection speed. The oxygen ions from the lobes and the preexisting current sheet form multiple beams in the distribution function in front of the DF. By comparing oxygen concentrations of 50%, 5%, and 0% with the same current sheet thickness, we found that the DF thickness is proportional to the oxygen concentration in the preexisting current sheet. All the simulation results can be used to compare with the observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission.
Dayside magnetospheric ULF wave frequency modulated by a solar wind dynamic pressure negative impulse
Authors: Shen X. C. , Shi Q. Q. , Zong Q.‐G. , Tian A. M. , Nowada M. , Sun W. J. , Zhao H. Y. , Hudson M. K. , Wang H. Z. , Fu S. Y. , Pu Z. Y.
Published: January 2017

Ultralow frequency (ULF) waves play an important role in the transport of the solar wind energy to the magnetosphere. In this paper, we present a ULF wave event in the dayside magnetosphere which shows a sudden decrease in frequency from 3.1 to 2.3 mHz around 0756 UT on 11 January 2010, when a solar wind dynamic pressure drop (from ∼5 to ∼2 nPa) was observed simultaneously. The wave exits globally. The phase differences between electric and magnetic fields indicate that the compressional mode wave is standing before and after the wave frequency decrease. This result suggests that the ULF wave should be associated with a cavity mode and the frequency decrease might be induced by the change of the cavity size. A theoretical calculation was made to estimate the cavity mode frequency. The calculated wave frequency before/after the negative impulse is 3.8/2.6 mHz, which is consistent with the observations.
Characterization of turbulence in the Mars plasma environment with MAVEN observations
Authors: Ruhunusiri Suranga , Halekas J. S. , Espley J. R. , Mazelle C. , Brain D. , Harada Y. , DiBraccio G. A. , Livi R. , Larson D. E. , Mitchell D. L. , Jakosky B. M. , Howes G. G.
Published: January 2017

We characterize turbulence in the Mars plasma environment in a global scale for the first time by computing spectral indices for magnetic field fluctuations (slopes in the magnetic field power spectra) and determining how they vary with frequency and in different regions. In the magnetosheath, unlike in the solar wind, we find an absence of the inertial range which has a spectral index value equal to the Kolmogorov scaling value of −5/3. Instead, as observed in the magnetosheaths of other planets, we find that the spectral indices transition from low negative values close to −0.5 at low frequencies (< proton gyrofrequency) to values much lower than −5/3 at high frequencies (> proton gyrofrequency). This indicates that the pristine solar wind is modified at the Martian bow shock and that the fluctuations are dominated by locally generated fluctuations in the magnetosheath. The absence of spectral indices with the Kolmogorov scaling value indicates that the fluctuations in the magnetosheath do not have sufficient time to interact with one another leading to a fully developed energy cascade. Spectral index values near the Kolmogorov scaling value are observed for the low‐frequency range near the magnetic pileup boundary, and this indicates the presence of fully developed energy cascade. In the wake, we find that the spectral indices have approximately the same values, typically near −2, for both the low‐ and high‐frequency ranges. We observe seasonal variations of the spectral indices, mainly in the upstream region, which indicate the seasonal variations of the proton cyclotron waves.
Tri‐Modal Microstructure Evolution in Near‐β and Two Phase Field Heat Treatments of Conventionally Forged TA15 Ti‐Alloy
Authors: Sun Zhichao , Wu Huili , Wang Min , Cao Jing
Published: January 2017

Conventional forging combined with subsequent near‐β and two‐phase field heat treatments (NTH) is an attractive method to obtain a tri‐modal microstructure in TA15 Ti‐alloy. However formation and evolution of tri‐modal microstructure mainly depend on NTH and distortion energy caused by forging. In this paper, influences of NTH parameters on the volume fraction and size of equiaxed αp and lamellar αs in tri‐modal microstructure are revealed and the appropriate NTH conditions to obtain tri‐modal microstructure with excellent comprehensive mechanical properties are determined.
Durability of alkali and heat‐treated kenaf fiber/unsaturated polyester composite fabricated by resin transfer molding under natural weathering exposure
Authors: Ariawan Dody , Salim Muhamad S. , Mat Taib Razaina , Ahmad Thirmizir Mohammad Z. , Mohammad Ishak Zainal A.
Published: January 2017

Nonwoven kenaf fiber (KF) mat‐reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites were exposed to a natural weathering environment for 12 months. The composites were prepared using vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (RTM). Prior to molding, the KF mat was treated by immersing it in 6% NaOH solution for 3 hrs and by heating it at 140°C for 10 hrs, respectively. The influences of weathering exposure on the composites with respect to the different treatments were investigated using flexural properties, fracture toughness, Fourier transform infrared, thermal stability, color and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Natural weathering reduced the flexural and fracture toughness due to damage to composite structures, the formation of microcracks on the sample surface, discoloration, and chemical content alteration. A relatively better durability in terms of flexural properties was exhibited by alkali‐treated KF composites, although poor durability in fracture toughness was observed due to the improved fiber–matrix adhesion.
Carbon‐Nanotube‐Supported Bio‐Inspired Nickel Catalyst and Its Integration in Hybrid Hydrogen/Air Fuel Cells
Authors: Gentil Solène , Lalaoui Noémie , Dutta Arnab , Nedellec Yannig , Cosnier Serge , Shaw Wendy J. , Artero Vincent , Le Goff Alan
Published: January 2017

A biomimetic nickel bis‐diphosphine complex incorporating the amino acid arginine in the outer coordination sphere was immobilized on modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through electrostatic interactions. The functionalized redox nanomaterial exhibits reversible electrocatalytic activity for the H2/2 H+ interconversion from pH 0 to 9, with catalytic preference for H2 oxidation at all pH values. The high activity of the complex over a wide pH range allows us to integrate this bio‐inspired nanomaterial either in an enzymatic fuel cell together with a multicopper oxidase at the cathode, or in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) using Pt/C at the cathode. The Ni‐based PEMFC reaches 14 mW cm−2, only six‐times‐less as compared to full‐Pt conventional PEMFC. The Pt‐free enzyme‐based fuel cell delivers ≈2 mW cm−2, a new efficiency record for a hydrogen biofuel cell with base metal catalysts.
Mixed‐Objective Robust Dynamic Output Feedback Controller Synthesis for Continuous‐Time Polytopic Lpv Systems
Authors: Jiang Wei , Wang Hongli , Lu Jinghui , Cai Guangbin , Qin Weiwei
Published: January 2017

A robust dynamic output feedback controller synthesis algorithm considering H∞/H2 performance and regional pole placement is addressed for a nonlinear system with parameter uncertainties and external disturbance. First, the formulation of a gain‐scheduled mixed‐objective robust dynamic output feedback controller for continuous‐time polytopic linear parameter varying (LPV) systems is presented. To reduce conservativeness, some auxiliary slack variables and parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions are employed in addition to well‐established performance conditions. Then, sufficient conditions for the desired gain‐scheduled mixed‐objective robust dynamic output feedback controllers are cast into an efficiently tractable finite‐dimensional convex optimization problem in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, numerical simulation shows the validity of the proposed controller, which has good stability, strong robustness, satisfied disturbance attenuation ability, and smooth dynamic properties.
Structural Properties of Networked Control Systems With Bandwidth Limitations and Delays
Authors: Share Pasand Mohammad Mahdi , Montazeri Mohsen
Published: January 2017

The structural properties of networked control systems with both bandwidth limitations and delays are investigated. Sufficient conditions are given for controllability (stabilizability) and reconstructibility (detectability). Our results enhance previous works by capturing bandwidth limitations and delays simultaneously. The adopted modeling framework could be readily used in control and estimation methods, including optimal and predictive schemes. It also facilitates the use of scheduling optimization algorithms in conjunction with the control scheme presented.
A Study of volumetric variations of basal nuclei in the normal human brain by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Elkattan Amal , Mahdy Amal , Eltomey Mohamed , Ismail Radwa
Published: January 2017

Knowledge of the effects of healthy aging on brain structures is necessary to identify abnormal changes due to diseases. Many studies have demonstrated age‐related volume changes in the brain using MRI. 60 healthy individuals who had normal MRI aged from 20 years to 80 years were examined and classified into three groups: Group I: 21 persons; nine males and 12 females aging between 20‐39 years old. Group II: 22 persons; 11 males and 11 females aging between 40‐59 years old. Group III: 17 persons; eight males and nine females aging between 60‐80 years old. Volumetric analysis was done to evaluate the effect of age, gender and hemispheric difference in the caudate and putamen by the slicer 4.3.3.1 software using 3D T1‐weighted images. Data were analyzed by student's unpaired t test, ANOVA and regression analysis. The volumes of the measured and corrected caudate nuclei and putamen significantly decreased with aging in males. There was a statistically insignificant relation between the age and the volume of the measured caudate nuclei and putamen in females but there was a statistically significant relation between the age and the corrected caudate nuclei and putamen. There was no significant difference on the caudate and putamen volumes between males and females. There was no significant difference between the right and left caudate nuclei volumes. There was a leftward asymmetry in the putamen volumes. The results can be considered as a base to track individual changes with time (aging and CNS diseases). Clin. Anat. 30:175–182, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dissecting the Cytochrome P450 1A2‐ and 3A4‐Mediated Metabolism of Aflatoxin B1 in Ligand and Protein Contributions
Authors: Bonomo Silvia , Jørgensen Flemming Steen , Olsen Lars
Published: January 2017

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a chemically intriguing compound because it has several potential sites of metabolism (SOMs), although only some of them are observed experimentally. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and 1A2 are the major isoforms involved in its metabolism. Here, we systematically investigate reactivity and accessibility of all possible SOMs in these two CYPs to elucidate AFB1 metabolism. DFT calculations were used to determine activation energies for each possible reaction. Aliphatic hydroxylation on position 9A and 3α are energetically favored, whereas position 9 is the preferred site for epoxidation. Docking studies, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and free energy (MM/GBSA) calculations were applied to elucidate the accessibility of each SOM. The most stable binding modes in CYP3A4 favor the formation of the 3α‐hydroxylated and 8,9‐exo‐epoxide metabolites. Conversion of the methoxy group is also sterically possible, but not observed experimentally due to its low reactivity. In the CYP1A2 active site, AFB1 cannot orient position 3 towards the catalytic center, whereas the 8,9‐exo‐epoxide and 9A‐hydroxylated metabolites are formed from the most stable and the 8,9‐endo‐epoxide from a less stable binding mode, respectively. The results agree with experimental data and suggest that both reactivity and the shape of the enzyme active site need to be considered to understand the distribution of SOMs and to improve current SOM prediction methods.
Prevalence dependence in model goodness measures with special emphasis on true skill statistics
Authors: Somodi Imelda , Lepesi Nikolett , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán
Published: January 2017

It has long been a concern that performance measures of species distribution models react to attributes of the modeled entity arising from the input data structure rather than to model performance. Thus, the study of Allouche et al. (Journal of Applied Ecology, 43, 1223, 2006) identifying the true skill statistics (TSS) as being independent of prevalence had a great impact. However, empirical experience questioned the validity of the statement. We searched for technical reasons behind these observations. We explored possible sources of prevalence dependence in TSS including sampling constraints and species characteristics, which influence the calculation of TSS. We also examined whether the widespread solution of using the maximum of TSS for comparison among species introduces a prevalence effect. We found that the design of Allouche et al. (Journal of Applied Ecology, 43, 1223, 2006) was flawed, but TSS is indeed independent of prevalence if model predictions are binary and under the strict set of assumptions methodological studies usually apply. However, if we take realistic sources of prevalence dependence, effects appear even in binary calculations. Furthermore, in the widespread approach of using maximum TSS for continuous predictions, the use of the maximum alone induces prevalence dependence for small, but realistic samples. Thus, prevalence differences need to be taken into account when model comparisons are carried out based on discrimination capacity. The sources we identified can serve as a checklist to safely control comparisons, so that true discrimination capacity is compared as opposed to artefacts arising from data structure, species characteristics, or the calculation of the comparison measure (here TSS).
Effect of marker choice and thermal cycling protocol on zooplankton DNA metabarcoding studies
Authors: Clarke Laurence J. , Beard Jason M. , Swadling Kerrie M. , Deagle Bruce E.
Published: January 2017

DNA metabarcoding is a promising approach for rapidly surveying biodiversity and is likely to become an important tool for measuring ecosystem responses to environmental change. Metabarcoding markers need sufficient taxonomic coverage to detect groups of interest, sufficient sequence divergence to resolve species, and will ideally indicate relative abundance of taxa present. We characterized zooplankton assemblages with three different metabarcoding markers (nuclear 18S rDNA, mitochondrial COI, and mitochondrial 16S rDNA) to compare their performance in terms of taxonomic coverage, taxonomic resolution, and correspondence between morphology‐ and DNA‐based identification. COI amplicons sequenced on separate runs showed that operational taxonomic units representing >0.1% of reads per sample were highly reproducible, although slightly more taxa were detected using a lower annealing temperature. Mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S showed similar taxonomic coverage across zooplankton phyla. However, mitochondrial COI resolved up to threefold more taxa to species compared to 18S. All markers revealed similar patterns of beta‐diversity, although different taxa were identified as the greatest contributors to these patterns for 18S. For calanoid copepod families, all markers displayed a positive relationship between biomass and sequence reads, although the relationship was typically strongest for 18S. The use of COI for metabarcoding has been questioned due to lack of conserved primer‐binding sites. However, our results show the taxonomic coverage and resolution provided by degenerate COI primers, combined with a comparatively well‐developed reference sequence database, make them valuable metabarcoding markers for biodiversity assessment.
Increased juvenile predation is not associated with evolved differences in adult brain size in Trinidadian killifish (Rivulus hartii)
Authors: Beston Shannon M. , Broyles Whitnee , Walsh Matthew R.
Published: January 2017

Vertebrates exhibit extensive variation in brain size. The long‐standing assumption is that this variation is driven by ecologically mediated selection. Recent work has shown that an increase in predator‐induced mortality is associated with evolved increases and decreases in brain size. Thus, the manner in which predators induce shifts in brain size remains unclear. Increased predation early in life is a key driver of many adult traits, including life‐history and behavioral traits. Such results foreshadow a connection between age‐specific mortality and selection on adult brain size. Trinidadian killifish, Rivulus hartii, are found in sites with and without guppies, Poecilia reticulata. The densities of Rivulus drop dramatically in sites with guppies because guppies prey upon juvenile Rivulus. Previous work has shown that guppy predation is associated with the evolution of adult life‐history traits in Rivulus. In this study, we compared second‐generation laboratory‐born Rivulus from sites with and without guppies for differences in brain size and associated trade‐offs between brain size and other components of fitness. Despite the large amount of existing research on the importance of early‐life events on the evolution of adult traits, and the role of predation on both behavior and brain size, we did not find an association between the presence of guppies and evolutionary shifts in Rivulus brain size. Such results argue that increased rates of juvenile mortality may not alter selection on adult brain size.
Regioselectivity and fatty acid specificity of crude lipase extracts from Pseudozyma tsukubaensis, Geotrichum candidum, and Candida rugosa
Authors: Laguerre Mickaël , Nlandu Mputu Madeleine , Brïys Benoît , Lopez Michel , Villeneuve Pierre , Dubreucq Eric
Published: January 2017

Microbial lipases are of particular interest for biotechnological applications because of their high specificity and their ability to perform reactions at room temperature. Here are characterized extracellular and cell‐bound crude lipase extracts from the yeasts Pseudozyma tsukubaensis CBS 422.96, Candida rugosa CBS 5213, and Geotrichum candidum NRRL Y‐552. Enzyme preparations were optimally active at neutral pH and ambient temperature, and displayed different substrate specificities. Unlike P. tsukubaensis and C. rugosa extracts, crude lipases from G. candidum were unable to hydrolyze ethyl esters of saturated fatty acids (C8:0–C18:0). The activity of extracts from P. tsukubaensis was maximal for the octyl chain and then decreases as the acyl chain was lengthened, while cell‐bound lipases from C. rugosa hydrolyzed any saturated fatty acid ethyl esters from C8:0 to C18:0. Preparations from C. rugosa and P. tsukubaensis displayed a sn‐1,3‐regioselectivity on triolein, while cell‐bound lipases from G. candidum were non‐regioselective. The extracellular crude lipases from G. candidum exhibited a small preference for the internal position both on triolein and on six edible oils, releasing a high proportion of DAG‐1,3 (∼50%) compared to DAG‐1,2(2,3). To the contrary, extracts from P. tsukubaensis and C. rugosa catalyzed the formation of almost 100% DAG‐1,2(2,3) from oils.

Practical applications: Oils with a high DAG‐1,3 content have attracted considerable attention as healthful foods capable of lowering plasmatic level of TAG. Our results suggest that the crude enzymatic extracts from the wild‐type, non‐genetically modified G. candidum strain might be particularly well adapted for partial hydrolysis of oils to produce such nutraceutical diacylglycerols. In non‐optimized conditions, about 50/50% of DAG‐1,2(2,3)/DAG‐1,3 was already obtained, especially for rapeseed oil.

This lab‐scale study shows the potential and substrate specificities of various microbial crude lipase extracts for hydrolysis of edible oils
Microwave radiation and conventional roasting in conjunction with hulling on the oxidative state and physicochemical properties of rapeseed oil
Authors: Rękas Agnieszka , Wroniak Małgorzata , Ścibisz Iwona
Published: January 2017

The purpose of the present study was to extend knowledge concerning the effect of rapeseeds pre‐processing methods on the changes in oxidative state, alterations within fatty acids contents, and color of oil. Thermal pre‐treatment of non‐hulled and hulled rapeseeds by microwave radiation (2–10 min, 800 W, 2450 MHz) was studied in comparison with conventional roasting (20–100 min, 165°C). As rapeseeds were thermally pre‐treated, with longer time a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the amounts of total carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phenolics in the oils pressed from microwaved and roasted seeds was found. Oils pressed from hulled seeds (HRO) were characterized by significantly lighter yellow hue than non‐hulled (NHRO) ones; however, the microwaving and roasting time significantly affected color change of both types of oils. Although induction period increased with longer seeds microwaving and roasting, oils pressed from thermally pre‐treated seeds exhibited higher level of primary and secondary oxidation. Additionally, prolonged seeds heating resulted in unsaturated fatty acids degradation as detected by GC‐FID. Based on the results obtained by applying principal component analysis (PCA), it can be concluded that within much shorter rapeseed exposition to microwaves similar compositional changes and degree of oxidation of oils was achieved as during conventional roasting.

Practical applications:Color of edible oil is an important commercial parameter, whereas oxidative stability need to be monitored to ensure high quality of the finished product. Thermal pre‐treatment is currently being used in oilseeds pre‐processing, but very little researches studied its effect on color change and oxidative state of oil. Although rapeseed thermal pre‐treatment can cause a number of positive quality changes, such as an increase of bioactive compounds, the results should be interpreted with caution since application of too harsh heating conditions may result in unsaturated fatty acids degradation, lipid oxidation, or undesirable color change.

Thermal pre‐treatment is currently being used in oilseeds pre‐processing, but very little researches studied its effect on color change and oxidative state of oil. Although rapeseed thermal pre‐treatment can cause a number of positive quality changes, such as an increase of bioactive compounds, the results should be interpreted with caution since application of too harsh heating conditions may result in unsaturated fatty acids degradation, lipid oxidation, or undesirable color change.
Performance of the ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep kit on highly degraded samples
Authors: Fattorini Paolo , Previderé Carlo , Carboni Ilaria , Marrubini Giorgio , Sorçaburu‐Cigliero Solange , Grignani Pierangela , Bertoglio Barbara , Vatta Paolo , Ricci Ugo
Published: January 2017

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is the emerging technology in forensic genomics laboratories. It offers higher resolution to address most problems of human identification, greater efficiency and potential ability to interrogate very challenging forensic casework samples. In this study, a trial set of DNA samples was artificially degraded by progressive aqueous hydrolysis, and analyzed together with the corresponding unmodified DNA sample and control sample 2800 M, to test the performance and reliability of the ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep kit using the MiSeq Sequencer (Illumina). The results of replicate tests performed on the unmodified sample (1.0 ng) and on scalar dilutions (1.0, 0.5 and 0.1 ng) of the reference sample 2800 M showed the robustness and the reliability of the NGS approach even from sub‐optimal amounts of high quality DNA. The degraded samples showed a very limited number of reads/sample, from 2.9–10.2 folds lower than the ones reported for the less concentrated 2800 M DNA dilution (0.1 ng). In addition, it was impossible to assign up to 78.2% of the genotypes in the degraded samples as the software identified the corresponding loci as “low coverage” (< 50x). Amplification artifacts such as allelic imbalances, allele drop outs and a single allele drop in were also scored in the degraded samples. However, the ForenSeqTM DNA Sequencing kit, on the Illumina MiSeq, was able to generate data which led to the correct typing of 5.1–44.8% and 10.9–58.7% of 58 of the STRs and 92 SNPs, respectively. In all trial samples, the SNP markers showed higher chances to be typed correctly compared to the STRs. This NGS approach showed very promising results in terms of ability to recover genetic information from heavily degraded DNA samples for which the conventional PCR/CE approach gave no results. The frequency of genetic mistyping was very low, reaching the value of 1.4% for only one of the degraded samples. However, these results suggest that further validation studies and a definition of interpretation criteria for NGS data are needed before implementation of this technique in forensic genetics.