bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-environmental rights and the riddle of history
Authors: Gilbert Bruce
Published: December 2018

Abstract: Broadly speaking, this paper is about the relationship of the human rights tradition to substantive issues of social justice, including class exploitation and environmental destruction.  These themes I take to be of global concern, but I will examine them today as they arise from conflicts and struggles situated in Brazil.   The key to the argument is to show that the human rights tradition recognizes necessary features of self-determination, and that claims for socio-environmental rights in Brazil and elsewhere derive their legitimacy from the same kind of argument that justifies individual rights, such as the 1948 United Nations Declaration, and collective rights, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 2007.  That is, I will try to show that individual, collective and socio-environmental rights are each necessary conditions but, on their own, insufficient conditions for the possibility of self-determination.  The need for such rights emerges in the history of the struggle for justice.  This this paper will also defend the claim that the universality of rights necessarily emerges from the historicity of social life and solves what Marx calls the “riddle of history.”

Keywords : Socio-enviromental rights; riddle of history.

 

 

Resumo: De um modo geral, este artigo trata da relação da tradição dos direitos humanos com questões substantivas de justiça social, incluindo a exploração de classes e a destruição ambiental. Esses temas são de interesse global, mas vou examiná-los hoje, pois eles surgem de conflitos e lutas no Brasil. A chave do argumento é mostrar que a tradição dos direitos humanos reconhece as características necessárias à autodeterminação, e que as reivindicações por direitos socioambientais no Brasil e em outros lugares derivam sua legitimidade do mesmo tipo de argumento que justifica os direitos individuais, como o Declaração das Nações Unidas de 1948, e direitos coletivos, como o Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Econômicos, Sociais e Culturais de 1966 e a Declaração dos Direitos dos Povos Indígenas das Nações Unidas de 2007. Ou seja, tentarei mostrar que os direitos individuais, coletivos e Direitos socioambientais são, cada um, condições necessárias, mas, por si só, condições insuficientes para a possibilidade de autodeterminação. A necessidade de tais direitos surge na história da luta pela justiça. Este artigo também defenderá a afirmação de que a universalidade dos direitos surge necessariamente da historicidade da vida social e resolve o que Marx chama de "enigma da história".
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DAS ESPÉCIES ÁRBOREAS NUMA ESCOLA NO MUNICÍPIO DE CATOLÉ DO ROCHA – PB
Authors: MELO FILHO José Sebastião de , VÉRAS Mário Leno Martins , MELO Urandy Alves de , ALVES Lunara De Sousa , COSTA Fabiana Xavier
Published: December 2018

Quantidades de árvores são importantes na paisagem ambiental, desempenhando várias funções na redução e poluição e amenizar os fatores edafoclimáticos. Por isso é necessário obter uma escola bem arborizada, o que não acontece na maioria das escolas do Brasil. Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar espécies arbóreas no Centro de Ensino Fundamental Luzia Maia em Catolé do Rocha - PB, no intuito de diagnosticar os problemas fitossanitários, vandalismos, bem como a quantidade de espécies arbóreas existentes, para que se possa no segundo momento deste trabalho implantar uma arborização neste setor escolar. O levantamento foi realizado entre fevereiro a abril de 2013, contando-se e classificando-se as plantas in loco, totalizando 37 plantas e 18 espécies diferentes encontra-se em estado péssimo, visto que apresentam problemas fitossanitários gravíssimos, comprometendo a saúde das árvores, foi constatado diversos tipos de vandalismos e várias características que prejudicam o desenvolvimento das espécies e o meio ambiente do planeta terra.
Anthophyllite Asbestos: The Role of Fiber Width in Mesothelioma Induction. Part 3: Studies of American and Japanese Anthophyllite Asbestos – Additional Supportive Evidence
Authors: Ilgren Edward B. , Hoskins John A.
Published: December 2018

The largest anthopyllite deposits in the world are found in Finland and it is from here that most of the commercial anthophyllite derives. However, other large deposits exist in both North America and Japan. Commercial production has existed in both these countries although not on a scale which matches the Finnish mines. Small deposits are known from several other countries but, apart from minor exploitation in India no significant mining has taken place. The North American deposits are primarily in the Eastern US states, mostly Maryland, Georgia and North Carolina although there was also extensive exploration in Alabama. In Japan, the major mining site was at Matsubase on the southermost island of Kyushu. Although these mines and attendant commercial concerns operated for decades and under conditions of high dust exposure no mesothelioma clusters are known from the mining areas.
Energy Efficiency Transitions in China: How Persistent are the Movements to/from the Frontier?
Authors: Zhang Lin , Adom Philip Kofi
Published: December 2018

This study examines the energy efficiency transitions in China using provincial data covering the period 2003-2015. Sustainable progress in energy efficiency achievement is beneficial to energy security and the achievement of the Paris Agreement. This article combines the stochastic frontier method with the panel Markov-switching regression to model energy efficiency transitions. The estimated energy efficiency scores show significant regional and provincial heterogeneity. Also, while human capital development, urbanization, and foreign direct investment promote energy efficiency, price and income per capita reduce it. The transition probabilities indicate that the high energy-efficient state is less sustainable, and the movement towards the frontier seems less persistent than movement from the frontier. Thus, it appears that China is not making sustainable progress in energy efficiency. The unsustainable nature of the high energy-efficient state suggests that in China, there areweak energy efficiency efforts and energy efficiency policies lack robustness.
Firm-level Estimates of Fuel Substitution: An Application toCarbon Pricing
Authors: Hyland Marie , Haller Stefanie
Published: December 2018

We estimate partial and total own and cross price elasticities between electricity, gas and oil, using firm-level data. We find that, based on the partial elasticity measure, electricity is the least-responsive fuel to changes in its own price and in the price of other fuels. The total elasticity measure, which adjusts the partial elasticity for changes in aggregate energy demand induced by individual fuel price changes, reveals that the demand for electricity is much more price responsive than the partial elasticity suggests. Our results illustrate the importance of accounting for the feedback effect between interfactor and interfuel elasticities when considering the effectiveness of environmental taxation. We use the estimated elasticities to simulate the impact of a €15/tCO2 carbon tax on average energy-related CO2 emissions.
Market Power with Tradable Performance-Based CO2 Emission Standards in the Electricity Sector
Authors: Chen Yihsu , Tanaka Makoto , Siddiqui Afzal S.
Published: December 2018

The U.S. Clean Power Plan stipulates a state-specific performance-based CO2 emission standard, delegating states with considerable flexibility for using either a tradable performance-based or a mass-based permit program. This paper analyzes these two standards under imperfect competitive. We limit our attention to (1) short-run analyses and (2) a situation in which all states are subject to the same type of standard. We show that while the cross-subsidy inherent in the performance-based standard might effectively reduce power prices, it could also inflate energy consumption. A dominant firm with a relatively clean endowment under the performance-based standard would be able to manipulate the electricity market as well as to elevate permit prices, which might worsen market outcomes compared to its mass-based counterpart. On the other hand, the “cross-subsidy” could be the dominant force leading to a higher social welfare if the leader has a relatively dirty endowment.
Directions and Perspectives for the Development of Cultural Tourism Mobility in Cross-Border Areas of Sharing Heritage (Example Of Western Pomerania)
Authors: Duda Tomasz
Published: December 2018

Purpose. Presentation of the prospects for the development of cultural tourism spaces and heritage tourism in the cross-border and border areas of Pomerania (both on the Polish and German sides), as well as an indication of the directions of cross-border mobility in the region of shared heritage.

Method. Empirical research based on questionnaires (sample of 320 people selected from the German and Polish parts of Pomerania) and direct interviews with people responsible for shaping tourism spaces and tourism activity in the region.

Findings. The research showed quite significant differences in the perception of cultural tourism as the destination of a cross-border destination within the historic region of Pomerania. Both on the German and Polish sides, respondents pointed to other (non-cultural) factors that are decisive when travelling to the other side of the border. However, there are visible changes in the identification of the region by its own inhabitants, as evidenced by their expectations regarding the development of heritage tourism and the desire to create joint brand products of cultural tourism in the region.

Research and conclusions limitations. Empirical research was conducted on a sample of approximately 300 people from different places in terms of language and nationality (Poland and Germany). Certain restrictions could also have resulted from different understanding of the Pomeranian heritage issues.

Practical implications. The conducted research formed the basis for further analyses of cross-border tourism activity on the interfaces of Poland, Germany and Scandinavia. Practical application in creating products and shaping the cultural tourism space of the region.

Originality. So far, there have been no studies analysing the spatial diversity of cultural tourism in the areas of shared heritage developing in two neighbouring, but completely different countries.

Type of paper. An article presenting the results of empirical research and a case study.
The Importance and Popularity of Tourism Among People with Disabilities in Poland
Authors: Zawadka Jan
Published: December 2018

Purpose. The aim of the study is to show the preferences, behaviours and tourist expectations of disabled people living in cities. Method. The research was carried out at the beginning of 2018 on a sample of 636 people (having a medical certificate of disability) using the questionnaire technique. The interviewers were second-year students of first-degree studies at Warsaw WULS (SGGW), Tourism and Recreation. Findings. The most popular were domestic trips, especially short-term ones. The respondents most often took one or two trips a year, the purpose of which was mainly rest and sightseeing. The determinant of choosing a particular travel offer was primarily the price. The trip was mainly organized by the interested people themselves or their families. The respondents' journeys were carried out mainly in the summer. Coastal and mountain destinations were the most popular. The respondents most often spent time there walking and going to social meetings. Research and conclusions limitations. Due to the method of selection of the respondents and their number, the research group is not representative and the results should not refer to the general disabled in Poland. Practical implications. The results of the research may prove to be helpful for travel agencies in order to better adapt offers for people with disabilities living in cities. Originality. Research on tourist activity of people with disabilities is rarely undertaken in Poland, and its scope is varied, hence, it is difficult to determine the originality of research and its results. Type of paper. The article presents the results of empirical research.
Assessment of the Economic Effects of the Third Sector in the Tourism Area
Authors: Skalska Teresa
Published: December 2018

Purpose. The aim of the paper was to present the scope of functioning of non-profit institutions in the tourism economy, to indicate methods of assessing its impact on the tourist market, analysis regarding the possibility of including the economic effects of this activity in the currently used measurement methods, Tourism Satellite Account being among them.

Method. A deductive approach based on literature was the main method applied; additionally, a review of regulations and methodological recommendations of international organizations, statistical offices and the results of empirical research carried out within third sector units in Poland were used; a special role was played by data from research carried out by the Klon/ Jawor Association on a nationwide, representative sample of 3,800 units.

Findings. Such methods of assessing the economic effects of the third sector as satellite accounts of non-governmental institutions, including the ngo in satellite accounts for particular sectors (e.g.. satellite tourism account) and statistical observations were identified and characterized. A number of difficulties were also pointed out, including the full identification of third sector entities and the scope of their activities, information gaps for those units that are not sufficiently institutionalized and the value of volunteer work. Volunteer work within organizations dealing with sport, tourism, recreation and hobbies accounted for 14% of the total volume of volunteering (i.e. 21,400 full-time jobs with a work value of approx. PLN 728 million). Additionally, in culture and art - the sector important for tourism - it was 12,200 full-time employees with a value of approx. PLN 420 million, respectively.

Research and conclusions limitations. The empirical part of the paper is based on a representative sample of non-governmental organizations. Despite the large sample, however, it cannot be considered as fully representative of the tourism area; the analysis includes all units indicating tourism and recreation that were included in the sample.

Practical implications. The article has no direct practical implications, although the conclusions which were formulated can be used to improve the tools for assessing the economic effects of the third sector in the field of tourism.

Originality. Previous research does not address the problem of estimating the economic effects of the third sector in the field of tourism.

Type of paper. The article presents both theoretical concepts and the results of empirical research.
THE POTENTIAL USE OF PELLETS MADE FROM WOOD BIOMASS: RENEWABLE ENERGY AS SUSTA INABLE DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
Authors: Klepacka Anna Maria
Published: December 2018

The paper’s purpose was the recognition of the use of pellets as a source of renewable energy in sustainable development concept. The scope of work covered pellet production volume and consumption in Poland as compared to the selected EU countries in 2011 and 2017. Moreover, the presentation tracks the changes in the number of pellet producers in Poland taking into account their spatial distribution across voivodships in 2018. To determine the potential of wood pellets as a renewable energy source, on the calculations of Pearson's correlation coefficient, confirmed a significant relationship between the volume of pellet production and forest cover (r = 0.94, p-value 0.002), and another relationship between the share of private forests and rural population (r = 0.59, p-value 0.017). The domestic and the EU wood pellet market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the new targeted share of energy from renewable sources from 20% in 2020 to 32% in 2030. However, further expansion of use of wood pellets in individual EU country-members may be limited by their individual requirements of sustainable development.
The creative function of water in the formation of the world around us
Authors: Shvartsev S. L.
Published: December 2018

The article is focused on the evolution mechanism of the ‘inert’ and living world around us, which is determined by the creative function of water. Water and igneous rocks of basic and ultrabasic compositions create an abiogenic dissipative system that never reaches an equilibrium and therefore is capable of maintaining its continuous, strictly directed, geologically long-term development and the formation of numerous new minerals that are paragenetically associated with specific geochemical types of water. This system is equilibrium-nonequilibrium. It develops in a thermodynamic area, far from an equilibrium. It is non-linear, irreversible, and internally contradictory. In this system, water has the creative function: the hydrolysis mechanism continuously dissolves some minerals, with which the system is not in equilibrium, and, at the same time, creates others minerals, with which there is an equilibrium, including the mineral that have been absent on our planet. After the occurrence of photosynthesis, the system was supplemented with organic compounds and developed into the ‘water-rock-gas-organic matter’ system. The mechanisms of this system were generally described by V.I. Vernadsky, and we suggest to name this system after him. The Vernadsky system had not only repeatedly became more and more complicated, but acquired the capability of creating more complex organic compounds from simple carbohydrates, such as proteins, lipids, more complex carbohydrates, hemoglobin etc. With time, these components developed into living organisms. Regardless of the repeated complication of the system, the basic mechanisms of its evolution remain essentially the same, and water has preserved and enhanced its creative function through dissolving simple compounds and creating more complex ones. An important factor in the continuous complication of the system is the natural water cycle.
ORGANIZAÇÕES EM REDE E TEORIA DA ESTRUTURAÇÃO: O CASO DE UMA REDE COLABORATIVA EM FORMAÇÃO
Authors: Ramos Schirlei Stock , Bobsin Debora
Published: December 2018

Este estudo de caso investigou as motivações para a formação de uma Rede Colaborativa, suas bases estruturantes, e as influências dessa Rede no contexto local, destacando o papel, na sociedade, das redes colaborativas como estratégias sociocriativas capazes de promover a Inovação Social (IS). A partir dessas reflexões, esta pesquisa destaca como a adoção de redes de colaboração influencia a IS?A relevância deste estudo é abrir um espaço de reflexão multidisciplinar, articulando bases teóricas da Teoria da Estruturação (TE) e da IS. Buscou-se trazer para a centralidade do debate o papel dos agentes e dos processos sociocriativos no desenvolvimento local. Como resultado das discussões, emerge o poder de agência. Esse poder identificado na integração social da Rede, apresentou como pressupostos legitimadores construtos relacionados à memória, identidade e representação de elementos culturais intangíveis vinculados tanto a história cultural local quanto aos os objetivos finalísticos da Rede. É necessário ainda esclarecer que para a TE, lente teórica escolhida para as analises, o poder de agência não é experiência individual do ator, nem qualquer forma de totalidade social e sim “práticas sociais ordenadas no tempo e espaço” (GIDDENS,2009).  Sugere-se como estudos futuros a investigação sobre o nível de consciência desses agentes sobre o poder de agência que detêm, e de como essa apropriação teórico-empírica poderia influenciar o comportamento dos agentes para maximizar o desempenho da Rede em promover a IS.
ANÁLISE DA ASSOCIAÇÃO ENTRE O PERFIL DE CLIENTE DE UM RESTAURANTE E SEU NÍVEL DE SATISFAÇÃO
Authors: Moreira Junior Fernando De Jesus , Ansuj Angela Pellegrin , Gouveia Nicásio , Oliveira José Renê de
Published: December 2018

O objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar a associação entre o perfil de cliente de um restaurante em Santa Maria – RS, segundo sua rotina de refeição e seu nível de satisfação com o restaurante, por meio de análise estatística do teste qui-quadrado e a análise de correspondência. Os clientes foram convidados a responder um questionário para avaliar a satisfação com relação a 28 itens, segundo uma escala likert. Foram encontradas associações significativas com 13 variáveis avaliadas na pesquisa. Os resultados mostraram associações que poderão gerar subsídios para a tomada de decisões e melhorias no restaurante. Os resultados mais importantes mostraram que existe uma certa deficiência nos serviços prestados durante o almoço do dia de semana com relação ao banheiro, a agilidade dos atendentes, a iniciativa dos atendentes, a preocupação em atender bem o cliente e a disponibilidade dos garçons no atendimento. Também foram encontradas associações com a insatisfação de clientes do buffet de domingo com relação à limpeza, o cheiro do ambiente interno e o estacionamento.
MÍDIA E CLIMA POLÍTICO: UMA ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DA ATUAÇÃO MIDIÁTICA NOS GOLPES DE 1964 E 2016 NO BRASIL
Authors: Girelli Luciana Silvestre
Published: December 2018

O artigo discute o papel da mídia na configuração do clima político do país, destacando sua atuação na gestão das aparências dos políticos e dos afetos do público. Para demonstrar essa influência, apresenta uma comparação entre dois momentos históricos importantes na vida política brasileira: o golpe militar de 1964, que depôs João Goulart, e o de 2016, marcado pelo impeachment da presidente Dilma Rousseff. Além de demonstrar as semelhanças da atuação da mídia em cada contexto, aponta as especificidades de cada momento, sendo destaque a atuação das mídias sociais para a conformação de um clima de ódio e intolerância em relação à presidente Dilma, seu partido político e movimentos sociais e de direitos humanos.
La industria cultural necesita máquinas. La Alhambra: patrimonio, turismo y producción económica = Cultural Industry Needs Machines. Alhambra: Heritage, Tourism and Economic Production
Authors: Rivero Moreno Luis David
Published: December 2018

En el contexto actual, dominado por la globalización y una economía post-industrial, el patrimonio cultural se sitúa en un importante papel como motor desde el que se activa un turismo de masas. El patrimonio se ha adaptado a la era digital ofreciendo una doble vertiente: la de su visita física, por un lado; y la de la generación de una imagen digital por otro. Ésta actuará a modo de logotipo con el que atraer la atención sobre el producto ofrecido al lejano visitante. Vivimos pues en la época de la reproductibilidad digital del patrimonio, un patrimonio convertido en gran parte en inmaterial a través de su repercusión en las redes sociales. Fábrica de información en tiempo real, toda la actividad surgida en torno a los monumentos señala la enorme capacidad de producción e intercambio económico que poseen. El carácter peculiar, único y original de lo histórico-artístico afirma su rol como producto gourmet del mercado turístico. Esta investigación se centra en el análisis de las características de la industria cultural y su repercusión en el caso concreto de la Alhambra, paradigma del difícil posicionamiento del patrimonio en la búsqueda del equilibrio entre beneficio económico y conservación histórica, artística y paisajística. In the current context of globalization and post-industrial economy, cultural heritage has developed an important role as a propeller of massive tourism. Heritage has adapted its position to the digital age offering two possibilitiest: a physical visit, on the one hand; and, on the other hand, the generation digital images. Therefore the intention will be to create a logo that draws attention to the product offered to the distant visitor. We live in the era of the digital reproduction of heritage, an era where heritage turned largely immaterial through its repercussion in social networks. Monuments, as real-time information factories, shows an enormous capacity of production and economic exchange. The peculiar, unique and original character of the historical-artistic heritage affirms its role as gourmet product on the tourist market. This research focuses on the analysis of the characteristics of cultural industry and its repercussion in the specific case of the Alhambra, a paradigm of the difficult position of the heritage in the search of the balance between economic benefit and historical, artistic and landscape conservation.
Industrial Wireless End-to-End Measurements and Impacts in a Gas-Sensing
Scenario
Authors: Kashef Mohamed , Candell Richard
Published: December 2018

Industrial wireless is a potential networking solution in many scenarios due to
its flexibility and ease of communications in harsh environments. Industrial wireless in
gas-sensing and air-quality monitoring applications is essential when wired
communications cannot perform the task safely and effectively. A major example of such
environments is confined spaces where attaching mobile gas sensors with wires is a major
concern for safety and cannot be deployed in some cases. At the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST), we developed an end-to-end characterization method for
industrial wireless networks. We employed this characterization method to study the
end-to-end error and delay performance for a confined-space gas-sensing scenario. We
have built the scenario using the NIST industrial wireless test bed, which includes
ISA100.11a wireless devices, a channel emulator, and a high-performance programmable
logic controller (PLC), where the physical process is simulated. In this work, we
studied the effects of the size of the confined space, the relaying, input signal rate,
and the impact of the existing workers in the confined space.
A presença fenícia em Lisboa: novos vestígios descobertos no alto da colina do Castelo de São Jorge
Authors: Sousa Elisa , Guerra Sandra
Published: December 2018

Neste trabalho apresentam-se os primeiros contextos bem caracterizados da fase inicial da ocupação da Idade do Ferro na Colina do Castelo de São Jorge, em Lisboa (Portugal). Escavações arqueológicas realizadas nesta área urbana permitiram, pela primeira vez, detectar uma sequência clara da ocupação da fase Orientalizante da cidade, que se inicia durante o século VII e se prolonga até ao século V a.C. Os vestígios estratigráficos, arquitectónicos e o espólio recolhido, que integra sobretudo ânforas, produções cinzentas, de engobe vermelho, vasos de fabrico manual e cerâmica comum e pintada, são analisados com detalhe, revelando o profundo carácter orientalizante das populações que se instalaram, durante a 1ª metade do 1º milénio a.C., na antiga Olisipo.
Caesarvs: el dios venerado en el templo del Collado de las Piedras Labradas (Jarilla, Cáceres).
Authors: Olivares Pedreño Juan Carlos , Río-Miranda Alcón Jaime
Published: December 2018

En el presente artículo estudiamos algunas inscripciones votivas halladas junto a las ruinas del templo romano del Collado de las Piedras Labradas (Jarilla, Cáceres). Hasta el momento, no se conocía el nombre de la deidad venerada en este recinto sagrado pero, a partir del estudio de dos de las inscripciones que de allí proceden, hemos podido concluir que el dios adorado en este templo era Caesarus, una deidad indígena lusitana. A partir de esta identificación hemos investigado el significado del teónimo y de su único posible paralelo: Caesariciaecus, testimoniado en el pueblo de Martiago (Salamanca). Teniendo en cuenta estos datos y el contexto montañoso en el que se situaba el templo, hemos propuesto que Caesarus era un dios de carácter estelar vinculado también al Más Allá.
Más que objetos rituales: un nuevo conjunto de vasos plásticos ibéricos
Authors: Uroz Rodríguez Héctor
Published: December 2018

El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer una serie de vasos plásticos aparecidos en las últimas campañas de excavación del yacimiento de Libisosa (Lezuza, Albacete) en contextos cerrados. Se abordan cuestiones de forma, origen y funcionalidad, así como su lectura iconográfica y relación con una memoria histórica recreada por la oligarquía ibérica. Se añaden al final, como apéndice, un conjunto de askoi, igualmente inéditos, conservados en el Museo Arqueológico de Linares y posiblemente procedentes del mismo yacimiento.
Nueva interpretación sobre la simbología de la bandeja protohistórica de El Gandul (Alcalá de Guadaíra, Sevilla)
Authors: Gómez Peña Álvaro
Published: December 2018

En este artículo se realiza una nueva propuesta acerca del universo simbólico reflejado en la bandeja de bronce de El Gandul (Alcalá de Guadaíra, Sevilla). En primer lugar se presenta la pieza prestando atención a sus características formales y cronológicas. Posteriormente se realiza un resumen historiográfico de las anteriores hipótesis publicadas sobre parte o la totalidad de la simbología de la fuente. Tras dicho repaso se procede a describir la nueva propuesta, basada en el reflejo del mitema que tiene por objeto el empleo de una planta con propiedades en ocasiones rejuvenecedoras, en otras inmortales, como medio para alcanzar una vida eterna y/o revigorizada. Dicho mitema aparece reflejado tanto en la Epopeya de Gilgamesh como en diversos mitos helenos. Desde esta perspectiva se analizan en último lugar los diferentes elementos representados en la bandeja de El Gandul, desde la serpiente que repta hasta el perfil de la pieza.
Primeros resultados sobre la función del utillaje lítico de las primeras comunidades neolíticas asentadas en Les Guixeres de Vilobí (Sant Martí Sarroca, Barcelona)
Authors: Gibaja Bao Juan Francisco , Oms F. Xavier Xavier , Mestres Josep , Mazzucco Niccolò , Palomo Antoni
Published: December 2018

Entendemos que el reconocimiento de la función de los instrumentos líticos puede aproximarnos a las actividades que realizaban las primeras comunidades neolíticas que se asentaron en el noreste de la Península Ibérica. Uno de los contextos donde poder abordar tales cuestiones es el yacimiento al aire libre de Les Guixeres de Vilobí. Perteneciente al neolítico antiguo, es uno de los pocos asentamientos de este periodo con estructuras internas y un número relevante de útiles líticos. En este trabajo presentamos una primera aproximación a la morfología, la tecnología y la funcionalidad de dicho utillaje. Su localización en el área excavada nos permite evaluar si hay una organización del espacio con respecto al lugar dónde se efectuaron ciertas actividades.
Aunque este artículo se centra en Les Guixeres de Vilobí, los resultados serán contextualizados y comparados con otros yacimientos contemporáneos o próximos cronológicamente.
Un fragment d’escultura trobat a la vil·la romana del Rajolar (Gandia, València)
Authors: Arasa Gil Ferran
Published: December 2018

Es dóna a conéixer un fragment d'escultura romana trobada en una vil·la de Gandia València)
Ellipse packing in 2D cell tessellation: A theoretical explanation for Lewis’s law and Aboav-Weaire’s law
Authors: Xu Kai
Published: December 2018

Background: To date, the theoretical bases of Lewis’s law and Aboav-Weaire’s law are still unclear.

Methods: Software R with package Conicfit was used to fit ellipses based on geometric parameters of polygonal cells of red alga Pyropia haitanensis.

Results: The average form deviation of vertexes from the fitted ellipse was 0±3.1 % (8,291 vertices in 1375 cells were examined). Area of the polygonal cell was 0.9±0.1 times of area of the ellipse’s maximal inscribed polygon (EMIP). These results indicated that the polygonal cells can be considered as ellipse’s inscribed polygons (EIPs) and tended to form EMIPs. This phenomenon was named as ellipse packing. Then, an improved relation of Lewis’s law for a n-edged cell was derived

\[cell\ area=0.5nab\sin(\frac{2\pi}{n})(1-\frac{3}{n^2})\]

where, a and b are the semi-major axis and the semi-minor axis of fitted ellipse, respectively. This study also improved the relation of Aboav-Weaire’s law

\[number\ of\ neighboring\ cells=6+\frac{6-n}{n}(\frac{a}{b}+\frac{3}{n^2})\]

Conclusions: Ellipse packing is a short-range order which places restrictions on the direction of cell division and the turning angles of cell edges. The ellipse packing requires allometric growth of cell edges. Lewis’s law describes the effect of deformation from EMIP to EIP on area. Aboav-Weaire’s law mainly reflects the effect of deformation from circle to ellipse on number of neighboring cells, and the deformation from EMIP to EIP has only a minor effect. The results of this study could help to simulate the dynamics of cell topology during growth.
A minimally invasive capture system for the safe and compassionate live-trapping of jaguar and puma
Authors: Palomares Francisco
Published: December 2018

Live trapping of large carnivores can have counter-productive effects on the animal’s health and postrelease behavior. Nonetheless, trapping may be necessary for scientific inquiry, wildlife management and conservation. Capture methods should be efficient, selective, compassionate, and safe for both animals and people. Here, I review the methods used to capture the largest American felids, jaguars and pumas, and propose the use of a minimally invasive capture system (MICS). The device consists of a blowgun remotely controlled by means of cameras and a swiveling 2-way pan-tilt head. The blowgun is monitored by video camera and triggered from a distance of up to 400 m and is capable of shooting darts with high accuracy at distances of about 12 m. This method was developed a decade ago but has not been used despite clear advantages over traditional methods. The use of a MICS can be cheaper, lower in human investment, higher in efficiency and selectivity, and safer and more compassionate than the traditional methods used. The main disadvantages are related to manufacturing, as it must be custom built made by a specialized professional. In addition, any adjustments or repairs must also be handled by a specialist. Nevertheless, these challenges should not discourage the use of MICS, as ethical considerations are of growing importance worldwide when working with wild species. The use of MICS for the live-capture of wild jaguars and pumas (or other medium and large carnivores) deserves further consideration, testing, and discussion.
Plant-derived chimeric antibodies inhibit the invasion of human fibroblasts byToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Lim Sherene Swee Yin , Chua Kek Heng , Nölke Greta , Spiegel Holger , Goh Wai Leong , Chow Sek Chuen , Kee Boon Pin , Fischer Rainer , Schillberg Stefan , Othman Rofina Yasmin
Published: December 2018

The parasiteToxoplasma gondiicauses an opportunistic infection, that is, particularly severe in immunocompromised patients, infants, and neonates. Current antiparasitic drugs are teratogenic and cause hypersensitivity-based toxic side effects especially during prolonged treatment. Furthermore, the recent emergence of drug-resistant toxoplasmosis has reduced the therapeutic impact of such drugs. In an effort to develop recombinant antibodies as a therapeutic alternative, a panel of affinity-matured,T. gondiitachyzoite-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies was selected by phage display and bioinformatic analysis. Further affinity optimization was attempted by introducing point mutations at hotspots within light chain complementarity-determining region 2. This strategy yielded four mutated scFv sequences and a parental scFv that were used to produce five mouse–human chimeric IgGs inNicotiana benthamianaplants, with yields of 33–72 mg/kg of plant tissue. Immunological analysis confirmed the specific binding of these plant-derived antibodies toT. gondiitachyzoites, and in vitro efficacy was demonstrated by their ability to inhibit the invasion of human fibroblasts and impair parasite infectivity. These novel recombinant antibodies could therefore be suitable for the development of plant-derived immunotherapeutic interventions against toxoplasmosis.
Stress among on-duty firefighters: an ambulatory assessment study
Authors: Rodrigues Susana , Paiva Joana S. , Dias Duarte , Cunha João Paulo S.
Published: December 2018

Background

Stress at work has been broadly acknowledged as a worldwide problem and has been the focus of concern for many researchers. Firefighting, in particular, is frequently reported as a highly stressful occupation. In order to investigate firefighters’ occupational health in terms of stress events, perceptions, symptoms, and physiological reactions under real-world conditions, an ambulatory assessment protocol was developed.

Methods

Seventeen firefighters’ cardiac signal was continuously monitored during an average of three shifts within a working week with medical clinically certified equipment (VitalJacket®), which allows for continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) and actigraphy measurement. Psychological data were collected with a software application running on smartphones, collecting potential stressful events, stress symptoms, and stress appraisal.

Results

A total of 450.56 h of medical-quality ECG were collected, and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was performed. Findings suggest that although ‘fire’ situations are more common, ‘accidents’ are more stressful. Additionally, firefighters showed high levels of physiological stress (based on AVNN and LF/HF HRV metrics) when compared to normative healthy population values that may not be diagnosed using merely self-reports.

Discussion

The proposed ambulatory study seems to be useful for the monitoring of stress levels and its potential impact on health of first responders. Additionally, it could also be an important tool for the design and implementation of efficient interventions and informed management resolutions in real time. Potential applications of this research include the development of quantified occupational health (qOHealth) devices for real life monitoring of emergency personnel stress reactions.
Founder effects drive the genetic structure of passively dispersed aquatic invertebrates
Authors: Montero-Pau Javier , Gómez Africa , Serra Manuel
Published: December 2018

Populations of passively dispersed organisms in continental aquatic habitats typically show high levels of neutral genetic differentiation despite their high dispersal capabilities. Several evolutionary factors, including founder events, local adaptation, and life cycle features such as high population growth rates and the presence of propagule banks, have been proposed to be responsible for this paradox. Here, we have modeled the colonization process to assess the impact of migration rate, population growth rate, population size, local adaptation and life-cycle features on the population genetic structure in these organisms. Our simulations show that the strongest effect on population structure are persistent founder effects, resulting from the interaction of a few population founders, high population growth rates, large population sizes and the presence of diapausing egg banks. In contrast, the role of local adaptation, genetic hitchhiking and migration is limited to small populations in these organisms. Our results indicate that local adaptation could have different impact on genetic structure in different groups of zooplankters.
Autenticidade em Experiências de Turismo: proposição de um novo olhar baseado na Teoria da Complexidade de Edgar	Morin
Authors: Matos Mariana Bueno de Andrade , Barbosa Maria de Lourdes de Azevedo
Published: December 2018

Este ensaio tem o objetivo de fornecer uma lente alternativa para interpretação do construto autenticidade no contexto das experiências turísticas. A revisão de literatura realizada apresenta os principais autores que tratam do tema e suas diferentes perspectivas a respeito de autenticidade, dentre estas a autenticidade objetiva, a construtivista e a existencial. A análise e reflexão dessas diferentes perspectivas oferecem as bases para a proposição da adoção de um solo epistemológico alternativo à interpretação da autenticidade nas experiências turísticas, que pode levar a uma melhor compreensão desse fenômeno. Assim, propõe-se que o Pensamento Complexo de Edgar Morin pode oferecer uma forma complementar para o entendimento da autenticidade no contexto do turismo, na medida em que pode permite ao pesquisador uma alternativa frente ao pensamento fragmentado tradicional que está atrelado a essa temática, e possibilitar reflexões a partir de uma visão mais holística do fenômeno. Essa discussão resultou em proposições, que são discutidas ao final deste trabalho.
Circular RNA profiling identifies circADAMTS13 as a miR‐484 sponge which suppresses cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qiu Liman , Huang Yanbing , Li Zhenli , Dong Xiuqing , Chen Geng , Xu Haipo , Zeng Yongyi , Cai Zhixiong , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng
Published: December 2018

Circular RNA (circRNA) can participate in various biological processes, including tumorigenesis, through their microRNA response elements. Alterations in circRNA profiles during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and their clinical significance remain unclear. Here, we present extensive analysis of circRNA profiles in tumor and matched peritumor tissues collected from 10 HCC patients, conducted to identify circRNA related to HCC progression. A total of 42 dysregulated circRNA (38 down‐regulated and 4 up‐regulated) were identified in HCC tumor tissues compared with matched peritumor tissues, revealing the heterogeneity of circRNA profiles in HCC. CircADAMTS13, derived from Exon 13–14 of the ADAMTS13 gene, was significantly downregulated in HCC tumor tissues. Furthermore, clinicopathological analysis revealed that up‐regulation of circADAMTS13 was negatively associated with tumor size but positively associated with prognosis. In addition, overexpression of circADAMTS13 could markedly inhibit HCC cell proliferation in vitro. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assays further revealed that circADAMTS13 directly interacts with microRNA (miR)‐484. Rescue experiments showed that miR‐484 mimics can reverse the tumor‐suppressing roles of circADAMTS13 in HCC. Therefore, our results demonstrated that circADAMTS13 can serve as a tumor suppressor during HCC progression via the functional pathway of sponging miR‐484.
Mass spectrometry‐based analysis of macromolecular complexes ofStaphylococcus aureusuracil‐DNA glycosylase and its inhibitor reveals specific variations due to naturally occurring mutations
Authors: Papp‐Kádár Veronika , Balázs Zoltán , Vékey Károly , Ozohanics Olivér , Vértessy Beáta G.
Published: December 2018

The base excision repair pathway plays an important role in correcting damage induced by either physiological or external effects. This repair pathway removes incorrect bases from theDNA. The uracil base is among the most frequently occurring erroneous bases inDNA, and is cut out from the phosphodiester backbone via the catalytic action of uracil‐DNAglycosylase. Uracil excision repair is an evolutionarily highly conserved pathway and can be specifically inhibited by a protein inhibitor of uracil‐DNAglycosylase. Interestingly, both uracil‐DNAglycosylase (Staphylococcus aureusuracil‐DNAglycosylase;SAUDG) and its inhibitor (S. aureusuracil‐DNAglycosylase inhibitor;SAUGI) are present in the staphylococcal cell. The interaction of these two proteins effectively decreases the efficiency of uracil‐DNAexcision repair. The physiological relevance of this complexation has not yet been addressed in detailed; however, numerous mutations have been identified withinSAUGI. Here, we investigated whether these mutations drastically perturb the interaction withSAUDG. To perform quantitative analysis of the macromolecular interactions, we applied native mass spectrometry and demonstrated that this is a highly efficient and specific method for determination of dissociation constants. Our results indicate that several naturally occurring mutations ofSAUGIdo indeed lead to appreciable changes in the dissociation constants for complex formation. However, all of theseKdvalues remain in the nanomolar range and therefore the association of these two proteins is preserved. We conclude that complexation is most likely preserved even with the naturally occurring mutant uracil‐DNAglycosylase inhibitor proteins.
Evaluation of plan quality and treatment efficiency for single‐isocenter/two‐lesion lung stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Sanford Lana , Molloy Janelle , Kumar Sameera , Randall Marcus , McGarry Ronald , Pokhrel Damodar
Published: December 2018

Purpose/objectives

To evaluate the plan quality and treatment delivery efficiency of single‐isocenter/two‐lesions volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Materials/methods

Eight consecutive patients with two peripherally located early stage nonsmall‐cell‐lung cancer (NSCLC) lung lesions underwent single‐isocenter highly conformal noncoplanar VMAT SBRT treatment in our institution. A single‐isocenter was placed between the two lesions. Doses were 54 or 50 Gy in 3 and 5 fractions respectively. Patients were treated every other day. Plans were calculated in Eclipse with AcurosXB algorithm and normalized to at least 95% of the planning target volume (PTV) receiving 100% of the prescribed dose. For comparison, two‐isocenter plans (isocenter placed centrally in each target) were retrospectively created. Conformity indices (CIs), heterogeneity index (HI), gradient index (GI), gradient distance (GD), and D2cm were calculated. The normal lung V5, V10, V20, mean lung dose (MLD) and other organs at risk (OARs) doses were evaluated. Total number of monitor units (MUs), beam‐on time, and patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) results were recorded.

Results

The mean isocenter to tumor distance was 6.7 ± 2.3 cm. The mean combined PTV was 44.0 ± 23.4 cc. There was no clinically significant difference in CI, HI, GD, GI, D2cm, and V20 including most of the OARs between single‐isocenter and two‐isocenter lung SBRT plans, evaluated per RTOG guidelines. However, for single‐isocenter plans as the distance between the lesions increased, the V5, V10, and MLD increased, marginally. The total number of MUs and beam‐on time was reduced by a factor of 1.5 for a single‐isocenter plan compared to a two‐isocenter plan. The single‐isocenter/two‐lesions VMAT lung SBRT QA plans demonstrated an accurate dose delivery of 98.1 ± 3.2% for clinical gamma passing rate of 3%/3 mm.

Conclusion

The SBRT treatment of two peripherally located lung lesions with a centrally placed single‐isocenter was dosimetrically equivalent to two‐isocenter plans. Faster treatment delivery for single‐isocenter treatment can improve patient compliance and reduce the amount of intrafraction motion errors for well‐suited patients.
US consumer reactions to China's Shuanghui acquisition of Smithfield Foods and its neural basis
Authors: Zhang Yu Yvette , Palma Marco A. , Jin Shaosheng , Yuan Xiaotong
Published: December 2018

The $4.7 billion acquisition of Smithfield Foods by China's Shuanghui International (now WH Group) marks the largest Chinese takeover of a US company in history. Using electroencephalography along with an incentive compatible willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) elicitation mechanism, our study provides neural based evidence that the Shuanghui–Smithfield acquisition lowered consumers' preference for the Smithfield brand, but increased it for the Chinese brand. Consumers' neural preference for American brands increased after learning about the acquisition, implying a positive spillover effect to US brands in the US market. We also find that, after learning that an item is a product of the United States, consumers' neural preference decreased although their willingness‐to‐pay increased, consistent with some empirical reports that many US consumers prefer to purchase cheaper products made abroad rather than products of the United States with higher prices.