bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seguridad alimentaria. Kukra Hill-Región Autónoma Costa Caribe Sur-Nicaragua. 2016
Authors: Pineda Whitaker Alice Marie , Pedroza Pacheco Manuel E.
Published: January 2017

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo conocer la situación de la Seguridad Alimentaria Nutricional, en las familias del municipio de Kukra Hill-Región Autónoma Costa Caribe Sur (RACCS).  Es una parte de la tesis de grado donde tengo resultados preliminares, utilizando la técnica cualitativa que es: Entrevistas a profundidad, con productores y mujeres amas de casa, del casco semi-urbano y rural. A estos se aplicaron 13 preguntas semi-estructuradas de SAN. Se entrevistaron a algunos actores sociales del municipio, aplicándoles cinco preguntas abiertas. Entre los principales resultados tenemos: Los actores sociales del municipio limitan el concepto de seguridad Alimentaria Nutricional a la Inocuidad y disponibilidad de los alimentos, y la propuesta de intervención para garantizarla va en ese mismo sentido. Las familias están vendiendo sus tierras a trasnacionales y colonos que llegan del pacifico, y los que no lo venden están cultivando los productos que la trasnacional define, para venderles el fruto. Muchos migran después de la venta de sus tierras a otros municipios de la RACCS, y a otros países como Costa Rica, Panamá, Estados Unidos.  La disponibilidad de alimentos se ve afectado por: el tipo de productos que están cultivando y no aporta a la alimentación de las familias, la falta de tierra, el cambio climático y la proliferación de plagas.  Hay Inseguridad alimentaria a nivel del hogar, y a nivel de la comunidad.  Existe apoyo solidario entre la gente en la comunidad, y apoyo del gobierno a algunas familias y algunos productores. Los monocultivos están dominando el uso del suelo en el municipio, y los productos que son garantes de la Seguridad alimentaria como arroz, frijoles y maíz, están siendo importados.
Determinación de Factor Reumatoide en Barrio de Juigalpa, Chontales
Authors: Lazo Guerrero Yuber Ariel , Miranda Mairena Deyling Ana , López Jirón Carlos Eduardo , Aguilar Miranda Marcos Jesús
Published: January 2017

El Factor Reumatoide  (FR) es una prueba inmunológica orientativa a una artritis reumatoide. (Goldsby & Kindt & Osborne & Kudy, 2004). Según Restrepo (2007). La determinacion del Factor Reumatoide por el método de aglutinación puede aparecer  positivo  en enfermedades inmunitarias, entre ellas tenemos: Artritis Reumatoide, Lupus Eritemaso Sistémico, Tuberculosis, Síndrome de Sjogren, Mononucleosis Infecciosa e Infecciones Virales. El estudio es cuantitativo prospectivo de corte transversal, en él  participaron 40 mujeres de 40-60 años de edad. El objetivo del estudio es determinar la presencia  del factor reumatoide (FR) en mujeres de 40-60 años de edad; debido a que la AR puede presentarse a cualquier edad, pero la mayoría de los casos se encuentran entre la tercera edad, afectando  principalmente al sexo Femenino (Restrepo, 2007).Las variables en estudio (edad, ocupación y estado de salud), fueron  obtenidas a través del instrumento la encuesta,  la cual se les aplicó a 40 mujeres. La determinación del FR se lleva a cabo mediante la realización del método de aglutinación por partículas de látex. Las muestras analizadas se encontraron negativas; no obstante, esto no descarta la probabilidad que desarrollen artritis reumatoide; ya que, desempeñan distintas labores que son  factores desencadenantes de la enfermedad, podría obedecer a una combinación de aspectos inmunes, ambientales y genéticos; en donde las articulaciones dañadas son las muñecas, dedos, los codos, hombro, las caderas, rodillas, tobillos, y dedos de los pies.(Restrepo,2007).
Análisis de las Teorías Organizacionales por la metáfora del organismo y la Evolución de Lamarck
Authors: Bejarano Lugo Brenda Yuriria
Published: January 2017

El propósito del presente documento es el análisis de las teorías organizacionales respecto a la evolución de la generación de conocimiento a la gestión organizacional. Dicho análisis comprende desde la década de 1970 a 1990, particularmente teorías que se derivan del enfoque de sistemas abiertos promovido por la Teoría General de Sistemas de Betarlanffy (1986). Por tal motivo el método de análisis es a través de la reflexión metafórica de organismo sugerida por Morgan (1990). De igual manera se considera que la comparación de dicha evolución debe de ser en el mismo sentido (e.i como un organismo), por lo que el punto de referencia es la primera teoría biológica de la evolución transformativa de Jean Baptiste Lamarck. Todo esto con la finalidad de simplificar la comparación evolutiva de las teorías, y en consecuencia proporcionar una nueva forma de entender las similitudes que guardan y la evolución.
Cooperación internacional y desarrollo: Reflexiones críticas
Authors: Osegueda Molina Josseling Lisbeth
Published: January 2017

Primero que todo, es empezar a plantearnos que entendemos por desarrollo, y comprender, que el estar vinculado a temas de cooperación, desarrollo y proyectos, nos da una pauta para hacer algo por este mundo, que si bien no lo hemos concebido de la mejor manera por lo tanto su funcionamiento no es el más beneficioso. Para muchos estas son ideas fuera de la realidad y en ocasiones son consideradas utópicas, pero la existencia de estos grupos son realmente necesarios, ya que no podemos dejar que la organización del mundo se encuentre solo en manos de aquellos pocos. (Ojeda, 2016)
Dimensiones de la territorialidad, ejes para un programa de educación ambiental en la ruralidad
Authors: Caldera Reyes Enriqueta Del Carmen , Dávila Castillo Karla Patricia , Laguna Gámez Julio Cesar
Published: January 2017

La temática de este ensayo se centra en reafirmar la educación como una de las claves del desarrollo estratégico de todo territorio, de acuerdo a esto se presentan argumentos que con los cuales también se pueda aportar a la teoría del desarrollo rural, entre estos se asumen las experiencias en el territorio que aseguran validez de plantear y ejecutar propuestas educativas en la lógica de conservar el medio ambiente, en el caso de Matagalpa municipio tiene una cantidad de estudios productos de proyectos ejecutados en la ruralidad, especialmente en las unidades territoriales definidas como cuencas, particularmente se trabajará con dos de las cinco que se tienen en Matagalpa, para los cuales en la actualidad como parte de las etapas se organizará cada paso para demostrar la riqueza del trabajo con los comunitarios de Molino Norte y Jucuapa, según el desarrollo del territorio, para esto se determinan instrumentos como encuesta, entrevista y observación, que permitan obtener la información deseada. Importante es resaltar que toda la experiencia acumulada en estudios ya realizados en la temática de educación ambiental sirve de referencia para los nuevos planteamientos con los cuales se traten los desafíos de este siglo XXI.
An Investigation into How Grade 5 Teachers Teach Natural Science Concepts in Three Western Cape Primary Schools
Authors: Set Beata , Hadman Joanne , Ashipala Daniel Opotamutale
Published: January 2017

Purpose: The rationale behind this study was to investigate how three Grade 5 Natural Sciences teachers in threeWestern Cape primary schools teach science concepts so as to enable the researcher to gain a deeper understanding andmore insightful perception of the ways in which the pedagogical practices of South African primary school teachersinfluence conceptual learning in the science classroom.Methodology: The sample comprised three teachers in a specific metropole district in the Western Cape. A qualitativeapproach was employed to ensure the collection of rich data.Results: The findings indicated that teachers tend to ignore learners’ misconceptions in class, that they rely heavily oneveryday empirical examples, that they fail to link these empirical examples to scientific concepts and that they devotelittle talk time to explaining scientific concepts.Recommendations: Based on its findings the study proposed a model of classroom practice that focuses onpromoting effective science learning with the aim of developing and transforming the everyday, familiar knowledgeof learners into new understandings of school-based scientific concepts and processes.Conclusion: The data from the study suggested that there may almost certainly be serious shortcomings in theinstructional practices of teachers and that such shortcomings are not confined to the three schools in the sample but areto be found in township primary schools in general. In addition, these shortcomings may require immediateintervention on the part of senior curriculum specialists as well as teacher training higher education institutions (HEIs).
Edmodo Use to Develop Saudi EFL Students’ Self-Directed Learning
Authors: Khodary Manal Mohamed
Published: January 2017

This study aimed at exploring the effect of Edmodo use on developing Saudi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ Self-Directed Learning (SDL). It employed a quasi-experimental design that included a one group design. The participants (n = 45) were all fifth level students at Languages and Translation Department, Arar Faculty of Education and Arts, Northern Border University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They were pre-tested before the treatment by using the pre Personal Responsibility Orientation to Self-Direction in Learning Scale (PRO-SDLS). They were post-tested after the treatment by using the post PRO-SDLS. The researcher taught the participants during the treatment which based on allowing them to use Edmodo in carrying out a project. The results revealed that a statistically significant difference in the participants’ SDL between the pre PRO-SDLS and the post PRO-SDLS in favor of the post PRO-SDLS. Hence, it can be concluded that Edmodo helped the participants develop their SDL on the post PRO-SDLS. Some recommendations and suggestions for further research were included.
Social Intelligence and Communication Competence: Predictors of Students’ Intercultural Sensitivity
Authors: Bosuwon Takwa
Published: January 2017

This study investigated the level of intercultural sensitivity of foreign international undergraduates and its possible predictors. Sample participants included 269 foreign international undergraduates of both government and private universities in Thailand. The research instrument was the three-page survey constructed questionnaire based on the combination of three self-evaluation scales: Chen and Starosta’s (2000) Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS), McCroskey and McCroskey’s (1988) Self-Perceived Communication Competence Scale (SPCC), and Silvera et al’s (2001) Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS). From the pilot test, the instrument’s internal consistency was .789. Data collected were analyzed by using Descriptive Statistics (SPSS for Windows), Pearson product-moment Correlations, Independent-sample t-test, F-test (ANOVA), and Multiple Regression Analysis. The findings showed that the average level of intercultural sensitivity of the participants was at a high level (X = 4.3) with nationality and intercultural experience as significant factors. It was also found that both self-perceived communication competence and social intelligence were statistically significant predictors of intercultural sensitivity.
Partial Immersion Program for Saudi Bilinguals
Authors: Alsulami Sumayyah Qaed
Published: January 2017

English is taught as a foreign language in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Although the government tries gradually to integrate teaching English in all grades: secondary, intermediate and elementary, learning English is still limited and need more developing. This essay is a brief review about bilingualism in Saudi education. This essay will be divided into three sections. The first section will describe the Saudi bilingual context through three dimensions: language competence, late bilingualism, and individual bilingualism. The following section will define bilingualism with regard to the Saudi context. The last section will discuss the appropriate educational program for Saudi bilinguals and the implications of this educational program incorporating Arabic and English.
Institutional Activism, Auditor’s Choice and Earning Management after the Enron Collapse: Evidence from France
Authors: Azibi Jamel , Azibi Hamza , Tondeur Hubert
Published: January 2017

This paper treats the relation between institutional shareholders, auditor's choice and earning management after the Enron collapse in French context. This context is characterized by the weak of investor protection compared to Common Law countries and the presence of the higher ownership concentration. Three hypotheses are tested around this question. The Empirical results demonstrate that institutional investor has more incentives to control the manager opportunism through the discretionary accruals and influence negatively the appointment of the Big 4 auditors after Enron collapse.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 10, No. 2
Authors: Duran Kevin
Published: January 2017

International Business Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.International Business Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please find the application form and details at http://recruitment.ccsenet.org and e-mail the completed application form to ibr@ccsenet.org.Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 2 Ahmad Mahmoud Ahmad Zamil, King Saud University RCC, JordanAlireza Athari, Eastern Mediterranean University, IranAmran Awang, Head of Entrepreneurship Center, MalaysiaAshford C Chea, Benedict College, USABadar Nadeem Ashraf, East China Jiao Tong University, ChinaBenjamin James Inyang, University of Calabar, NigeriaBrian Sheehan, Thaksin University, AustraliaBruno Marsigalia, University of Casino and Southern Lazio, ItalyCristian Marian Barbu, “ARTIFEX” University, RomaniaFrancesco Ciampi, Florence University, ItalyGiuseppe Granata, University of Cassino and Southen Lazio, ItalyGiuseppe Russo, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, ItalyHanna Trojanowska, Siedlce University, PolandHerald Monis, Milagres College, IndiaHuijian Dong, Pacific University, USAIvo De Loo, Nyenrode Business University, The NetherlandsIwona Gorzeń-Mitka, Czestochowa University of Technology, PolandJanusz Wielki, University of Business in Wroclaw, PolandL. Leo Franklin, Bharathidasn University, IndiaMansour Esmaeil Zaei, Panjab University, IndiaMarcelino José Jorge, Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, BrazilMaryam Ebrahimi, Azad University, IranMichaela Maria Schaffhauser-Linzatti, University of Vienna, AustriaMihaela Simionescu, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, RomanianModar Abdullatif, Middle East University, JordanMohamed Abdel Rahman Salih, Taibah University, Saudi ArabiaMohsen Malekalketab Khiabani, University Technology Malaysia, MalaysiaMongi Arfaoui, University of Monastir, TunisiaPascal Stiefenhofer, University of Brighton, UKProsper Senyo Koto, Dalhousie University, CanadaRadoslav Jankal, University of Zilina, SlovakiaRafiuddin Ahmed, James Cook University, AustraliaSang-Bing Tsai, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, ChinaTu Anh Phan, CanTho University, Viet Nam
El papel de la tipografía en los estudios universitarios de Periodismo en España
Authors: Suárez Carballo Fernando , Martín San Román Juan Ramón
Published: January 2017

El presente artículo busca indagar en la formación tipográfica que reciben los estudiantes universitarios de Periodismo en España a partir de las valoraciones de profesionales y profesores especializados en este ámbito. Mediante una metodología principal de encuesta cuantitativa, la investigación trata de analizar conceptos como la utilidad, el tipo de competencias que contemplan estos estudios o el nivel de preparación que ofrecen, en aras a examinar el estado de la enseñanza de esta materia y determinar si efectivamente se adecua a los requisitos de la profesión periodística.
Mujer en la publicidad televisiva franquista de los años 60: caso Soberano
Authors: Pujante Crespo Patricia
Published: January 2017

El presente artículo da cuenta de una investigación previa que analiza el papel atribuido a la mujer española en la década de 1960 en la publicidad televisiva. Lo que se pretende es demostrar la influencia de la dictadura franquista en los medios de comunicación y en la publicidad, utilizándolos como estrategia propagandística del régimen y convirtiéndolos en un reflejo de la sociedad.
Sobre color
Authors: Entenza Rodríguez Ana
Published: January 2017

Sobre color, editorial, 2015
Ocorrência de Cuiaraneiras em Salinópolis, no Pará, Brasil
Authors: Guerra Gutemberg Armando Diniz , Paiva Rosildo Santos
Published: January 2017

Este ensaio trata de cuiaraneiras (Buchenavia grandis, Ducke), espécie à qual se atribui ter servido para dar nome ao distrito de Cuiarana, em Salinópolis, no Pará. O significado da palavra cuiarana se reporta à semelhança com a planta da cuia ou cuieira (Crescentia cujete L). No caso específico do registro da ocorrência desta espécie em Salinópolis, um indivíduo se torna histórico com um significado simbólico efetivo para os moradores do lugar, habitado originalmente por pescadores e com uma crescente população de veranistas. Partindo dessa motivação, buscou-se identificar a ocorrência dessa espécie no município de Salinópolis, em particular na sede municipal e no distrito de Cuiarana. Para isso foram feitas incursões na área municipal e entrevistas com moradores do local entre os meses de dezembro de 2013 a agosto de 2014, em particular em lugares onde havia espécimes reconhecidos pelo porte exuberante e serviço ambiental que tem prestado. O que se verifica é que a espécie é utilizada como ornamental e para sombrear áreas de entretenimento em logradouros públicos e privados como ruas, praças, residências e hotéis.
Neoinstitucionalismo, regularização fundiária urbana e o Programa Terra Legal
Authors: Outeiro Gabriel Moraes de , Góes David Souza , Nascimento Durbens Martins
Published: January 2017

No Brasil urbano contemporâneo, com o aumento da informalidade urbana, a regularização fundiária se coloca como uma questão fundamental nas cidades. A regularização fundiária é um processo interdisciplinar, com a finalidade de integrar assentamentos irregulares ao contexto legal das cidades, proteger a posse dos ocupantes e ensejar sua participação no debate sobre política urbana. O trabalho analisou o Programa Terra Legal e deregularização fundiária urbana em Concórdia do Pará, sob o arcabouço teórico do neoinstitucionalismo histórico. O objetivo foi avaliar o programa, por meio de indicadores de títulos emitidos e como se deu a participação popular. Para isso, um estudo de caso foi feito, por meio de observação participante, entre os anos de 2013 e 2015, que revelou um avanço, com a criação de uma lei específica para a região amazônica, mas com potencial limitado para criar um path dependence rumo à democratização do acesso ao solo.
Accurate Water Audits Require Accurate Master Meter Calibration and Testing
Authors: Van Arsdel John
Published: January 2017

Know how much water your utility is truly putting into your distribution system each day by testing and calibrating flowmeters to improve water audits and control water loss.
Flexible Cleaning Regimes Promote Membrane Permeability
Authors: Liu Charles
Published: January 2017

Maintain membrane permeability by selecting an efficient cleaning approach based on critical fouling dynamics and source water characteristics, with further reassessment as needed.
Redaktionelt forord
Authors: Passage Passage
Published: January 2017

Under overskriften Et andet Danmark? pejler Passage 76 den aktuelle debat om dansk identitet ved at forskyde interessen: I stedet for at gengive meninger om det danske, stiller nummerets bidrag skarpt på de former for tekster, hvori tidens ideer om Danmark og det danske præsenteres og udfordres. Både danskheden og debatterne om danskheden forandrer sig i disse år. Kunstens tekster blander sig med virkelighedens ideer og hændelser, og virkelighedens genrer er under forandring, inspireret af former og funktioner, som traditionelt har hørt kunsten til. Samlet set læser nummerets artikler på tværs af genrer og medier (fra romaner og lyrik over tv-serier til politiske og royale taler i traditionelle såvel som nye medier) for at blive klogere på, hvordan forskellige typer af tekster deltager i diskussionen af det danske; hvad deres former betyder for ideernes gennemslagskraft; hvordan de skaber eller udfordrer forestillinger om, hvem vi er, eller mere generelt: Hvordan forestillinger om et andet Danmark bliver til.
Norskov. Et andet Frederikshavn
Authors: Christensen Jørgen Riber , Hansen Kim Toft
Published: January 2017

Kim Toft Hansen and Jørgen Riber Christensen: “Norskov: Another Frederikshavn”In this article we examine the visual portrayal of Frederikshavn in the TV drama Norskov (2015), in which the town is more than just a provincial backdrop for the narrative. Based on production and policy studies, we illustrate the relationship between the real and the fictional town by describing the locative intentions behind the series during the production of the drama as well as the conspicuous intertextual consciousness that, perhaps surprisingly, appears not to be contrary to the creators’ interest in spatial authenticity. In conclusion, we intend to show how a portrait of a town in a fictional work, by way of basic spatial orientation, may be instrumental in the creation of a regenerated, local imagined community in a recently established Danish municipality.
Plaidoyer pour des mesures de réparation pour les victimes de crimes contre l’environnement
Authors: Hall1 Matthew , Dubois Florence
Published: January 2017

Le présent article se penche sur une question de plus en plus importante, soit la réponse des mécanismes de justice formels aux victimes (humaines) des crimes environnementaux. On comprend désormais mieux les impacts des activités polluantes (pratiquées généralement par des personnes morales) sur les individus et les collectivités du monde entier. Ces impacts sont de plus en plus condamnés par les observateurs, issus ou non du milieu scientifique, mais peu d’articles abordent directement la question des victimes de ces dommages environnementaux et aucun n’a tenté de comparer les divers recours du point de vue des victimes ou d’aborder la manière dont de tels recours pourraient être facilités et les formes qu’ils peuvent prendre. La présente étude cherche à remédier à cet état des choses et à remettre en question la tendance actuelle à la critique et au manque de priorité accordé aux voies de recours pénales en réponse aux crimes et aux dommages environnementaux. Elle examinera ainsi les options de réparations disponibles pour les victimes de crimes sous un certain nombre de juridictions et proposera la première évaluation critique et systématique de leur pertinence dans les affaires environnementales.
Genomic insight into pathogenicity of dematiaceous fungusCorynespora cassiicola
Authors: Looi Hong Keat , Toh Yue Fen , Yew Su Mei , Na Shiang Ling , Tan Yung-Chie , Chong Pei-Sin , Khoo Jia-Shiun , Yee Wai-Yan , Ng Kee Peng , Kuan Chee Sian
Published: January 2017

Corynespora cassiicolais a common plant pathogen that causes leaf spot disease in a broad range of crop, and it heavily affect rubber trees in Malaysia (Hsueh, 2011; Nghia et al., 2008). The isolation of UM 591 from a patient’s contact lens indicates the pathogenic potential of this dematiaceous fungus in human. However, the underlying factors that contribute to the opportunistic cross-infection have not been fully studied. We employed genome sequencing and gene homology annotations in attempt to identify these factors in UM 591 using data obtained from publicly available bioinformatics databases. The assembly size of UM 591 genome is 41.8 Mbp, and a total of 13,531 (≥99 bp) genes have been predicted. UM 591 is enriched with genes that encode for glycoside hydrolases, carbohydrate esterases, auxiliary activity enzymes and cell wall degrading enzymes. Virulent genes comprising of CAZymes, peptidases, and hypervirulence-associated cutinases were found to be present in the fungal genome. Comparative analysis result shows that UM 591 possesses higher number of carbohydrate esterases family 10 (CE10) CAZymes compared to other species of fungi in this study, and these enzymes hydrolyses wide range of carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate substrates. Putative melanin, siderophore,ent-kaurene, and lycopene biosynthesis gene clusters are predicted, and these gene clusters denote that UM 591 are capable of protecting itself from the UV and chemical stresses, allowing it to adapt to different environment. Putative sterigmatocystin, HC-toxin, cercosporin, and gliotoxin biosynthesis gene cluster are predicted. This finding have highlighted the necrotrophic and invasive nature of UM 591.
Evolution of gremlin 2 in cetartiodactyl mammals: gene loss coincides with lack of upper jaw incisors in ruminants
Authors: Opazo Juan C. , Zavala Kattina , Krall Paola , Arias Rodrigo A.
Published: January 2017

Understanding the processes that give rise to genomic variability in extant species is an active area of research within evolutionary biology. With the availability of whole genome sequences, it is possible to quantify different forms of variability such as variation in gene copy number, which has been described as an important source of genetic variability and in consequence of phenotypic variability. Most of the research on this topic has been focused on understanding the biological significance of gene duplication, and less attention has been given to the evolutionary role of gene loss. Gremlin 2 is a member of the DAN gene family and plays a significant role in tooth development by blocking the ligand-signaling pathway of BMP2 and BMP4. The goal of this study was to investigate the evolutionary history of gremlin 2 in cetartiodactyl mammals, a group that possesses highly divergent teeth morphology. Results from our analyses indicate that gremlin 2 has experienced a mixture of gene loss, gene duplication, and rate acceleration. Although the last common ancestor of cetartiodactyls possessed a single gene copy, pigs and camels are the only cetartiodactyl groups that have retained gremlin 2. According to the phyletic distribution of this gene and synteny analyses, we propose that gremlin 2 was lost in the common ancestor of ruminants and cetaceans between 56.3 and 63.5 million years ago as a product of a chromosomal rearrangement. Our analyses also indicate that the rate of evolution of gremlin 2 has been accelerated in the two groups that have retained this gene. Additionally, the lack of this gene could explain the high diversity of teeth among cetartiodactyl mammals; specifically, the presence of this gene could act as a biological constraint. Thus, our results support the notions that gene loss is a way to increase phenotypic diversity and that gremlin 2 is a dispensable gene, at least in cetartiodactyl mammals.
Floral vasculature and its variation for carpellary supply inAnthurium(Araceae, Alismatales)
Authors: Poli Letícia P. , Temponi Lívia G. , Coan Alessandra I.
Published: January 2017

Introduction and Aims

Anthuriumis the largest genus of Araceae, with 950 species distributed in the neotropics. Despite the great diversity of the genus, the knowledge of its floral vasculature is based on observations in only two species, viz.A. denudatumandA. lhotzkyanum, with remarkable variation in vascular carpellary supply: carpels are either vascularized by ventral bundles alone or by reduced dorsal bundles in addition to the ventral ones. Our main objective is to test this peculiar variation through a detailed anatomical study of the floral vasculature in taxa belonging to some sections ofAnthuriumdesignated as monophyletic groups in recent phylogenies.

Methods

We compare the floral vasculature of 20 neotropical species belonging to distinct sections ofAnthurium, using both light and confocal laser scanning microscopies.

Results

The number and position of vascular bundles are constant within the tepals and stamens, regardless of the species and sections studied. However, the gynoecium vasculature exhibits variation between species belonging to the same or different sections. Our results reveal two patterns of vasculature: carpels vascularized by synlateral bundles alone (Pattern A) and carpels vascularized by both dorsal and synlateral bundles (Pattern B). Pattern A is shared by the majority of species studied here and corroborates the previous data in the literature. Pattern B occurs in three species:A. affine(Anthuriumsect. PachyneuriumseriesPachyneurium),A. obtusumandA. scandens(Anthuriumsect.Tetraspermium), described here for the first time for the genus.

Conclusions

The variation in the supply to the carpels inAnthuriumis corroborated here. However, our results in addition to those from the available literature suggest the existence of three patterns (A, B and C) of carpellary vasculature. Based on the recent phylogeny ofAnthuriumit is possible to notice that the three patterns of carpellary vasculature occur in representatives of Clade B and deserve to be investigated in a larger number of species. Pattern A could be a plesiomorphy for the genus and the occurrence of dorsal bundles could be a derived character. Our data contributes to the taxonomy and to the understanding of the floral evolution of the largest neotropical genus of Araceae.
Sequence variability ofChrysanthemum stunt viroidin different chrysanthemum cultivars
Authors: Choi Hoseong , Jo Yeonhwa , Yoon Ju-Yeon , Choi Seung-Kook , Cho Won Kyong
Published: January 2017

Viroids are the smallest infectious agents, and their genomes consist of a short single strand of RNA that does not encode any protein.Chrysanthemum stunt viroid(CSVd), a member of the familyPospiviroidae, causes chrysanthemum stunt disease. Here, we report the genomic variations of CSVd to understand the sequence variability of CSVd in different chrysanthemum cultivars. We randomly sampled 36 different chrysanthemum cultivars and examined the infection of CSVd in each cultivar by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Eleven cultivars were infected by CSVd. Cloning followed by Sanger sequencing successfully identified a total of 271 CSVd genomes derived from 12 plants from 11 cultivars. They were further classified into 105 CSVd variants. Each single chrysanthemum plant had a different set of CSVd variants. Moreover, different single plants from the same cultivar had different sets of CSVd variants but identical consensus genome sequences. A phylogenetic tree using 12 consensus genome sequences revealed three groups of CSVd genomes, while six different groups were defined by the phylogenetic analysis using 105 variants. Based on the consensus CSVd genome, by combining all variant sequences, we identified 99 single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) as well as three nucleotide positions showing high mutation rates. Although 99 SNVs were identified, most CSVd genomes in this study were derived from variant 1, which is identical to known CSVd SK1 showing pathogenicity.
Quasiperiodic field‐aligned current dynamics associated with auroral undulations during a substorm recovery
Authors: Bunescu C. , Marghitu O. , Vogt J. , Constantinescu D. , Partamies N.
Published: January 2017

A substorm recovery event in the early morning sector is explored by means of ground and spacecraft data. The ground data are provided by stations of the MIRACLE network, in northern Scandinavia and Svalbard, while spacecraft data are observed by the Cluster satellites, toward the end of the recovery phase. Additional information is provided by the Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) satellite, conjugate to Cluster 3 (C3). A prominent signature in the Cluster data is the low‐frequency oscillations of the perturbation magnetic field, in the Pc5 range, interpreted in terms of a motion of quasi‐stationary mesoscale field‐aligned currents (FACs). Ground magnetic pulsations in the Ps6 range suggest that the Cluster observations are the high‐altitude counterpart of the drifting auroral undulations, whose features thus can be explored closely. While multiscale minimum variance analysis provides information on the planarity, orientation, and scale of the FAC structures, the conjugate data from FAST and from the ground stations can be used to resolve also the azimuthal motion. A noteworthy feature of this event, revealed by the Cluster observations, is the apparent relaxation of the twisted magnetic flux tubes, from a sequence of 2‐D current filaments to an undulated current sheet, on a timescale of about 10 min. This timescale appears to be consistent with the drift mirror instability in the inner magnetosphere, mapping to the equatorward side of the oval, or the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability related to bursty bulk flows farther downtail, mapping to the poleward side of the oval. However, more work is needed and a better event statistics, to confirm these tentative mechanisms as sources of Ω‐like auroral undulations during late substorm recovery.
A new auroral boundary determination algorithm based on observations from TIMED/GUVI and DMSP/SSUSI
Authors: Ding Guang‐Xing , He Fei , Zhang Xiao‐Xin , Chen Bo
Published: January 2017

An automatic auroral boundary determination algorithm is proposed in this study based on the partial auroral oval images from the Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI) aboard the Thermosphere–Ionosphere‐Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite and the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (SSUSI) aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP F16). This algorithm based on the fuzzy local information C‐means clustering segmentation can be used to extract the auroral oval poleward and equatorward boundaries from merged images with filled gaps from both GUVI and SSUSI. Both extracted poleward and equatorward boundary locations are used to fit the global shape of the auroral oval with a off‐center quasi‐elliptical fitting technique. Comparison of the extracted auroral oval boundaries with those identified from the DMSP SSJ observations demonstrates that this new proposed algorithm can reliably be used to construct the global configuration of auroral ovals under different geomagnetic activities at different local times. The statistical errors of magnetic latitudes of the fitted auroral oval boundaries were generally less than 3° at 2 sigma and indicate that the the fitted boundaries agree better with b2e and b5e than b1e and b6 boundaries. This proposed algorithm provides us with a useful tool to extract the global shape and position of the auroral oval from the partial auroral images.
A statistical study of global ionospheric map total electron content changes prior to occurrences of M ≥ 6.0 earthquakes during 2000–2014
Authors: Thomas J. N. , Huard J. , Masci F.
Published: January 2017

There are many reports on the occurrence of anomalous changes in the ionosphere prior to large earthquakes. However, whether or not these changes are reliable precursors that could be useful for earthquake prediction is controversial within the scientific community. To test a possible statistical relationship between ionospheric disturbances and earthquakes, we compare changes in the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere with occurrences of 1279 M ≥ 6.0 earthquakes globally for 2000–2014. We use TEC data from the global ionosphere map (GIM) and an earthquake list declustered for aftershocks. For each earthquake, we look for anomalous changes in GIM‐TEC within 2.5° latitude and 5.0° longitude of the earthquake location (the spatial resolution of GIM‐TEC). Although case studies of individual earthquakes that used short periods of data sometimes yield GIM‐TEC changes that were considered possible earthquake‐related phenomena, our analysis has not found any statistically significant changes prior to earthquakes when considering all 1279 earthquakes together. Thus, we have found no evidence that would suggest that monitoring changes in GIM‐TEC might be useful for predicting earthquakes.
Production mechanisms of leptons, photons, and hadrons and their possible feedback close to lightning leaders
Authors: Köhn Christoph , Diniz Gabriel , Harakeh Muhsin N.
Published: January 2017

It has been discussed that lightning flashes emit high‐energy electrons, positrons, photons, and neutrons with single energies of several tens of MeV. In the first part of this paper we study the absorption of neutron beams in the atmosphere. We initiate neutron beams of initial energies of 350 keV, 10 MeV, and 20 MeV at source altitudes of 4 km and 16 km upward and downward and see that in all these cases neutrons reach ground altitudes and that the cross‐section areas extend to several km2. We estimate that for terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes approximately between 10 and 2000 neutrons per ms and m2 are possibly detectable at ground, at 6 km, or at 500 km altitude. In the second part of the paper we discuss a feedback model involving the generation and motion of electrons, positrons, neutrons, protons, and photons close to the vicinity of lightning leaders. In contrast to other feedback models, we do not consider large‐scale thundercloud fields but enhanced fields of lightning leaders. We launch different photon and electron beams upward at 4 km altitude. We present the spatial and energy distribution of leptons, hadrons, and photons after different times and see that leptons, hadrons, and photons with energies of at least 40 MeV are produced. Because of their high rest mass hadrons are measurable on a longer time scale than leptons and photons. The feedback mechanism together with the field enhancement by lightning leaders yields particle energies even above 40 MeV measurable at satellite altitudes.
High‐Density Microporous Li4Ti5O12 Microbars with Superior Rate Performance for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Tang Linkai , He Yan‐Bing , Wang Chao , Wang Shuan , Wagemaker Marnix , Li Baohua , Yang Quan‐Hong , Kang Feiyu
Published: January 2017

Nanosized Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) materials enabling high rate performance suffer from a large specific surface area and low tap density lowering the cycle life and practical energy density. Microsized LTO materials have high density which generally compromises their rate capability. Aiming at combining the favorable nano and micro size properties, a facile method to synthesize LTO microbars with micropores created by ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) as a template is presented. The compact LTO microbars are in situ grown by spinel LTO nanocrystals. The as‐prepared LTO microbars have a very small specific surface area (6.11 m2 g−1) combined with a high ionic conductivity (5.53 × 10−12 cm−2 s−1) and large tap densities (1.20 g cm−3), responsible for their exceptionally stable long‐term cyclic performance and superior rate properties. The specific capacity reaches 141.0 and 129.3 mAh g−1 at the current rate of 10 and 30 C, respectively. The capacity retention is as high as 94.0% and 83.3% after 500 and 1000 cycles at 10 C. This work demonstrates that, in situ creating micropores in microsized LTO using NH4HCO3 not only facilitates a high LTO tap density, to enhance the volumetric energy density, but also provides abundant Li‐ion transportation channels enabling high rate performance.
Worldwide variability in growth and its association with health: Incorporating body composition, developmental plasticity, and intergenerational effects
Authors: Wells Jonathan C.K.
Published: January 2017

In their seminal book “Worldwide variation in human growth,” published in 1976, Eveleth and Tanner highlighted substantial variability within and between populations in the magnitude and schedule of human growth. In the four decades since then, research has clarified why growth variability is so closely associated with human health. First, growth patterns are strongly associated with body composition, both in the short‐ and long‐term. Poor growth in early life constrains the acquisition of lean tissue, while compensatory “catch‐up” growth may elevate body fatness. Second, these data are examples of the fundamental link between growth and developmental plasticity. Growth is highly sensitive to ecological stresses and stimuli during early “critical windows,” but loses much of this sensitivity as it undergoes canalization during early childhood. Crucially, the primary source of stimuli during early “critical windows” is not the external environment itself, but rather maternal phenotype, which transduces the impact of ecological conditions. Maternal phenotype, representing many dimensions of “capital,” thus generates a powerful impact on the developmental trajectory of the offspring. There is increasing evidence that low levels of maternal capital impact the offspring's size at birth, schedule of maturation, and body composition and physiological function in adulthood. While evidence has accrued of substantial heritability in adult height, it is clear that the pathway through which it is attained has major implications for metabolic phenotype. Integrating these perspectives is important for understanding how developmental plasticity may on the one hand contribute to adaptation, while on the other shape susceptibility to non‐communicable disease.
Missense variant in UBA2 associated with aplasia cutis congenita, duane anomaly, hip dysplasia and other anomalies: A possible new disorder involving the SUMOylation pathway
Authors: Marble Michael , Guillen Sacoto Maria J. , Chikarmane Rashmi , Gargiulo Dominic , Juusola Jane
Published: January 2017

We report a patient with aplasia cutis congenita, Duane anomaly, hip dysplasia, and other anomalies who had a de novo missense variant in UBA2, which encodes for a protein involved in the SUMOylation pathway. It has previously been suggested that UBA2 haploinsufficiency underlies scalp defects in the 19q13.11 deletion syndrome. We propose that disturbance of the SUMOylation pathway, mediated by pathogenic variants in UBA2, is a novel mechanism for aplasia cutis congenita and other phenotypic abnormalities. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enantioselective Synthesis of (2S,3S)‐epi‐Oxetin and Its Incorporation into Conformationally Constrained Pyrrolidinyl PNA with an Oxetane Backbone
Authors: Seankongsuk Pattarakiat , Vchirawongkwin Viwat , Bates Roderick W. , Padungros Panuwat , Vilaivan Tirayut
Published: January 2017

Fmoc‐protected (2S,3S)‐epi‐oxetin was synthesized from (E)‐4‐(benzyloxy)but‐2‐enal via enantioselective organocatalytic epoxidation, epoxide ring opening with azide, alcohol activation and ring closure, followed by functional‐group manipulation in eight steps with 12 % overall yield and 94 % ee. The amino acid was used as a building block for a new conformationally constrained pyrrolidinyl PNA with an oxetane‐containing backbone. The unexpected sensitivity of the oxetane backbone posed considerable synthetic challenges under standard Fmoc‐solid‐phase peptide synthesis conditions, and a mechanism for acid‐catalyzed degradation was proposed. In addition, the DNA‐ and RNA‐binding properties of the oxetane PNA were investigated. The presence of an oxetane ring decreased the stability of the PNA⋅DNA and PNA⋅RNA duplexes when compared to PNA with a cyclobutane‐containing backbone, which could be explained by the flattening of the oxetane ring, leading to a suboptimal torsional angle.
Causal Models Drive Preference between Drugs that Treat a Focal versus Multiple Symptoms
Authors: Saporta‐Sorozon Kelly , Danziger Shai , Sloman Steven
Published: January 2017

This research examines the effects of causal beliefs on drug preference. In three studies, 374 undergraduate participants imagined that they suffered from a focal symptom and then indicated their preference between a drug claiming to treat only the focal symptom (single treatment) and a drug claiming to treat the focal symptom and a nonfocal symptom (dual treatment) they thought resulted from a common‐cause or from a different cause. Participants who thought that the symptoms resulted from different causes significantly preferred the single treatment drug more and the dual treatment drug less than participants who thought the symptoms resulted from a common‐cause. Process analysis yielded a significant mediation effect. Specifically, an individual's causal model determines preference by affecting the estimates of the potential gain and loss associated with using each drug. Participants who held a common‐cause model concerning the source of the symptoms thought they would be more likely to need the nonfocal treatment provided by the dual treatment drug and less likely to suffer from side effects when taking this drug, than those with a different‐cause model. The results demonstrate the influence of causal structure on judgment and choice. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Behavioral Decision Making Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Physiological capacities decline during induced bioprocesses leading to substrate accumulation
Authors: Reichelt Wieland N. , Brillmann Markus , Thurrold Peter , Keil Peter , Fricke Jens , Herwig Christoph
Published: January 2017

During the cultivation of E. coli for recombinant protein production, substrate accumulation is often observed in induction phase. Uncontrolled substrate accumulation leads to difficulties in transferring or scaling processes and even to failed batches. The phenomenon of metabolite/substrate accumulation occurs as a result of exceeding the physiological capacity to metabolize substrate (qScrit). In contrast to the common understanding of qScrit as ”static“ value, we hypothesize that qScrit essentially has a dynamic nature. Following the state of the art approach of physio logical strain characterization, substrate pulse experiments were used to quantify qScrit in induction phase. The qScrit was found to be temperature and time dependent. Subsequently, qScrit was expressed through a linear equation, to serve as boundary for physiologically controlled experiments. Nevertheless, accumulation was observed within a physiologically controlled verification experiment, although the qScrit boundary was not exceeded. A second set of experiments was conducted, by oscillating the qS set point between discrete plateaus during physiologically controlled experiments. From the results, we deduced a significant interrelation between the metabolic activity and the timely decline of qScrit. This finding highlights the necessity of a comprehensive but laborious physiological characterization for each strain or alternatively, to use physio logical feedback control to facilitate real time monitoring of qScrit, in order to effectively avoid substrate accumulation.
Importance of biofilm formation in surgical infection
Authors: Percival S L
Published: January 2017

Background

Biofilms are ubiquitous, and have been observed in both acute and chronic wounds. Their role in wound healing and infection, however, remains controversial. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the role and relevance of biofilms to surgical wounds.

Methods

A search of PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science databases was performed to identify studies related to biofilms. Specifically, studies were sought in acute and chronic wounds, and the management and treatment of non-healing and infected skin and wounds.

Results

Biofilms may develop in all open wounds. In chronic wounds, biofilms may play a role in prolonging and preventing healing, causing chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of infection. Controversies exist regarding the methods presently employed for biofilm detection and management and few data exist to underpin these decisions.

Conclusion

Biofilms in acute surgical and chronic wounds appear to cause a delay in healing and potentially increase the risk of infection. Biofilms can be prevented and once developed can be controlled using wound desloughing and debridement.