bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Em busca da coincidência
Authors: Nascimento Ilderlândio Assis de Andrade
Published: November 2017

Esta pesquisa investiga a responsabilidade enunciativa em monografias de conclusão de curso, focando como categoria de análise os fenômenos da modalização autonímica/as não-coincidências do dizer, a partir dos postulados da Análise Textual dos Discursos (ATD). O corpus é constituído por 10 (dez) monografias de conclusão de curso de Letras. Metodologicamente, esta pesquisa é de natureza descritiva e interpretativa, pois as não-coincidências do dizer são identificadas, descritas e interpretadas, seguindo uma abordagem de cunho quantitativo e qualitativo. A não-coincidência entre as palavras e as coisas e a não-coincidência das palavras consigo mesmas se constituem traços de responsabilidade enunciativa, tendo em vista que o sujeito enunciador busca restabelecer uma coincidência, no primeiro caso, entre a palavra – o simbólico – e o objeto de discurso – a realidade a ser nomeada, e, no segundo caso, entre uma palavra e outra palavra.
Dizer sobre outro e falar de si
Authors: Sousa Maria Ester Vieira de , Costa Julia Cristina de Lima
Published: November 2017

Este artigo objetiva investigar os processos de subjetivação que se estabelecem nos discursos de alunos. Especificamente, analisar em que medida os sujeitos inscrevem em seus discursos marcas de uma reflexão sobre a prática docente observada que possam vir a interferir na sua futura atuação em sala de aula. Utilizaremos como dados de análise diários reflexivos escritos por alunos matriculados na disciplina “Pesquisa Aplicada ao Ensino de Língua Portuguesa” do curso de Letras da modalidade de ensino a distância da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Esses dados, selecionados a partir de um corpus constituído por 110 diários reflexivos, coletados no ambiente Moodle da UFPB Virtual e foram resultados de uma atividade solicitada na disciplina e produzida após pesquisa que esses alunos desenvolveram em salas de aula. Como fundamentação teórica, utilizaremos a produção de Bakhtin/Voloshinov ([1988]1929), Bakhtin ([2000]1935), especificamente, lançando mão das noções de dialogia e de alteridade. Também recorremos a outros autores, como Baumann (2005) e Hall (2008), para discutirmos o conceito de identidade. No que se refere aos resultados, verificamos que o aluno na posição de pesquisador avalia de forma crítica a atuação docente, frequentemente, elencando diferentes problemas nas aulas observadas e, em consequência, apontado para um ensino de língua deficiente.
A passagem do aluno do Ensino Médio ao Superior e seus efeitos no discurso
Authors: Knack Carolina
Published: November 2017

Este trabalho apresenta parte do estudo desenvolvido para a tese de doutorado da autora. Com base na teoria enunciativa de Émile Benveniste e na dimensão antropológica do discurso que dela se pode depreender, o estudo explora o modo como o aluno – pela passagem de uma instância de ensino a outra –, a partir da ocupação de uma nova posição na sociedade, revela uma renovada posição de locutor no discurso. Para tanto, são analisados relatos oriundos de duas interlocuções orais com uma aluna participante da oficina de Língua Portuguesa do Programa de Apoio à Graduação da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. A análise desses fatos revela que, em virtude de a aluna instaurar-se em novas posições nas instâncias de ensino em que está inserida, produzem-se mudanças em suas relações com o outro e com a língua, que comporta a cultura, o que se reflete em novas posições de locutor no discurso, possibilitando-lhe constituir-se na dupla natureza, individual e social, que a linguagem fundamenta no homem.
Looking Back on Six Years of Service as an Officer
Authors: Cesa Mark
Published: November 2017

The Past President has an opportunity to write a column for Chemistry International near the end of his or her term, looking back on six years of service as an Officer of the Union and taking stock of the Union’s accomplishments during that time. It is a particular pleasure for me to do this because all of our volunteers, leaders and staff have accomplished an outstanding number of important achievements that have strengthened and vitalized IUPAC in that time. I would like to take a look at what everyone has accomplished during the last six years—we have come a long way—and what lies ahead.
No Deal: Donald Trump’s Leadership of Congress
Authors: Edwards III George C.
Published: November 2017

Donald Trump entered office with aspirations for transformational policy change, much of which would have to be approved by Congress. So far, he and his supporters have been disappointed. Despite the president’s many unique characteristics, we can employ the framework of the president’s strategic position to explain the president’s lack of success. The president’s opportunity structure was mixed. Lacking a mandate but fortunate to serve in a unified government, Trump overestimated his public support, which was low, and Republican cohesion, which was imperfect. He also underestimated the impact of partisan polarization and Democratic opposition, which was strong. Moreover, the president lacked a strategic plan of his own, had few substantive proposals, and demonstrated little skill in garnering support.
President Trump and Congressional Republicans: Uncertain Teamwork in the 115th Congress
Authors: Pearson Kathryn
Published: November 2017

To what extent have Republicans in Congress unified to work with President Trump, and what are the prospects for unity going forward? These questions are not as straightforward as they may seem given that the President is not deeply engaged in the policymaking process, he often reverses his positions, and he is prone to criticizing his most important partners in governing – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan – eroding trust among members of his own party and diminishing Republicans’ prospects for passing their legislative priorities. In this analysis, I assess President Trump’s relationship with Republicans in the House and Senate; internal unity and divisions among Republicans; Republicans’ lack of success in enacting significant policy priorities prior to the August recess; the limited (but potentially growing) prospects for bipartisan cooperation; and the outlook for the remainder of the 115th Congress.
The Struggle to Govern in the Trump White House: Competing Power Centers, Personalities, and World Visions The First 7 Months
Authors: Warshaw Shirley Anne
Published: November 2017

Modern presidencies are characterized by the coherent White House staff that seamlessly move from the campaign into the White House to implement the new president’s agenda. Campaign staff built the policy agenda during the months-long if not years-long campaign, revised it to meet political demands at every juncture, and entered their White House offices with a clear view of how to achieve the campaign’s goals. In contrast, few members of the Trump White House staff moved from the campaign into the White House which soon became plagued by multiple power centers and limited agreement on the president’s broad agenda. In general, the Trump staff were unknown to each other and held quite different world visions, varying from extreme nationalists to globalists. This research examines the multiple power centers, the power voids, and the tools of power exercised in the White House. By the end of the first 7 months, the decision process had moved from groupthink to multiple advocacy to the coalition presidency.
A Novel Proposal for All-Optical OR/AND Gate Using Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Ring Resonators
Authors: Geraili Mohammad Reza , Hosseini Seyed Ebrahim
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we aim to design an all-optical structure that can be employed as optical OR/AND logic gates. To do so, a nonlinear photonic crystal-based ring resonator will be designed whose resonant wavelength depends on the variation of optical intensity. Then, by adding some optical waveguides, the optical logic circuit structure will be obtained that can function as optical OR/AND logic gates. The maximum time delay for the proposed structure is about 1.5 ps. Total footprint of the proposed structure is about 372 mm2. The proposed structure has lower time delay, lower footprint and lower optical input power compared with previously proposed structures.
Impact of nanoparticles on flow of a special non-Newtonian third-grade fluid over a porous heated shrinking sheet with nonlinear radiation
Authors: Zaib A. , Chamkha A.J. , Rashidi M. M. , Bhattacharyya K.
Published: November 2017

This research peruses the characteristics of heat and mass transfern of a special non-Newtonian third-grade fluid over a porous convectively-heated shrinking sheet filled with nanoparticles. The Buongiorno model is used for the special non-Newtonian third-grade fluid that includes both the Brownian motion and the thermophoresis effects with non-linear radiation. The nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations are obtained using a suitable transformation. The converted system of equations are then numerically solved using shooting method. The numerically-obtained results for the skin friction, local Nusselt number and the local Sherwood number as well as velocity profile, temperature distribution and concentration of nanoparticle are illustrated for different physical parameters through graphs and tables. On the behalf of the whole studies, final conclusions are made and it is observed that multiple solutions are achieved for certain values of the suction parameter. Further, the non-Newtonian parameter reduces the velocity of the fluid and increases the temperature and the concentration profiles for the first solution while the reverse trend is seen for the second solution. Finally, a comparative analysis is made through previous studies in limiting cases and shown good correlation.
La nature de la signification: idéalité et plurivocité
Authors: Bordron Jean-François
Published: November 2017

We seek to understand the notion of meaning as Greimas has developed it in his work. In the first part, we seek the origin of this concept in linguistic and phenomenological sources of his thought. To this end, we confront Husserl’s phenomenological conception of meaning and Saussure’s linguistic conception, as a backdrop to our investigation. Secondly, we consider more specifically the thesis of the ideality of the semiotic fact as Greimas conceived it. We also compare the thesis of the ideality of meaning in Husserl and the thesis of semiotic ideality in Greimas.
"Um artista da fome" como metáfora de si mesmo e do surgimento de uma nova estética
Authors: Kunrath Milena Hoffmann
Published: November 2017

O artigo analisa o conto "O artista da fome", de Franz Kafka, como uma metáfora do próprio autor, bem como do surgimento de uma nova estética sob o aspecto da dialética do fazer artístico, da relação do criador com seu público e, finalmente, do próprio valor da arte. Embora se concentre numa arte duvidosa, a arte do jejum, as considerações de Kafka são, desta perspectiva, válidas para qualquer tipo de obra artística, inclusive literatura, música, dança, etc. São ainda abordados temas como autenticidade, recepção e aura.
Estar entre mundos e ao mesmo tempo não pertencer a nenhum. O caso da literatura em língua alemã produzida no Brasil no século XIX
Authors: Neumann Gerson
Published: November 2017

Com o presente texto objetiva-se refletir sobre uma possível “Breve história da literatura de expressão alemã no Brasil. Uma literatura sem local definido e a procura por uma definição”. Trata-se de uma produção literária em língua alemã, produzida e publicada em língua alemã. Propõe-se a discussão de conceitos como região, o local da cultura, assim como função da literatura. Está em questão uma literatura sem local definido, entre dois contextos, entre a literatura alemã e a brasileira.
Estalos nas vigas - Literatura e desenhos de Alfred Kubin
Authors: Barbosa Maria Aparecida
Published: November 2017

O propósito deste artigo é documentar a pesquisa em andamento sobre a literatura e a arte visual de Alfred Kubin. Procede a um levantamento das afinidades dessa obra, pensando no grupo expressionista Cavaleiro Azul, do qual ele participou nos primórdios, e também no ensaio de Ernst Jünger que o eleva a síntese da geração de artistas do expressionismo. Das afinidades com a vanguarda ressalta-se a linguagem que estende o campo semântico da palavra ao sentido da visão com a recorrência à descrição de imagens da pintura. Aponta igualmente a correspondência com o artista brasileiro Oswaldo Goeldi. Finalmente apresenta a tradução de um trecho do romance de sua autoria, Die andere Seite/O Outro Lado.
Causes and consequences of chromosome segregation error in preimplantation embryos
Authors: Vázquez-Diez Cayetana , FitzHarris Greg
Published: November 2017

Errors in chromosome segregation are common during the mitotic divisions of preimplantation development in mammalian embryos, giving rise to so-called ‘mosaic’ embryos possessing a mixture of euploid and aneuploid cells. Mosaicism is widely considered to be detrimental to embryo quality and is frequently used as criteria to select embryos for transfer in human fertility clinics. However, despite the clear clinical importance, the underlying defects in cell division that result in mosaic aneuploidy remain elusive. In this review, we summarise recent findings from clinical and animal model studies that provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the highly unusual cellular environment of early preimplantation development and consider recent clues as to why errors should commonly occur in this setting. We furthermore discuss recent evidence suggesting that mosaicism is not an irrevocable barrier to a healthy pregnancy. Understanding the causes and biological impacts of mosaic aneuploidy will be pivotal in the development and fine-tuning of clinical embryo selection methods.
Ріст і розвиток рослин кукурудзи залежно від мульчувального обробітку ґрунту та удобрення в степу України
Authors: Tsyliuryk A.I. , Kozechko V.I.
Published: November 2017

We proved the high efficiency of soil mulching cultivating (chisel, planar) and improved fertilizer system (N60P30K30 + post-harvest residues) in the technology of corn growing, which is not inferior to the plowing, provides optimal biometric indices of plants and elements of the structure of crop corn crop. We observed only a slight tendency in reducing the morphological characteristics of the canines (diameter, length, and number of grains) for flat-rope loosening (14-16 cm), especially in non-fertilized areas (control), which is explained by the negative influence of growth of bulk mass and hardness soil, reduction of nitric capacity of chernozem, and deterioration of phytosanitary state of crops. Application of mineral fertilizers (N30-60P30K30) reduces this insignificant difference and contributes to obtaining practically identical indicators. The maximum grain yield of corn on the unfertilized filed and the introduction of the N30P30K30 could be achieved by field plowing and mulching (4.83-5.33 t/ha), when the usage of subsurface plow with the increase of nitrogen (N30-60P30K30) also contribute to high yields (5.62 t/ha). The last could be associated with the normalization of the nitrate mobilization when a plurality of plant residues from the predecessor (5-7 t/ha) are introduced into the soil. The minor differences of the corn yield indicate the equivalence of these basic soil cultivation methods.
Макрозообентос придунайского озера Кагул (Одесская область, Украина)
Authors: Dzhurtubaev Yu.M. , Dzhurtubaev М.М. , Zamorov V.V.
Published: November 2017

The macrozoobenthos of Cahul Lake (one of the largest in Ukrainian Danube basin) has been studied. We collected 256 samples at 12 littoral and sublittoral stations within 2006-2012. Some 95 species and subspecies were found, namely: Spongia - 1 species, Turbellaria - 2, Annelida - 17, Bryozoa - 1, Crustacea - 19, Insecta - 35, Gastropoda - 15 and Bivalvia - 5 species, among them 15 previously unregistered species were found. We discovered that the overall number of species increased downstream. Seasonal dynamics of species composition is poorly expressed. The maximum number of macrozoobenthos on the littoral was recorded in spring, maximal biomass – in summer; Maximum sublittoral abundance and biomass of macrozoobenthos were recorded in the summer.
Ремедіаційний потенціал лісоутворювальних порід у рекультиваційних насадженнях
Authors: Zverkovskyi V.M. , Sytnyk S.A. , Lovynska V.M. , Kharytonov M.M. , Mykolenko S.Yu.
Published: November 2017

The aim of the research was to study the features of the accumulation of heavy metals elements group by assimilation apparatus of coniferous and deciduous woody plants. We registered low bioaccumulative coefficients of Black locust regards chromium, antimony, and tin. We also determined that the Robinia leaves could accumulate Sb and Sn while in small concentrations and the Crimean pine needles could accumulate Sb and As in in the lowest concentration. The Mangan fraction that translocated to the was high for both tree species and more higher concentration was fixed in the Crimean pine. The average content of Lead was 209.11 kg·ha-1 for Crimean pine in all age groups, while for the Black locust is was only 15.52 kg·ha-1 that was by 13.5 times less. We determined large concentrations of Zinc in the Robinia leaves that was gradually decreasing with tree age. We revealed small contamination of Zinc in the Crimean pine with peak values of accumulation in the second age group of this species. We did not fix the definite trend of redistribution and accumulation of copper towards the tree species and age. For the Black locust the minimum content in green mass was determined for Cr and Sn. In general, the leaves fraction of the aboveground phytomass per unit area is able to accumulate the inorganic contaminants, which is ranged from 1.46 to 2134.35 kg·ha-1 for the Crimean pine and from 4.42 to 441.08 for the Black locust.
Variation in hierarchical guild structure between two bird assemblages of a wetland in the Mexican Pacific
Authors: Ruiz Bruce Taylor Mateo Donald , Rangel Salazar José Luis , Enríquez Paula , León-Cortés Jorge L. , García-Estrada Carlos
Published: November 2017

Neotropical wetlands comprise contrasting habitats with highly diverse avifauna, including herbivores, insectivores and carnivores, of both terrestrial and aquatic species. Therefore, comparisons between wetland bird assemblages based only on species identity may disregard turnover within ecological groups, and eclipse important variations between habitat types. We studied bird assemblages from mangrove and estuary habitat types from a coastal lagoon system in Oaxaca, Mexico. For this, we used 640 point counts to obtain data on bird species using those habitats between October 2009 and May 2012. We ascertained guild structure by classifying 139 species in a scalar hierarchy of two-levels: 17 key-resource guilds nested within seven trophic guilds. To evaluate variation in guild structure between habitat types, we contrasted richness and diversity across trophic guilds and tested for variation in abundance within key-resource guilds. We exposed a tendency of greater diversity within terrestrial guilds in mangrove and within aquatic guilds at the estuary. However, these differences were compensatory and neither richness nor diversity varied between habitat types in comparisons across the sets of trophic guilds. Parallel analyses at two hierarchical levels supported the theoretical prediction of greater change at lower levels. Herpetofauna, wood invertebrates, aquatic invertebrates and seeds emerged as dietary components that may explain the distribution of abundance in key-resource guilds. Although the guilds from mangrove and estuary produced comparable sets of richness and diversity values, the actual identity of guilds with high values varied between habitats. On the other hand, species abundance comparisons within guilds pinpointed specific associations with habitat types and this method represents a suitable strategy for identifying habitat preferences in complex wetland bird assemblages.
Anti-candidal effect of endophytic fungi isolated from Calotropis gigantea
Authors: Nath Archana , Joshi Santaram
Published: November 2017

Candida albicans is a most common cause of fungal infections in animals and birds. Understanding the increasing resistance of C. albicans to various antifungal therapeutic agents is important to discover new anti-candidal alternatives. The present study investigated the anti-candidalpotential of five endophytic fungi extracts, isolated from the tropical ethnoveterinary plant, Calotropis gigantea. We firstly evaluated the in vitro antifungal activities of endophytic fungi extracts by the well diffusion method. Secondly, the cells of C. albicans were treated with the potent extract to observe significant ultrastructural changes. To further investigate the in vivo antifungal activity of the extract, some laboratory experiments with mice were undertaken, and posteriourly, the different organs were studied under the electron microscope for any deformities. Phomopsis asparagi showed the best anti-candidal activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 46.9 µg/mL. The fungal test pathogen (C. albicans) exhibited various cell deformities when treated with the extract of P. asparagi. Histopathological studies of the vital organs of mice treated with the potent fungal extract did not show any significant pathological conditions when viewed under scanning electron microscope. Thus, P. asparagi can be a potential candidate for anti-candidal agents against C. albicans. Future studies will focus on the isolation of the bioactive components of the extract.
Diversidad de aves en fragmentos de bosque seco tropical en paisajes ganaderos del Departamento de Córdoba, Colombia
Authors: Vergara Paternina Jose Alejandro , Ballesteros Correa Jesús , González Charrasquiel Carlos , Linares Arias Juan C.
Published: November 2017

In Colombia the tropical dry forest is one of the most threatened and least known ecosystems; these have been impacted by different transformation processes and habitat fragmentation, which have affected bird conditions and survival. This research evaluated the influence of landscape elements (forest and pastures with different tree covers) on bird diversity in the tropical dry forest of Córdoba, Colombia. The study was developed within an extensive livestock landscape to characterize the avifauna in four habitat types formed by fragments of secondary forests with different tree cover: secondary forest, pastures with high tree cover, pastures with low tree cover and only pastures. The influence of tree cover on bird diversity was evaluated with monthly samplings in 200 m long transects (per habitat), with two observation intervals (6:00 - 9:00 and 15:00-18:00), from September 2011 to May 2012. A total of 6 667 individuals belonging to 180 species and 48 families of birds were registered. The most abundant species were Columbina talpacoti (5.37 %), Brotogeris jugularis (5.14 %), Tyrannus melancholicus (4.81 %) and Bubulcus ibis (4.80 %). The most abundant family was Tyrannidae (16.4 %), followed by Psitacidae (9.0 %) and Columbidae (8.2 %). The family with the highest number of species was Tyrannidae with 28 species, followed by Accipitridae and Icteridae with 10 species each. The greatest species richness was present in the secondary forest habitat, followed by the pastures with high tree cover, and pastures with low cover. The lowest abundance and species richness was found in pastures without tree cover with significant differences between the habitats (Fisher, p <0.05). According to the Shannon index, the diversity of birds was higher in the secondary forests. In contrast, the lowest diversity was found in pastures without tree cover. The greatest species richness occurred in the months of October and November. In the rest of the sampling period, the number of recorded species and individuals showed some stability. The importance of trees presence in extensive livestock areas was evidenced because they help to contain an important diversity of bird species, and they also generate connectivity among fragments of secondary forests in the cattle landscape.
The relationship between forest fragmentation and the potential geographical distribution of psittacids (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Plasencia Vázquez Alexis Herminio , Escalona Segura Griselda , Ferrer Sánchez Yarelys
Published: November 2017

Parrots are a seriously threatened group because of the illegal pet trade, their habitat fragmentation and the destruction of tropical forests. This study aimed to determine the relationship between forest fragmentation and the geographic potential distribution of parrot species in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The research was carried out in the Mexican portion of the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic region, which includes the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan. We worked with the eight species of psittacids that inhabit the selected areas: Eupsittula nana, Amazona albifrons, Amazona xantholora, Amazona autumnalis, Pionus senilis, Pyrilia haematotis, Amazona oratrix and Amazona farinosa. For these species, we used the potential geographical distribution maps that were obtained through the Maximum Entropy algorithm, published in 2014. To measure the levels of forest fragmentation in the Peninsula, we employed the land use and vegetation maps from series IV (2007-2010) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. We calculated different landscape metrics at 100 sites randomly distributed within the predicted presence and absence areas for the species. Multivariate methods were used to shorten dimensionality in the analysis, as well as to explore the observed patterns. We did not find any pattern regarding the number of variables that contribute to the logistic regression models (LR) and the size of the parrots’ potential geographical distribution area within the Peninsula. For Pyrilia haematotis and Amazona oratrix, the fragmentation variables used did not seem to have any relationship with their potential geographical distribution in the Peninsula (intersection, Pr < 0.0001). Only for Eupsittula nana, Amazona xantholora and Pionus senilis, we found that the mean patch edge, the mean shape index and the mean perimeter-area ratio were important to determine their potential distribution patterns, respectively; and, in general, the variables indicated the preferences of these parrots to occupy larger habitat patches. Parrots must be given a special care and protection within the states of Campeche and Quintana Roo, since there are areas with high parrot diversity and are importantly affected by human activities. The best recommendation for managers and users of protected areas within the Yucatan Peninsula is that extensive areas of forest should be maintained in order to guarantee the suvival of psittacid populations.
Composición florística y reservas de carbono en bosques ribereños en paisajes agropecuarios de la zona seca del Tolima, Colombia
Authors: Andrade Hernán Jair , Segura-Madrigal Milena A. , Canal-Daza Diana S. , Huertas-Gonzales Alexandra , Mosos-Torres Carlos A.
Published: November 2017

The tropical dry forest is a typical lowland ecosystem that is threatened by a strong seasonality and anthropogenic pressures, which can affect the forest composition and structure. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of two agricultural matrices on the floristic composition and carbon storage in riparian forests. For this, five permanent plots (10 x 10 m each) were established and sampled in the forest interior and at the edge of two agricultural matrices (rice fields and pasture lands), in July 2013. All individuals with a diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm were recorded and measured, and the aboveground biomass was estimated with a general allometric model. Additionally, the importance value index (IVI), species richness and Alpha´s diversity indexes were estimated; an analysis of variance and means comparison tests of Fisher LSD were also carried out. A total of 32 families, 21 genera and 45 species (29 and 33 species in pasture lands and rice fields, respectively) of trees in 0.2 ha were recorded. The most abundant and most ecologically important species were Oxandra espintana and Calliandra sp. (520 and 241 individuals/ha and 72 and 48 % of IVI, respectively). These forests presented a mean dominance of 33.9 m2/ha with no effect (P < 0.05) of forest location or agricultural matrix. The matrix of the landscape did not affect (P > 0.05) the Alpha diversity indexes. The biggest trees and greatest carbon storage were found in forests with pasture matrices when compared to rice fields (14.6 vs 13.4 cm of dbh and 72.9 vs 45.6 t C/ha, respectively). This research provides an understanding of the tree richness and composition and carbon storage of riparian forests in two agricultural matrices, which could be a basis for the establishment of silvopastoral systems with native species.
Ecología y reproducción de Opsanus beta (Actinopterygii: Batrachoididae) en la Laguna de Alvarado, Veracruz, México
Authors: Franco López Jonathan , Santes González Alma G. , Abarca Arenas Luis G. , Bedia Sánchez Carlos , Barrera Escorcia Héctor , Martínez Pérez José A. , Peláez Rodríguez Edgar , Viveros Legorreta José L.
Published: November 2017

Opsanus beta is a permanent species in the Alvarado Lagoon System (ALS), Veracruz, and eventhough it is not of economic importance, it might be actively involved in the energy transfer of the system. Currently, there is no information about the reproductive and ecological characteristics of this common fish, so this work aimed to evaluate those aspects, and to contribute with some ecological features. For this, a total of six sampling sites were selected and studied from April 2008 to December 2012. Per site, we determined fish seasonality, feeding, sex ratio, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic and condition factors for both sexes, as well as the fecundity and length-weight relationships. We also considered some environmental parameters such as temperature, water temperature, depth, salinity and pH. Our results on the environmental parameters analysis did not show significant differences for the study period; besides, salinity data confirmed an oligohaline environment, and the rest of the physico-chemical parameters, varied in accordance with the climatic pattern in the area. We captured a total of 519 fishes, 311 (59.9 %) males and 208 (41.1 %) females; the proportion of males resulted favorable against females throughout the study. The standard length found along the study period showed that the average was higher in males than in females. The trophic spectrum was composed of 13 food items, principally crustaceans, molluscs and fishes; in addition, cannibalism was observed over young individuals during March and April. The most advanced stages of gonadal maturation were recorded from November to March for males, and from November to February in females; generally, the Gonadosomatic index (IGS) recorded the highest values from November to April. The Hepatosomatic Index (IHS) and the Condition Factor (FC) presented an inverse relationship with the Gonadosomatic index (IGS). The fecundity of this species ranged from 96 to 428 oocytes per female. The weight-length relationship by sexes and seasons, showed a higher growth rate for males than for females, and an allometric growth type. The biological and ecological information of O. beta in ALS evidenced the importance of this species and its ecological role in the structure and dynamics of these aquatic communities. This species may be used as a model for future proposals dealing with the management and sustainable use of this ecosystem.
Temporal and spatial variation of richness and abundance of the community of birds in the Pantanal wetlands of Nhecolândia (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil)
Authors: Donatelli Reginaldo José , Eaton Donald P. , Sementili-Cardoso Guilherme , Marques Vianna Renata , Whitacker Gerotti Raphael , Gonçalves Rodrigues Fernanda , Martos Martins Rafael
Published: November 2017

The Pantanal wetlands represent one of the largest flood plains in the World, with extreme climatic variations between dry and wet seasons. The area shelters a high diversity of habitats, representing the main formations found in this sub-region: grasslands, savannah, forested savannah, riparian forests, bays and salines, and Negro river itself. This habitat variability determines the structure and dynamics of the bird community, because most species are closely related to specific habitats. For this, we studied the abundance of bird species from 2001 to 2004 in a Pantanal area of Fazenda Rio Negro, Aquidauana, Brazil. The abundance was compared among those four consecutive years, seasons (dry and wet), time of the day (morning and afternoon), and also between seven different habitats, in order to determine the variation in distribution patterns and habitats used by birds. For this, we used the linear transect method in each of the seven habitats, and recorded bird abundances to obtain richness. The richness registered in the mosaic of habitats was of 201 species for the savannah, 87 in forested savannah, 116 in the riparian forest, 75 in grasslands, 120 in bays, 92 in the salines and 64 in the Negro river, accounting for 348 species in the Pantanal of Rio Negro. Overall, 98 species of migratory birds were registered. The results highlighted some important issues regarding the total abundance of birds in Nhecolândia: Psittacidae was the most abundant family in the region, with prominence in all environments. Recurvirostridae, a monospecific family, showed expressive abundance due to the dominance of Himantopus mexicanus in the salinas, followed by Ardeidae, Anatidae and Cracidae. Other families with high abundance were Tyrannidae, Columbidae, Thraupidae and Emberizidae, all in predominantly terrestrial environments. Moreover: a) The highest number of specimens was recorded in the morning period and in the dry season, regardless of the habitat; b) there were no differences in abundance in the same habitat along the years, but the abundance was different among habitats. In general, the results indicated that there is a relatively stable bird population in each habitat along the annual cycle, but there were differences in abundance among habitats. Thus, additional studies on food availability in dry and wet seasons should be better explored in the future, either in this region or in other Pantanal regions. This fact could better explain the seasonal dynamics of the richness and abundance of birds in the Pantanal area in general.
Essential oils of Baccharis trinervis (Asteraceae) from Costa Rica
Authors: Chaverri Carlos , Cicció José F.
Published: November 2017

Baccharis is an Asteraceae genus of flowering plants, which has about 340 to 400 species, ranging from the Southern United States to the Southern extreme of Argentina and Chile through Central America and the Caribbean regions. The species Baccharis trinervis is a native shrub from Mexico, Central America and throughout South America. In Costa Rica, this species is commonly known as alcotán and the fresh leaves are used as a poultice on wounds and ulcers. The objective of the present research was to characterize the chemical composition of seven hydrodistilled essential oils of diverse morphological parts of B. trinervis. For this, samples were obtained from three locations in Costa Rica and standard laboratory analyses were followed. The essential oils were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using the retention indices on a 5 % phenyl/dimethylpolysiloxane fused silica column in addition to mass spectral fragmentation patterns, which allowed the identification of 268 compounds. The essential oils consisted mainly of terpenoids (92.3 to 97.8 %). The major constituents from the leaf oils were caryophyllene oxide (0.1-22.5 %), viridiflorol (8.8-21.0 %), germacrene D (0.5-19.1 %), germacrene B (0.2-16.0 %), β-caryophyllene (3.5-9.1 %), spathulenol (0.1-8.3 %), δ-3-carene (2.0-6.8 %), and α-pinene (2.5-5.9 %). The flower oil consisted mainly of globulol (0-24 %), β-caryophyllene (9.5-17.1 %), cis-muurola-4(14), 5-diene (traces-13.7 %), germacrene D (4.3-9.9 %), bicyclogermacrene (5.9-8.3 %), ar-curcumene (0-8.0 %), spathulenol (4.3-4.8 %), caryophyllene oxide (3.1-4.7 %), and viridiflorol (0.3-4.7 %). The major components of the branch oil were germacrene B (1.4-18.7 %), germacrene D (14.7-15.6 %), β-caryophyllene (10.1-12.4 %), viridiflorol (0-11.5 %), globulol (0.6-11.3 %), δ-3-carene (4.1-8.1 %), β-phellandrene (1.5-6.5 %), and bicyclogermacrene (3.6-4.9 %). The essential oil composition differed markedly from that of previously studied oils of plants growing in Brazil, which contain two characteristic stereoisomeric methyl dec-2-en-4,6-diynoate compounds not detected in this study. This is the first report about the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from this species growing wild in Costa Rica.
An Open Letter to the owners of the Impact Factor
Authors: Monge Nájera Julián
Published: November 2017

I am writing this open letter to you, the people who produce the Impact Factor reports, in good will and because I believe you can improve it.
The efficiency of Active Labour Market Policies in the European Union: Does it make sense increasing the bill?
Authors: Alegre Juan González
Published: November 2017

This paper evaluates the efficiency of Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs) in the European Union (EU). The paper first reviews the main trends governing the evolution of the European Social Fund (ESF) since its creation. The ESF promotes public expenditure in ALMPs in order to foster social cohesion across the EU. In order to test to what extent this strategy can be backed up by facts, we estimate the impact of public expenditure on ALMPs on the employment rate using panel data from 28 European countries (1985–2011), taking into account the endogeneity of the explanatory variables and the dynamic behaviour of their relationship. Results support the hypothesis that expenditure in ALMPs is more beneficial for employment than aggregate public expenditure. In addition, we show that periphery countries observe a larger efficiency of their ALMPs. These results support the recent policy strategy undertaken by the European Commission to raise the budget devoted to ESF in Member States experiencing higher unemployment rates.
What has been wrong with the retirement rules in Hungary?
Authors: Czeglédi Tibor , Simonovits András , Szabó Endre , Tir Melinda
Published: November 2017

A basic problem with the ever-changing Hungarian retirement rules has been that they created excessive shares of gainers and of losers. Certain workers with long (and continuous) employment could retire well below the normal retirement age (NRA) with full benefit. Other workers, with fragmented and therefore short employment had to work until reaching the ever rising NRA. A peculiar consequence of these rules is the strong negative correlation between the retirement age and the length of contribution. Moving in the direction of a fair system, like the Nonfinancial Defined Contribution system, would improve sustainability and fairness.
Equalising or polarising: The centre–periphery model and the absorption of EU funds under regional operational programmes in Poland
Authors: Kisiała Wojciech , Bajerski Artur , Stępiński Bartosz
Published: November 2017

This article seeks to assess how the absorption of European the Union funds by the Polish voivodeships reflects two basic types of strategy in their allocation, i.e. the polarising and the equalising model. The analysis embraced 16 regional operational programmes (ROPs) between 2007–2013. The frame of reference adopted in the research was the centre-periphery model. Classes of peripherality were distinguished for each voivodeship, and absorption profiles of EU funds were determined for areas differing in their levels of peripherality. The goal of the article was achieved in a multi-stage research procedure ending in the construction of a synthetic index of the spatial orientation of support within the ROPs. The analysis demonstrated that the features of the polarising model tended to predominate in intra-regional policy. In most cases, however, the distribution of EU support represented a mixed model, with a shift towards the polarising one.
Óriás mellékvesetumorok eltávolítása laparoszkópos transperitonealis technikával három sikeres eset kapcsán
Authors: Ottlakán Aurél , Paszt Attila , Borda Bernadett , Simonka Zsolt , Ábrahám Szabolcs , Lázár György
Published: November 2017

Abstract:

With the development of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, indications for resection gradually span from small and benign to bigger and even malignant lesions. We studied the results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for giant (>10 cm) adrenal tumors in three cases. Three patients (2 female, 1 male, mean age 49.33 years, BMI 31) underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy due to giant (>10 cm) adrenal lesions with a limited size Pfannenstiel incision. Mean operative time was 126.66 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 150 ml. Final histology confirmed adrenocortical carcinoma in two cases, and neurofibroma in one case. Mean hospital stay was 4 days, without perioperative complications. R0 resection was carried out in all cases. During a mean follow-up period of 24 months no local or distant metastasis occurred. Under appropriate conditions adrenalectomy performed by the laparoscopic transperitoneal technique for giant malignant tumors proved to be a safe method fulfilling oncological requirements. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(45): 1802–1807.
Magzati-újszülöttkori fejlődési rendellenességek praenatalis ultrahangvizsgálatának eredményessége, a nehézségi és a bizonytalansági faktorok vizsgálata
Authors: Erős Fanni Rebeka , Beke Artúr
Published: November 2017

Abstract:

Introduction and aim: The birth prevalence of congenital malformations is around 2-3%. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of ultrasound diagnostics in detecting congenital malformations. Method: We have processed the prenatal sonographic and postnatal clinical details of 1867 inborn abnormalities in 1200 fetuses over a 7-year period. Results: The mean maternal age upon delivery/abortion was 29.96 ± 5.88 years. In 671 cases, the pregnancy concluded in delivery with a mean gestational age of 35.26 ± 4.2 weeks and mean weight of 2408.67 ± 944.41g. In case of the 529 abortions the mean gestational age was 19.88 ± 2.53 weeks. Seventy-three fetuses were chromosomally abnormal, while 211 had multiple malformations. Prenatal ultrasound was highly sensitive in the detection of central nervous system and thoracic anomalies in utero (72.65% vs. 67.7% sensitivity). The detection rate was high in case of abdominal (59.58%), urogenital (54.55%), and limb/skeletal (50%) malformations as well. However, the diagnosis of face/neck anomalies was somewhat less efficient (31.85%). Conclusions: In approximately half of the cases, postnatally diagnosed abnormalities coincided with the prenatally discovered congenital malformations. The results have confirmed that ultrasonography plays an important role in diagnosing malformations prenatally but it fails to detect all of the developmental abnormalities. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(45): 1794–1801.
METRICS: a pattern language of scholarship in medical education
Authors: Ellaway Rachel , Topps David
Published: November 2017

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Scholarly activity in health professions education has been growing steadily but despite the broad interest, quite what is considered to be scholarly activity in medical education has remained vague. Boyer's classes of scholarly activity (Boyer 1990) and Glassick et al.'s criteria required of an artefact to render it scholarly (Glassick et al. 1997) have been widely discussed. While the Glassick model has helped to define to what scholarly activity should be, we have found the Boyer model of what kinds of activity count as scholarship is lacking. We have developed the METRICS model of scholarly activity in medical education that maps more directly to scholarly activities. Metascholarship - activities that reflect on the nature of scholarshipEvaluation - activities that measure value or axiologyTranslation - activities that move findings or practices from one domain to anotherResearch - activities that focus on theory generation or testing (experimental, descriptive or explanatory)Innovation - activities that focus on creating new ideas, objects and practicesConceptual - activities that explore or develop new models, concepts, and paradigmsSynthesis - activities that focus on the integration of existing knowledge and practice Having built the METRICS model and tested it extensively in our own practice, we now seek to engage others in its use and appraisal.
Making progression and award decisions
Authors: Burr Steven Ashley , Salih Vehid Max , Gale Thomas , Moles David , Vallance Terry , Bristow David
Published: November 2017

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. It is incumbent on medical schools to show, both to regulatory bodies and to the public at large, that their graduating students are "fit for purpose" as doctors. Since students graduate by virtue of passing assessments, it is vital that schools quality assure their assessment procedures, standards and outcomes. An important part of this quality assurance process is how progression and award decisions are made. This begins with developing clear evidence-based policies and processes that ensure assessments are effective, relevant, fair, robust and secure. Assessment is a series of processes primarily designed to enable judgements to be made as to whether a student has, or has not, met the standard required for the outcomes at that stage. This article will provide a clear rationale and guidance for establishing robust processes for making progression and award decisions.
Effect of pressure-relief ducts on traction demand in a tunnel: a numerical evaluation
Authors: Seo Sang Yeon , Ha Heesang
Published: November 2017

High-speed trains are one of the most desirable and environmentally friendly transportation modes, and high-speed rail has been widely implemented in European and Asian countries in order to transport vast quantities of people and commodities rapidly. However, when a high-speed train enters a tunnel, aerodynamic resistance is generated suddenly, which results in higher traction power demand for trains operating in tunnels. It is essential to incorporate pressure-relief systems in tunnels to reduce the aerodynamic resistance caused by passage of a high-speed train. Pressure-relief ducts and vertical shafts are the most commonly used pressure-relief measures in tunnels. The effect of pressure-relief ducts to alleviate the aerodynamic resistance and reduce traction power demand of high-speed trains was thus investigated by means of one-dimensional numerical simulations of various case studies.