bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the IGS–Global Ionospheric Mapping model over Egypt
Authors: Rabah Mostafa , Sedeek Ahmed
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Global ionosphere maps (GIM) are generated on a daily basis at CODE using data from about 400 GPS/GLONASS sites of the IGS and other institutions. The vertical total electron content (VTEC) is modeled in a solar-geomagnetic reference frame using a Spherical Harmonics Expansion “SHE” up to degree and order 15. To cover the holes of the first GIM computation stage existing in the North Africa and over the Oceans resulting a shortage of GNSS station in North Africa, an optimum spatial-temporal interpolation technique was developed to cover these holes (Krankowski and Hernandez-Pajares, 2016). The current paper evaluates the ionospheric correction by Global Ionospheric Maps, GIM, provided in (IONEX) files produced by International GNSS Services “IGS”. The evaluation is performed based on investigating the effect of a given GIM ionospheric correction on kinematic relative positioning solutions. The evaluation was done using several baselines of different lengths in Egypt. The results show that there is no significant effect of the provided GIM values on the solution of kinematic processing. The results confirm that although there is a lack of International GNSS Service (IGS stations) over North Africa, GIMs have no effect in mitigating ionospheric error. A new value for the ionosphere correction VTEC values was obtained by a regional, developed algorithm based on zero-differenced phase ionospheric delay (ZDPID) (Tawfeek et al., 2018). These new values of VTEC were fed into GIMs for the specified stations data. A useful result was obtained for correcting the ionospheric error over kinematic solution of many baseline lengths up to 300 km which demonstrates validity of the proposed evaluation method.
CTDAS-Lagrange v1.0: a high-resolution data assimilation system for regional carbon dioxide observations
Authors: He Wei , van der Velde Ivar R. , Andrews Arlyn E. , Sweeney Colm , Miller John , Tans Pieter , van der Laan-Luijkx Ingrid T. , Nehrkorn Thomas , Mountain Marikate , Ju Weimin , Peters Wouter , Chen Huilin
Published: August 2018

Abstract. We have implemented a regional carbon dioxide data assimilation system based
on the CarbonTracker Data Assimilation Shell (CTDAS) and a high-resolution
Lagrangian transport model, the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian
Transport model driven by the Weather Forecast and Research meteorological
fields (WRF-STILT). With this system, named CTDAS-Lagrange, we
simultaneously optimize terrestrial biosphere fluxes and four parameters
that adjust the lateral boundary conditions (BCs) against CO2
observations from the NOAA ESRL North America tall tower and aircraft
programmable flask packages (PFPs) sampling program. Least-squares
optimization is performed with a time-stepping ensemble Kalman smoother,
over a time window of 10 days and assimilating sequentially a time series of
observations. Because the WRF-STILT footprints are pre-computed, it is
computationally efficient to run the CTDAS-Lagrange system. To estimate the uncertainties in the optimized fluxes from the system, we
performed sensitivity tests with various a priori biosphere fluxes (SiBCASA,
SiB3, CT2013B) and BCs (optimized mole fraction fields from CT2013B and
CTE2014, and an empirical dataset derived from aircraft observations), as
well as with a variety of choices on the ways that fluxes are adjusted
(additive or multiplicative), covariance length scales, biosphere flux
covariances, BC parameter uncertainties, and model–data mismatches. In
pseudo-data experiments, we show that in our implementation the additive
flux adjustment method is more flexible in optimizing net ecosystem exchange (NEE) than the
multiplicative flux adjustment method, and our sensitivity tests with real
observations show that the CTDAS-Lagrange system has the ability to correct
for the potential biases in the lateral BCs and to resolve
large biases in the prior biosphere fluxes. Using real observations, we have derived a range of estimates for the
optimized carbon fluxes from a series of sensitivity tests, which places the
North American carbon sink for the year 2010 in a range from −0.92 to
−1.26 PgC yr−1. This is comparable to the TM5-based estimates of CarbonTracker
(version CT2016, -0.91±1.10 PgC yr−1) and CarbonTracker Europe
(version CTE2016, -0.91±0.31 PgC yr−1). We conclude that
CTDAS-Lagrange can offer a versatile and computationally attractive
alternative to these global systems for regional estimates of carbon fluxes,
which can take advantage of high-resolution Lagrangian footprints that are
increasingly easy to obtain.
Bioaccumulation of Metals in Fish from Sarikum Lake
Authors: Bat Levent , Yardim Öztekin , Öztekn Ayşah , Sahin Fatih
Published: August 2018

Concentrations of five heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in edible tissues of four fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Platichthys flesus, Liza aurata, Mugil cephalus) collected from Natural Reserve Area called Sarikum Lake were determined by ICP-MS (Agilent 7700x).  The order of heavy metal concentration was observed as: Zn> Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd. The heavy metal levels were species specific and significantly different. The highest concentrations of Hg, Cd and Zn were found in flathead grey mullet, European flounder and common carp, respectively. The higher concentrations of Pb and Cu are present in golden grey mullet. The concentrations of Cd are in range of 0.019-0.027 µg g-1 in common carp, 0.028–0.040 µg g-1 in European flounder, 0.020-0.034 µg g-1 in golden grey mullet and 0.16-0.27 µg g-1 in flathead grey mullet tissues. Concentration of Cd in M. cephalus was limit value and precautions need to be taken in order to prevent future heavy metal contamination, but other metals were lower than those in certified values. Keywords: Cyprinus carpio, Platichthys flesus, Liza aurata, Mugil cephalus, Sarikum Lake
Assessing Al-Koura Rural Dialect Archaic Vocabulary Among the Young Generation
Authors: Humeidat Amer Radwan
Published: August 2018

The present study deals with the phenomenon of lexical loss in Al-Koura Rural Dialect in Irbid Governorate, in the northern part of Jordan. Some pre-cultural words suffer from loss and disappearance, and hence, become obsolete. The study aims at identifying the pre-cultural words that are undergoing lexical loss. The study also investigates the diffusion of pre-cultural words among the young generation speakers. The study also examines the linguistic and extra linguistic factors such as solidarity marker, level of education on certain pre-cultural words among the young generation. The present study involved two central methods necessary to achieve the purposes of the study. The first method was to make interview recordings with old group members to collect pre-cultural words through addressing general questions. The questions covered a variety of topics such as food, clothes, glasses and weather. The second method was to compile a questionnaire with the pre-cultural words to be distributed among the young speakers. The questionnaire contained 222 pre-cultural words which refer to several spheres and contexts of life in the society at the previous era. The questionnaire was distributed to 400 young participants. The study group included school and college male and female students. The study group also included other employees from different governmental sectors in Al-Koura District. The findings showed that 168 words were not much familiar to the young speakers. The findings also revealed that the pre-cultural words were sort of familiar to the male young speakers rather than the female young speakers. The lower the age, the less familiar s/he with the traditional pre-cultural words. The educated young speakers who have a lower or medium education level obtain little knowledge of pre-cultural words. The solidarity among the young speakers appeared to be higher than that of the old people.
Applying Cognitive Linguistics to Enhance the Semantics of English at: An Experimental Study (Baghdad University)
Authors: Aajami Raghad Fahmi
Published: August 2018

The current study is quantitative by nature; it cognitively studies the polysemous network of the English preposition at and its various meanings. The results of the pre-test conducted by the researcher have tentatively revealed that Iraqi second language (L2) learners fall in the perplexity because of the multi-usages of this preposition. This incomprehensive view of the preposition at motivates the researcher to analyze this preposition semantically according to insights from cognitive linguistics (CL) that was developed by Evans and Tyler (2003). Accordingly, sixty-eight second year university students participated in this experimental study. The pre-test and post-test data were analyzed using SPSS. Results have shown the following: First, a progress of more than (0.05) has been detected as far as students' understanding of the multiple usages of the preposition at. Second, the results of the questionnaire have shown a prominent positive change in the students' attitude toward CL approach. Third, the main source of difficulty regarding the diversity in the semantics of the preposition at has been displayed. Fourth, CL as an approach has proven its effectiveness in accurately comprehending of the semantics of the English preposition at.
The Desna River Daily Multi-Site Streamflow Modeling Using SWAT with Detail Snowmelt Adjustment
Authors: Osypov Valeriy , Osadcha Nataliia , Hlotka Dmytro , Osadchyi Volodymyr , Nabyvanets Juriy
Published: August 2018

The Ukrainian Government started the process of EU water Directives implementation aimed at developing of the River Basin Management Plan for 9 main river catchments. The program SWAT was tested to simulate the water flow of a large plain river with a predominant snow supply. River discharges (12 gauges), snow cover depth (13 stations), and the soft data, including graphically defined surface runoff and MODIS evapotranspiration, were used to calibrate the model. The calibration flowchart, along with a detailed source data description, is proposed to aid with streamflow simulation for the snowmelt-driven watersheds and fill the existing gap of distributed hydrological modeling in the region. The main issues with snow simulation and climate data coverage are discussed. The program SUFI-2 in SWAT-CUP package was used for performing calibration/validation and uncertainty analysis. The statistics (R2, NSE, PBIAS) showed good agreement (NS > 0.7, R2 > 0.75, PBIAS < ±10%) for a major part of the gauges and satisfactory for all of them (NS > 0.5, R2 > 0.6, PBIAS < ±15%), except of two linked upstream outlets. This study provides the basis for further research on water resources, the impacts of climate change, and water quality issues.
Developing International Law in Challenging Times
Authors: Botchway Thomas Prehi , Kwarteng Abdul Hamid
Published: August 2018

The challenges confronted by the world in the 21st century are enormous; from the massive outflow of refugees, the threat of terrorism, the need for a general consensus to protect the environment, etc. There is thus the need for scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders of international law to think of effective and efficient ways of developing robust and strong international laws to deal effectively with these challenges.Using the qualitative approach to research, this paper examines some of the key challenges that confronts the development of and compliance with international law. The paper offers some new insights which have the propensity to aid in the development of and compliance with international law in these challenging times.The paper concludes that though international law has over the years expedited addressing most of the world’s challenges, the recent challenges requires modifications of some aspects of existing international laws to effectively deal with such challenges. For instance, there is the need to review the veto power of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council; there must be better interpretation of the law that prohibits the use of force, as well as the need for appropriate measures to convince states that abiding by international law is a win-win game. In addition, deploying economic diplomacy and applying the Corporate Social Responsibility Approach to Building International Law (CRASBIL) are deemed meaningful for developing international law and also achieving effective compliance.
Everything in Motion is Put in Motion by Another
Authors: Shields Daniel ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2018

I argue for a novel reading of the mover principle used in Aquinas’s motion proofs for God’s existence. Many interpret Aquinas’s principle as holding that everything in motion is moved by something else currently in contact with it. Others, following James Weisheipl, understand the principle as claiming only that everything being moved is being moved by something else. I argue against both readings and hold that the principle means that everything in motion is moved by something else—whether that something else simply set it in motion or is currently moving it by contact. By looking closely at Aquinas’s inductive argument for the mover principle, I show that simultaneity between mover and moved is not necessary on Aquinas’s view. My interpretation allows me to respond to objections to Aquinas’s act-potency argument for the mover principle more convincingly than others, and sets the groundwork for robust engagement between Thomism and modern science.
A POLÍTICA PÚBLICA DE MEDIAÇÃO COMO INSTRUMENTO DE BUSCA DO CONSENSO PARENTAL E SEUS REFLEXOS NA EFETIVAÇÃO DA GUARDA COMPARTILHADA
Authors: Rodrigues Edwirges Elaine , Alvarenga Maria Amália De Figueiredo Pereira
Published: August 2018

Em decorrência da reforma do Judiciário, foi instituída pelo Conselho Nacional de Justiça, nova política social, de modo a organizar e solidificar, em âmbito nacional, não somente os serviços prestados nos processos judiciais, como também de outros mecanismos de solução de conflitos, em especial, os não adversariais, como a mediação. A mediação familiar, mostra-se, o caminho adequado para dirimir os conflitos de guarda de filhos. Sabe-se que para haver sucesso na aplicação da guarda compartilhada, deve existir um mínimo de diálogo entre os pais, pois, todas as decisões acerca dos filhos, devem ser tomadas em conjunto. Por outro lado, o desentendimento e rancor, são comuns ao final dos relacionamentos. Assim, a mediação faz-se importante instrumento para a efetivação da guarda conjunta, a fim de propiciar aos pais,  o entendimento necessário para distinguir a conjugalidade da parentalidade, pois, aquela chega ao fim, mas esta permanece, devendo ser observados os princípios da parentalidade responsável e o melhor interesse dos filhos.
CIÊNCIA, SUBJETIVIDADE E OBJETIVIDADE NA ESCOLHA DO TEMA PELOS DISCENTES DE UM PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM DIREITO CONSTITUCIONAL SOB A ÓTICA DE TRIVIÑOS
Authors: Tassigny Mônica Mota , Araujo Liane Cavalcante , Cavalcante Débora Maria Santiago
Published: August 2018

A evolução da ciência é influenciada pelos limites da subjetividade e da objetividade na produção do conhecimento científico. Neste cenário, o presente estudo aborda as correntes do pensamento, sob a ótica de Triviños, e analisa a possibilidade de construção da verdade científica, relacionando este conceito ao que se entende por consciência e realidade objetiva (subjetividade e objetividade). A partir da aplicação de um questionário estruturado aos discentes de um Programa de Pós-graduação em Direito Constitucional, busca-se identificar o viés epistemológico predominante, a fim de possibilitar a compreensão do que se entende por verdade científica entre os referidos pesquisadores. Evidencia-se que este conceito diz respeito a um modo de situar a realidade em um dado momento histórico, respeitando: o estágio das descobertas científicas, a cultura e a delimitação geográfica do local. Os resultados indicam ainda a rejeição do método científico indutivo, característico do positivismo. Trata-se de pesquisa bibliográfica e de campo, de natureza teórica e empírica, com abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa.
Zoneamento ambiental de bacia hidrográfica ocupada por assentamento rural: estudo de caso do Córrego Indaiá- MS
Authors: Siva Leandro Félix da , Cunha Elias Rodrigues da , Bacani Vitor Matheus
Published: August 2018

A instalação de um complexo de assentamentos rurais na bacia hidrográfica do córrego Indaiá tem promovido alterações na dinâmica de uso da terra e cobertura vegetal. Neste sentido o zoneamento ambiental apresenta-se como uma boa alternativa para o manejo adequado dos recursos naturais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar uma proposta de zoneamento ambiental para a bacia hidrográfica do córrego Indaiá, localizada no sudeste do município de Aquidauana no estado do MS. O zoneamento ambiental foi elaborado através da combinação dos dados de fragilidade ambiental, uso da terra e cobertura vegetal e o código florestal brasileiro, a partir de análise espacial utilizando geotecnologias. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram-se bastante satisfatório e permitiram a definição de cinco zonas ambientais: zona de desenvolvimento agropastoril de alta restrição (36,56%), zona de desenvolvimento agropastoril de média restrição (21,30%), zona de proteção especial (28,56%), zona de proteção máxima (6,82%) e a zona estratégica de recuperação (6,76%). A proposta de zoneamento ambiental indicou eficientemente áreas de preservação dos recursos naturais e de atividades econômicas que podem ser exercidas na bacia hidrográfica do córrego Indaiá.
Um olhar geográfico sobre a identidade Grapiúna: a identidade das terras do sem fim de Jorge Amado
Authors: Santos Rita de Cássia Evangelista dos , Silva Valéria Cristina Pereira da
Published: August 2018

O artigo busca no romance Terras do Sem Fim elementos que, segundo Jorge Amado, são característicos da identidade grapiúna, a identidade da região cacaueira da Bahia. Ao narrar as disputas por terras para o plantio do cacau, no sul da Bahia, no final do século XIX e início do século XX, Jorge Amado nos fornece muitas características dessa região, onde, a partir do intenso processo migratório, mesclaram-se diferentes sujeitos sociais com seus costumes, crenças, experiências, vivências, hábitos conformando assim uma região cultural com identidade própria tendo o cacau como o grande símbolo. Como metodologia, utilizamos a pesquisa bibliográfica a partir da análise do romance em questão embasando-a com textos de importantes autores que estudam o tema da identidade. O texto de Penna (1992) foi utilizado enquanto recurso metodológico, sendo correlacionadas as hipóteses que a autora levanta sobre o que faz ser nordestino com algumas partes do romance em que Jorge Amado apresenta-nos alguns aspectos da identidade grapiúna, afim de melhor compreender as nuances desta identidade.
Análise das transformações ambientais no entorno do Parque Estadual do Lajeado, Palmas – Tocantins.
Authors: Furtado Simonní Elias , Cristo Sandro Sidnei Vargas de
Published: August 2018

A pesquisa consiste na análise das transformações do uso do solo ocorridas entre os anos de 2000 a 2015 no entorno do Parque Estadual do Lajeado, localizado no município de Palmas, capital do estado do Tocantins, tomando-se como referência a observação da interferência das diferentes formas de ocupação ali instaladas. Para atingir o objetivo proposto utilizou-se técnicas de Geoprocessamento e Sensoriamento Remoto com a organização de um banco de dados via software Spring, do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) e a interpretação de imagens dos satélites Landsat 5 e Landsat 8, apoiadas por diversos trabalhos de campo. Os resultados mostram que a expansão urbana e agricultura em larga escala são os principais responsáveis pela significativa transformação dos aspectos naturais da área.
Efeitos da fertilização potássica no crescimento inicial de  Khaya senegalensis  A. Juss no bioma Cerrado
Authors: Araújo Matheus Da Silva , D'Abadia Karolayne Lemes , Cunha Stephany Diolino , Coelho Gustavo Matos , Morais Yago Cesar Rodrigues , Barretto Vitor Corrêa de Mattos , Calixto Junior José Eduardo Dias
Published: August 2018

No presente estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento inicial de mudas de mogno-africano (Khaya senegalensis A. Juss.) adubadas com diferentes doses de potássio. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, em recipiente de plástico com capacidade para 7 dm3 e utilizando como substrato o solo classificado como Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições, totalizando 25 unidades experimentais. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de cinco doses de K: 0; 40; 80; 120 e 160 mg dm-3, utilizando para aplicação o cloreto de potássio. Aos 150 dias, foram aferidos a altura da planta, o diâmetro do coleto e a massa de matéria seca de folhas, caule, raiz e massa de matéria seca total. Constatou-se que, as doses crescentes de potássio não promoveram aumento no crescimento das plantas. O mogno-africano apresentou baixa exigência em potássio nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento para a condição edafoclimática no local do experimento.
Novel larvicide tablets of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis: Assessment of larvicidal effect on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Colombia
Authors: Gómez-Vargas Wilber , Valencia-Jiménez Kelly , Correa-Londoño Guillermo , Jaramillo-Yepes Faiber
Published: August 2018

Introducción. Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti es el vector de los arbovirus del dengue, el chikungunya y el Zika. Para el control de este vector, se diseñó y desarrolló un bioinsecticida en presentación de tableta sólida, el Bti-CECIF, que contiene Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) de serotipo H-14.Objetivo. Evaluar en condiciones de ‘semicampo’ y de campo, la eficacia y la actividad residual de las tabletas de Bti-CECIF en larvas de A. aegypti en dos municipios colombianos.Materiales y métodos. En el municipio de Apartadó, departamento de Antioquia, se probaron bajo condiciones de ‘semicampo’ en tanques de plástico de 250 l (Rotoplast™) cuatro dosis diferentes de Bti (0,13, 0,40, 0,66 y 0,93 mg/l) para evaluar la eficacia del Bti-CECIF (porcentaje de reducción de la densidad larvaria) y la actividad residual en tanques de agua que contenían larvas de tercer estadio de A. aegypti. La eficacia y el efecto residual de la dosis más letal fueron posteriormente evaluadas en tanques de cemento bajo condiciones de campo en el municipio de San Carlos, departamento de Córdoba. Resultados. Bajo condiciones de ‘semicampo’, la mayor dosis probada exhibió la mayor actividad residual (15 días), después de lo cual la mortalidad de las larvas fue de 80 %. Bajo condiciones de campo, la máxima dosis probada de Bti-CECIF mostró una mortalidad de 100 % y exhibió una actividad residual de siete días en el 90 % de los tanques.Conclusión. Las tabletas Bti-CECIF controlaron eficazmente A. aegypti en condiciones de campo durante siete días a partir de su aplicación.
Conocimientos, prácticas y aspectos entomológicos del dengue en Medellín, Colombia: un estudio comparativo entre barrios con alta y baja incidencia
Authors: Ortiz Celeny , Rúa-Uribe Guillermo L. , Rojas Carlos A.
Published: August 2018

Introducción. El dengue, transmitido principalmente por Aedes aegypti, es una enfermedad viral de gran importancia en salud pública. Colombia es un país endemoepidémico para el dengue y, en ciudades como Medellín, hay barrios con alta y baja incidencia. Las diferencias en cuanto a los conocimientos, las prácticas y los aspectos entomológicos podrían estar determinando la dinámica de la enfermedad en los barrios.Objetivo. Determinar los conocimientos y prácticas en torno al dengue de los habitantes de barrios con alta y baja incidencia y explorar los aspectos entomológicos relacionados con la presencia del vector.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal y se compararon dos barrios con alta incidencia y dos con baja incidencia durante el trienio de 2013 a 2015. Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 100 viviendas por barrio para evaluar los conocimientos, las prácticas y los aspectos entomológicos. Se hicieron el análisis descriptivo, el bivariado y el multivariado (regresión logística).Resultados. En los barrios con alta incidencia, los participantes se caracterizaron por no haber realizado estudios o haber cursado únicamente primaria (odds ratio, OR=1,69; IC95%=1,09-2,63), así como por pertenecer al régimen subsidiado del sistema de seguridad social en salud o no estar afiliado (OR=2,16; IC95% 1,41-3,32) y, además, presentaron un mayor conocimiento del vector (OR=1,53; IC95% 1,00-2,35). En cuanto a las prácticas, la posibilidad de encontrar viviendas en donde se almacenaba el agua fue mayor (OR=1,69; IC95% 1,11-2,57) y, en lo relacionado con los aspectos entomológicos, se encontraron más viviendas con mosquitos adultos (OR=2,13; IC95% 1,29-3,50).Conclusiones. En este estudio se encontraron diferencias importantes entre los barrios en cuanto a los conocimientos, las prácticas y la presencia de estados adultos del vector, lo cual contribuye a explicar la epidemiología del dengue en estos lugares.
Nuclei ultrastructural changes of C6/36 cells infected with virus dengue type 2
Authors: Rivera Jorge Alonso , Rengifo Aura Caterine , Sarmiento Ladys , Díaz Taylor , Laiton-Donato Katherine , Gracia Martha , Camacho Sigrid , Velandia-Romero Myriam , Castellanos Jaime , Caldas María Leonor
Published: August 2018

Introducción. La replicación del virus del dengue se ha considerado principalmente citoplásmica; sin embargo, en diversos estudios se ha informado que algunos flavivirus pueden utilizar factores intranucleares como parte de la maquinaria que utilizan para aumentar la capacidad de infección en la célula huésped. En este trabajo se describen las alteraciones a nivel nuclear en células infectadas con dengue, probablemente involucradas en procesos de replicación viral.Objetivo. Presentar las observaciones ultraestructurales de células C6/36 de Aedes albopictus infectadas con el virus del dengue de tipo 2.Materiales y métodos. Se infectaron células C6/36 con suero de un paciente con diagnóstico de dengue 2; posteriormente, se mantuvieron en medio de cultivo durante 10 días y se evaluó el efecto citopático. Las células se procesaron para los ensayos de inmunofluorescencia y microscopía electrónica de transmisión, con el fin de hacer el estudio ultraestructural.Resultados. Los ensayos de inmunofluorescencia confirmaron la presencia de la proteína E viral asociada con sincitios celulares en el cultivo. En el estudio ultraestructural, las células infectadas tenían estructuras vesiculares y tubulares, y cisternas dilatadas del retículo endoplásmico en el citoplasma.Las partículas virales se encontraron exclusivamente en vacuolas localizadas en el citoplasma. Los núcleos de los sincitios celulares contenían estructuras de membrana dispuestas en forma circular y, en algunos casos, dichos sincitios presentaban lisis. En ningún caso se observaron partículas virales en el núcleo.Conclusiones. No se habían reportado alteraciones ultraestructurales en los núcleos de células infectadas con el virus del dengue detectadas mediante técnicas de microscopia electrónica. Es probable que tales modificaciones estén asociadas con procesos intranucleares de replicación como un mecanismo alternativo.
Microcephaly in Colombia before the Zika outbreak: A systematic literature review
Authors: Candelo Estephania , Caicedo Gabriela , Feinstein Max , Pachajoa Harry
Published: August 2018

Introducción. La microcefalia consiste en una circunferencia cefálica menor de la esperada. Recientemente, el virus del Zika se ha asociado con esta condición.Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de la microcefalia en Colombia, estableciendo como línea de base el periodo anterior a la epidemia del virus del Zika.Materiales y métodos. Se revisaron las bases de datos Medline, Scopus, Scielo, Lilacs y el reporte anual de malformaciones congénitas en Latinoamérica, así como otras fuentes publicadas antes de abril de 2015 con los datos de prevalencia de la microcefalia en Colombia entre 1982 y 2013.Resultados. Se detectaron 32 artículos no duplicados, se revisaron 25 y se seleccionaron 12 que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión para la revisión sistemática, los cuales registraban 2’808.308 nacimientos.Conclusiones. La prevalencia de la microcefalia en Colombia entre 1982 y 2013, antes de la epidemia del virus del Zika, oscilaba entre 0,3 y 3,1 por 10.000 nacimientos, con un promedio de 1,8 (IC95% 1,7-1,8). Este dato es importante para determinar la diferencia en la prevalencia después de la introducción del virus del Zika en Colombia.
In vitro culture of L3 larvae of nematodes obtained from the African giant snail Lissachatina fulica (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Santa Fe de Antioquia
Authors: Heredia Nelly Solfania , Ávila Ann Sabrina , Velásquez Luz Elena
Published: August 2018

Introducción. Más de 170 municipios colombianos están invadidos por Lissachatina fulica, caracol africano que puede portar larvas de nematodos de interés en salud humana y veterinaria. Los parásitos entran al caracol huésped intermediario en el estadio de larva L1, y allí cambian a L2 y L3, formas estas capaces de infectar a vertebrados.Objetivo. Estandarizar el cultivo in vitro de las L3 portadas por especímenes de L. fulica recolectados en Santa Fe de Antioquia.Materiales y métodos. Entre julio y noviembre de 2014 se recolectaron 10 caracoles, se sacrificaron y se digirieron con ácido clorhídrico al 0,7 %. Las larvas se recuperaron mediante la técnica de Baermann; se cultivaron 36 días en los medios Schneider, mínimo esencial de Eagle modificado por Dulbecco (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagles Minimal Essential Medium, DMEM), y Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI), con suero fetal bovino (SFB) al 20 % y sin este, y agua destilada con SFB al 20 %. Los medios de cultivo se cambiaron cada 36 horas. Las larvas se midieron con el microscopio utilizando reglilla ocular, y se evaluaron la supervivencia, la longitud y el ancho. Se calcularon datos estadísticos de resumen y se hicieron gráficos de cajas y bigotes, así como la prueba t de Student. El nivel de significación (p) se estableció como menor de 0,05.Resultados. El 50 % de las larvas sobrevivió, 85 % en DMEM con SFB al 20 %, el 70 % con RPMI más SFB al 20 %, el 60 % en RPMI, el 50 % en Schneider más SFB al 20 %, el 45 % en Schneider y el 40 % en DMEM. El control sobrevivió diez días. Hubo diferencias significativas entre la longitud inicial promedio de las larvas y la longitud final promedio en los medios con suplementos: inicial, 645,83 μm; final en DMEM más SFB al 20 %, 732,65 μm (p<0,001); en RPMI más SFB al 20 %, 718,79 μm (p<0,001), y en Schneider más SFB al 20 %, 696,12 μm (p<0,01). No hubo diferencias significativas entre la anchura inicial promedio, de 24,99 μm, y la final.Conclusiones. El mejor medio para cultivar las L3 de L. fulica fue el DMEM más SFB al 20 %. En la evaluación del crecimiento larval, la longitud fue más informativa que la anchura. Las larvas estudiadas no correspondieron a Angiostrongylus cantonensis, A. costaricensis ni Aelurostrongylus abstrusus.
Detección molecular de Salmonella spp., Listeria spp. y Brucella spp. en queso artesanal fresco comercializado en Barranquilla: un estudio piloto
Authors: Soto-Varela Zamira E. , Gutiérrez Clara Gilma , De Moya Yurina , Mattos Ramón , Bolívar-Anillo Hernando José , Villarreal José Luis
Published: August 2018

Introducción. Cada año mueren, aproximadamente, tres millones de personas como consecuencia de las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos. El queso artesanal fresco que se produce y distribuye en la región Caribe colombiana es un producto autóctono de los departamentos de Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, Cesar y La Guajira. Su consumo masivo aumenta el riesgo de infección con salmonelosis, listeriosis y brucelosis debido a que es elaborado con una tecnología muy rústica, con leche de vaca no pasteurizada, sin procedimientos estandarizados e higiénicos, y a que su almacenamiento no es adecuado.Objetivo. Detectar la presencia de Salmonella spp., Listeria spp. y Brucella spp. en muestras de queso artesanal costeño fresco procedente de los departamentos de la región Caribe colombiana.Materiales y métodos. Mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (qPCR), se analizaron 27 muestras de queso proveniente de cinco departamentos de la región Caribe: Atlántico (n=6), Bolívar (n=2), Córdoba (n=1), Magdalena (n=16) y Sucre (n=2). Del total de las muestras, 17 eran de queso blando, cinco de queso semiduro y cinco de queso duro.Resultados. En el 62,9 % de las muestras se detectó Salmonella spp. (17/27), en el 70,4 %, Listeria spp. (19/27), y en el 22,2 %, Brucella spp. (6/27). Las muestras provenían principalmente del departamento del Magdalena y, en 62,5 % (10/16) de ellas, se encontró Salmonella spp. y Listeria spp., en tanto que en el 50 % (3/6) de las muestras del departamento del Atlántico se detectó Brucella spp. Conclusión. Los resultados evidenciaron la presencia de estos microorganismos en todas las muestras de queso costeño blando.
Walking and hypertension: greater reductions in subjects with higher baseline systolic blood pressure following six months of guided walking
Authors: Mandini Simona , Conconi Francesco , Mori Elisa , Myers Jonathan , Grazzi Giovanni , Mazzoni Gianni
Published: August 2018

Background

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of walking on the blood pressure in sedentary adults with differing degrees of systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Methods

A total of 529 subjects with SBP above 120 mmHg were enrolled. Blood pressure, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and walking speed were determined at enrolment and after six months. Walking sessions were supervised by exercise physiologists.

Results

The weekly walking time of the subjects completing the project was uniform and reached 300 minutes by the second month. 56% of participants completed the 6 months intervention (182 women 59.6 ± 9.0 years, and 114 men, 65.4 ± 8.6 years) 27 had a baseline SBP >160 mm Hg, 35 between 150–159, 70 between 140–149, 89 between 130–139 and 75 between 120–129 mmHg. Following six months of supervised walking, SBP was significantly reduced in all subgroups (p < 0.001), with the greatest reduction (−21.3 mmHg) occurring in subjects with baseline SBP >160 and the smallest reduction (−2.6 mmHg) occurring in subjects with baseline SBP of 120–129 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure, body weight, body mass index and waist circumference were also significantly reduced following the walking intervention (p < 0.001). These reductions were nearly identical within the various groups.

Discussion

In a large group of sedentary adults with varying degrees of SBP, 6 months of supervised walking elicited a marked reduction in systolic blood pressure with the largest reductions in pressure occurring in individuals with higher baseline SBP.
Profiling exercise intensity during the exergame Hollywood Workout on XBOX 360 Kinect®
Authors: Viana Ricardo B. , Vancini Rodrigo L. , Vieira Carlos A. , Gentil Paulo , Campos Mário H. , Andrade Marilia S. , de Lira Claudio Andre B.
Published: August 2018

Background

Despite the increasing popularity of exergame practice and its promising benefits in counteracting physical inactivity, limited research has been performed to document the physiological responses during an exergame session. This study aims (i) to investigate the responses of heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$) during an exergame session and to compare with HR and ${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ measured during joystick session and (ii) to compare HR and ${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ obtained during exergame and joystick session with those HR and ${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ associated with first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2, respectively) obtained during a maximal graded exercise test.

Methods

A total of 39 participants performed a maximal graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\max $), VT1, and VT2. On separate days, participants performed an exergame and traditional sedentary game (with a joystick) sessions. The time that participants remained with HR and ${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ below the VT1, between the VT1 and VT2 and above the VT2 were calculated to determine exercise intensity.

Results

Heart rate and ${\dot{\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ were below VT1 during 1,503 ± 292 s (86.1 ± 16.7%) and 1,610 ± 215 s (92.2 ± 12.3%), respectively. There was an increase in HR and ${{\dot {\rm V}}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ as a function of exergame phases, since HR mean values in the ‘warm-up’ period (119 ± 13 bpm) were lower than the ‘main phase’ (136 ± 15 bpm) and ‘cool-down’ periods (143 ± 15 bpm) (p < 0.001). Regarding ${\dot {\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ values, the ‘warm-up’ (25.7 ± 2.9 mL.kg−1.min−1) were similar to the ‘main phase’ (25.1 ± 2.8 mL.kg−1.min−1) (p > 0.05) and lower than the ‘cool-down’ (28.0 ± 4.8 mL.kg−1.min−1) (p < 0.001). For all times of the joystick session, average HR and ${\dot {\rm V}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}$ were below the VT1 levels.

Conclusion

Exergames can be classified as light to moderate exercise. Thus, exergames could be an interesting alternative to traditional forms of exercise.
Fungal Ecology
Authors: Slot Jason C
Published: August 2018

Fungal ecology encompasses the relationships among fungi, the environment and other organisms. Fungi are essential partners of primary producers and the main decomposers of plant biomass. They contribute to soil, water and atmospheric biogeochemical cycles. By accessing and mobilising nutrients from rocks and soil, fungi contribute to the establishment of ecosystems. In addition to a key function in decomposition, fungi are intimate associates of plants, animals, other fungi, bacteria and viruses in diverse mutualistic and antagonistic roles across environments. Fungi are most diverse in undisturbed forests, but are also residents of environments with extremes of cold and desiccation, and are found in aquatic and marine ecosystems. Fungi employ various sexual and asexual strategies for dispersal and inhabit both mild and extreme habitats. Agricultural and industrial pollution impacts the diversity of fungi, which in turn are indicators of ecosystem health.

Key Concepts

The fungal lifestyle is adapted to diverse interactions with other organisms.

Fungal symbioses with plants underpin terrestrial ecosystems.

Fungi are the main recyclers of plant biomass, including wood.

Fungal communities are most readily studied with molecular techniques.

Fungi interact with other organisms with secondary metabolites.

Fungi provide structure to soils and biological crusts.

Fungi have been found in all of earth's ecosystems.
Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias
Authors: Boutry Maxime , Stevanin Giovanni
Published: August 2018

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs), also known as Strümpell–Lorrain disease, are rare neurological conditions characterised by gradual spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs caused by developmental failure and/or degeneration of motor neuron axons in the corticospinal tract. The course is generally slowly progressive, with considerable variation in age at onset and severity of spasticity. There are also complex forms of HSPs, with additional neurological features or extraneurological signs. HSPs are transmitted according to all classical modes of inheritance and are extremely heterogeneous genetically as >80 causative genes or loci have been identified. The altered cellular functions include mainly intracellular trafficking, endoplasmic reticulum shaping, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial functions. The multiple inheritance modes and phenotypic presentation of several HSP genes together with the clinical and genetic overlap of HSPs with other neurological disorders complicate greatly their diagnosis in clinical practice.

Key Concepts

Hereditary spastic paraplegias are among the most highly heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders.

The clinical presentation in patients can be pure or complex, variably associating additional, neurological and nonneurological signs.

Mutations or genomic rearrangements in >80 genes/loci can lead to spastic paraplegia.

Their diagnosis in clinical practice is complicated by (1) their heterogeneity, (2) the multiple inheritance modes of some of the genes involved and (3) by their overlap with other neurological disorders in terms of phenotype and causative genes, calling for a new nosology.

A relatively small number of functions are altered in these diseases, mainly intracellular trafficking, endoplasmic reticulum shaping, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial functions.

Only few biological markers can be used in clinical practice for follow‐up and diagnosis confirmation.
InsilicoDrug Design
Authors: Makrynitsa Garyfallia I , Lykouras Michail , Spyroulias Georgios A , Matsoukas Minos‐Timotheos
Published: August 2018

In the field of computational drug design, the identification and characterisation of the biological target of interest is a major step. Despite the growing number of such resolved protein structures every year, there are still many drug targets, especially membrane proteins, for which structural determination is very difficult. In these cases, experimental knowledge on already determined bioactive molecules may be used successfully for computational ligand‐based drug‐design methods. However, for the past three decades, most drug discovery efforts have been driven by the structure of the target biomolecule. Advances in structural biology methods have provided structural information of many molecules, giving rise to the structure‐based drug‐design process as a powerful tool for drug discovery in research academia and pharmaceutical industry. Both fields in thein silicodrug‐design field are commonly used, each one depending on background experimental information and relevant computational methodologies.

Key Concepts

The main computer‐aided drug‐design approaches are either ligand or structure based.

Main ligand‐based methods for identifying bioactive compounds are chemical similarity, pharmacophore mapping and QSAR.

Advances in structural biology methodologies have greatly assisted structure‐based drug design.

Structure‐based methods in computational drug design are mostly molecular docking, molecular dynamics, fragment‐based drug‐design and pharmacophore modelling.

Docking and pharmacophore methodologies are most commonly used for virtual screening in drug design.
Evolution of Phenotypic Plasticity and Gene Expression during Character Displacement
Authors: Levis Nicholas A , Pfennig David W
Published: August 2018

Character displacement – trait evolution that arises as an adaptive response to competition between species – is central to the origins, abundance and distribution of biodiversity. Yet, until recently, little was known of character displacement's underlying mechanisms. Although character displacement is assumed to arise solely through changes in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, many species can also respond adaptively to competition by facultatively altering traits via phenotypic plasticity, which frequently entails changes in gene expression. New research has revealed that these two mechanisms might often act together during character displacement. In particular, character displacement might proceed through an initial phase in which trait (and gene expression) differences are environmentally induced to a latter phase in which such differences become fixed via changes in DNA sequence. This plasticity‐first hypothesis has increasing support, suggesting that it may be a common pathway to character displacement.

Key Concepts

Competition is a key driver of phenotypic divergence between species.

Character displacement is an evolutionary process in which natural selection causes a shift in phenotype production to reduce competition.

This shift often causes competing lineages to differ more where they occur together (sympatry) than where each occurs in the other's absence (allopatry).

Both DNA sequence changes and phenotypic plasticity can play a role in mediating character displacement.

Competitively mediated phenotypic plasticity involves environmentally induced changes in gene expression.

Character displacement might undergo plasticity‐first evolution, whereby it transitions from an environmentally induced phase to a genetically fixed one.

An example of plasticity‐mediated character displacement comes from spadefoot toad (genusSpea) tadpoles.

As a consequence of character displacement, sympatric populations of one species (Spea bombifrons) have lost diet‐dependent plasticity in gene expression.

Thus, character displacement has facilitated genetic assimilation at both the phenotypic and molecular levels in this species.

Further exploration of character displacement's underlying mechanisms might provide some of the most compelling cases of plasticity‐first evolution and genetic assimilation in nature.
Large‐Area Metal Gaps and Their Optical Applications
Authors: Bahk Young‐Mi , Kim Dai‐Sik , Park Hyeong‐Ryeol
Published: August 2018

Recent technological advances in fabrication methods have allowed researchers to manipulate light–matter interactions in the subwavelength region and develop a wide variety of innovative optical applications from the visible to the microwave region. Metal patterning at a subwavelength scale plays a crucial role in realizing these optical applications. Various standard lithography techniques including laser beam machining, focused ion beam, photolithography, and electron‐beam lithography are used for the subwavelength feature size of the metal patterns. Many recent studies have demonstrated that funneling light into nanometer‐wide gaps in metals gives rise to strong field enhancements and nonlocal electromagnetic effects. However, these standard methods encounter difficulties when one tries to fabricate nanometer feature sizes with macroscopic circumferences, crucial for long‐wavelength applications, over a large area. Here, new lithography techniques that fabricate an array of metal gaps of nanometer‐to‐Ångstrom scale are covered. The corresponding photonic applications in the terahertz and microwave regions are also introduced. These next‐generation metal gaps will have a great impact on the advancement of field enhancement and confinement toward the next level of applications such as metamaterials, quantum tunneling, active switching devices, and ultrasensitive chemical/biological sensors.
Recent Advances in Optoelectronic Devices Based on 2D Materials and Their Heterostructures
Authors: Cheng Jinbing , Wang Chunlan , Zou Xuming , Liao Lei
Published: August 2018

2D materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and black phosphorus, have become the most potential semiconductor materials in the field of optoelectronic devices due to their extraordinary properties. Owing to the layer‐dependent and appropriately sized bandgaps, photodetectors based on various 2D materials are designed and manufactured rationally. Utilizing the unique properties of 2D materials, many surprising physical phenomena of junctions based on 2D materials can be obtained after different 2D materials are stacked together. This makes heterojunctions more popular than 2D materials themselves, and the design of 2D materials for human beings is easier than ever. In this review, recent progress in optoelectronic applications based on 2D materials and their heterojunctions is summarized and discussed.