bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La práctica forense en la utilización de los motivos de revisión y sus revelaciones
Authors: Rizo Pereira Michelle Matilde
Published: April 2013

En esta investigación se analizan los fallos de la Sala de lo Penal de la Corte Suprema de Justicia a la luz de la práctica forense en la utilización de los motivos de la acción de revisión. Este estudio refleja los aciertos y desaciertos de la técnica jurídica utilizada por los litigantes en el cumplimiento de las exigencias, presupuestos y limitaciones que exige La acción de revisión. Es por ello, que surge la necesidad de incentivar el estudio de manera integral en los estudiantes de la carrera de derecho, abogados litigantes y operadores del sistema de justicia penal. El presente texto procura reforzar lo establecido en el Código Procesal Penal, de los Procedimientos Especiales, contenidos en el Titulo IV, Capítulo III, de la revisión de sentencia. No pretende renovar instituciones o pensamientos, sino aportar reflexiones a la práctica forense para mejorar, cumplir y satisfacer la finalidad de la acción de revisión como es favorecer o mejorar la condición del sujeto injustamente condenado, que por su naturaleza y características de la institución, las Salas Penales competentes no pueden oficiosamente accionar a favor del condenado, sin perjuicio de conocer y resolver sobre aspectos constitucionales o violación de derechos y garantías del condenado. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/derecho.v0i14.1017 Revista de Derecho No.14 2010 pp.11-38
La administración de los derechos de autor y derechos conexos por las sociedades de gestión en Nicaragua
Authors: Martínez Guevara María Mercedes
Published: April 2013

Este trabajo aborda el tema de la formación y funcionamiento de las sociedades de gestión colectiva de derechos de autor y derechos conexos, a partir de la necesidad de los autores de velar por el respeto y protección de sus derechos patrimoniales como autores de obras artísticas o, como intérpretes o ejecutantes de las mismas, según sea el caso. Se plantea la forma de organización de estas sociedades, sus características y el papel que juega el Estado para garantizar el cumplimiento de los objetivos de las mismas, así como la capacidad que les otorga el ordenamiento jurídico para hacer efectivo el ejercicio de las acciones pertinentes, a fin de obtener la recaudación de las ganancias obtenidas por los usuarios derivados de la utilización de los bienes pertenecientes a los autores. Nuestra legislación asume en la Ley número 312, Ley de Derecho de Autor y Derechos Conexos, y en su Reglamento, la figura de la sociedad de gestión, regula su funcionamiento y le otorga facultades para ejercer los derechos de los autores, bajo la tutela del Estado; sin embargo, la actividad de estas entidades ha tenido dificultades en nuestra nación y en otros países, por el rechazo manifiesto de la sociedad bajo el argumento de que se pretende coartar el derecho individual al uso y disfrute de las creaciones artísticas y culturales. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/derecho.v0i14.1018 Revista de Derecho No.14 2010 pp.39-112
Una mirada a las sociedades unipersonales en pos de su admisibilidad en el ordenamiento jurídico nacional
Authors: Urbina Sotomayor Fabiola
Published: April 2013

Cuando se estudian las sociedades capitalistas, una de las figuras que destaca – por su importancia práctica y por su riqueza dogmática- es la figura de la sociedad unipersonal. En la realidad jurídica de Nicaragua, la sola mención de la figura aún es un término ajeno, a pesar de que Nicaragua, en su Código de Comercio (art.270) reconoce la unipersonalidad sobrevenida, de forma claudicante o meramente transitoria, impidiendo la originaria a la manera que hicieron los códigos de su tiempo y anteriores a él. En razón lo antes expuesto es que me he planteado abordar el estudio de este tema a fin de valorar la posible inclusión, amplia, plena, de las sociedades unipersonales -originarias y sobrevenidas- en nuestra legislación. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/derecho.v0i14.1019 Revista de Derecho No.14 2010 pp.113-150
Potestad Sancionadora de la Administración Tributaria
Authors: Alvarado Brenes Gabriel Martín
Published: April 2013

A lo largo de la investigación que se enuncia la atribución conferida al Estado en el ejercicio tributario, refiriéndonos al poder punitivo que ostenta éste frente a las violaciones que realicen los sujetos pasivos a la legislación tributaria. En esta misma línea, pretendo exponer algunas deficiencias jurídicas que presenta la normativa fiscal, al delegar facultades de carácter legislativo a la Administración Tributaria, para complementar deficiencias jurídicas existentes en la norma tributaria con el fin de lograr el cumplimiento por parte de los contribuyentes de las obligaciones tributarias. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/derecho.v0i14.1020 Revista de Derecho No.14 2010 pp.151-189
Una mirada a la institución de la quiebra en Nicaragua
Authors: Ramírez Aragón Luis Eduardo
Published: April 2013

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo ofrecer un panorama sobre el estado de la quiebra en Nicaragua, y reflejar la problemática jurídico-procedimental de la misma, desde la visión del Derecho comparado, para dejar al descubierto la postura liquidacionista de esta figura en nuestro ordenamiento jurídico; además de los efectos colaterales que ésta provee al interés público económico del país. Asimismo, reflejar como la actual regulación de esta figura lesiona los derechos del deudor hasta el punto de trastocar sus derechos fundamentales, en pos siempre de otorgar enormes beneficios al acreedor. Debido a esta inquisitiva y arcaica regulación de la figura, en el que además existe una dispersión normativa extensa, es que considero necesaria una pronta modernización no sólo de la figura de la quiebra; sino también de toda la disciplina concursal en nuestro Derecho interno, determinando aciertos y limitantes, para finalmente asumir posiciones propositivas que abonen al perfeccionamiento del ordenamiento jurídico patrio. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/derecho.v0i14.1021 Revista de Derecho No.14 2010 pp.191-225
El control de las empresas de seguros privados en la legislación nicaragüense. La protección del consumidor
Authors: Marenco Corea Elsy
Published: April 2013

El tema que se desarrolla a continuación plantea la necesidad de fortalecer el marco legal existente en cuanto al control que ejerce el Estado en la actividad aseguradora en el país. Se presentan de forma general los principios básicos de seguros, lineamientos aplicados en toda Latinoamérica para la armonización y actualización del sistema de supervisión. Los ejes fundamentales sobre los que gira la supervisión de las empresas aseguradoras privadas en el país y se plantea la necesidad que existe en adoptar y modernizar el régimen jurídico de supervisión y regulación de las empresas aseguradoras, de cara a mejorar los mecanismos existentes para la protección al asegurado, sobre todo en el área de reclamos por pago de las indemnizaciones. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/derecho.v0i14.1022 Revista de Derecho No.14 2010 pp.227-278
A Tryst with Reality: Child Labor in the Heart of India, New Delhi
Authors: Singh Rewa
Published: April 2013

“Why do we have to pay the price of poverty? We didn’t create poverty, adults did.” This might be the sentiment of every child who is forced to work at an age when he or she deserves to go to school unlike the fellow kids who are born in a family that can afford to give them a decent childhood. Child Labor is the single most damaging impediment on the road to achieving the goal of development and the purpose of this paper is to show the obstacles that this social evil poses in the path to development. The study used Exploratory, rather unstructured research design and instruments such as case studies and life histories. The study indicates that the government of India has taken some strict measures to eradicate this evil such as the passing of the Right to Education Bill, illegalization of employment of children under the age of 14 years, schemes like “Sarva Siksha Abhiyan” (Education for all campaign), free afternoon meal and so on. But on the ground level their implementation is shoddy due to (as bureaucrats would put it) practical problems. The problem is of course, in the system but it has more to do with the mindsets of the people too. There are people who speak against child labor in India and back at their own house or office, many of them will have at least one child working for them. People need to realize that what a waste of talent and a major obstacle to a country’s development, Child Labor is.   Keywords - Children. Child labor India. Social evil. Illegal employment.
Higher Education and Human Capital Development in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: Nkang Iniobong Ekong
Published: April 2013

Higher Education in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria seems not to produce the required manpower for the industrial sector of the economy. This study therefore seeks to examine the relationship between higher education and human capital development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study consisted of human resource personnel of major oil companies and commercial banks in the region. This stood at 656. The sample of the study stood at 460, representing 70% of the population. The stratified random sampling technique was used in drawing the sample. Two null hypotheses were developed and tested at 0.05 level of significance, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis. A structured instrument, Higher Education and Human Capital Development (HEHCD), was developed for the study. The instrument comprised 3 sections and 15 items, five in each section. The results indicated no significant relationship between higher education and manpower requirements and productivity of industries in the Niger Delta region. It was concluded that higher education in the Niger Delta fails to meet the manpower requirements of industries in the region. Besides, it does not contribute significantly to industrial productivity in the region. It was recommended among other things that universities in the Niger Delta Region should collaborate with industries operating in the area for their manpower needs.   Keywords - Higher Education Management, Higher Education, Human Capital Development, Correlational Research Design, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria, Africa.
The Gong Culture of the Manobo of Southern Philippines: A Way Forward to Multi-Cultural Understanding
Authors: Tejero Helen Sumagang
Published: April 2013

How a scientific discovery of a gong culture that is still practiced to this day from the Manobo of Cotabato, Philippines was translated to mainstream society was the purpose of this study. This study utilized a translation continuum framework: 1) knowledge discovery; 2) process; 3) dissemination and 4) adoption. Fieldwork was done in the village of Manobo in Magpet Cotabato, Philippines. In the light of the findings on the gong culture, it can be concluded that the Manobo has contributed their music system, belief system and socio-cultural values to cultural education. Through cultural exchange, dialogues and interactions among researchers, musicians and users, it became part of an international music materials coproduction program of UNESCO, part of a theatre production, and part of the curriculum of the Department of Education and was taught in informal, formal and alternative learning systems. Dissemination of the gong culture was through performances, symposia, workshops and publications. The goal of adoption is long range and may take time, but the modest contribution of the gong culture is a way forward to multi-cultural understanding.   Keywords - Gong Culture, Cultural Education, Alternative learning system, Translational work, multi-cultural understanding
Hemispheric Dominance Vis-À-Vis English Language Performance Results and Creativity Levels among College Freshmen
Authors: Tendero Julieta B.
Published: April 2013

The English language is an instrument to acquire newknowledge in science, mathematics, humanities and social sciences since the world of knowledge in these areas is generally available in English. Hence, it is being maintained and continuously studied. This study investigated the relationship of students’ hemispheric dominance with English language performance and creativity levels in the context of 423 students randomly chosen from the freshmen population of the thirteen colleges at the Western Mindanao State University, Philippines. For this end, the study employed Descriptive - Correlation Method through which the respondents were asked to complete the six tests, namely: the Hemispheric Dominance Test, the Listening and Reading Comprehension Tests, the Speaking and Writing Skill Tests, and the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking – Figural Form B, Research Edition. Pearson r results revealed that correlation coefficients of -.0.13 between hemispheric dominance and language performance and 0.011 between the former and creativity were not significant at p< .05. This led to the conclusion that the respondents’ hemispheric dominance was not significantly related to their English language performance and their creativity level. Generally, the left-brained, the right-brained or the whole-brained students may be good or poor in the language and in the creativity tests. Keywords - Educational Psychology, hemispheric dominance, leftbrained, right-brained, whole-brained, English language performance, receptive skills, productive skills, creativity level, descriptive research, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Microbiological Analyses of Selected Street Food Sauce Sold in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Authors: Lubos Lesley Casas
Published: April 2013

The study determined the presence of Escherichia coli in sauces served in street-food stalls along Pabayo Street, Cagayan de Oro City. The sauce samples were collected randomly from five stalls. The collected samples were placed in sterile WHIRLPAK containers provided by F.A.S.T. laboratories and labeled with letters for source identification. Analysis of sauce samples revealed that stalls A and E were positive of Escherichia coli, while stalls B, C, and D were negative. As found, some street-food stalls serve sauces contaminated withdisease-causing bacteria. Keywords - Street Food, vendors, Escherichia coli, Pabayo street
Understanding the Experience of Female Adolescent Delinquents: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Mohamad Sh Marzetyadibahbt Al Sayed , Sumari Melati , Mahmud Zuria
Published: April 2013

The involvement of adolescents in delinquent behaviors in Malaysia is not a new phenomenon. Although many studies have been conducted to study this issue in the West, there has been little attention given to that in Malaysia. Adolescents’ perceptions, feelings, and beliefs need to be understood and given serious consideration. This qualitative phenomenological research is aimed to understand the life experiences of seven teenage girls who were involved in delinquent behaviors. Seven adolescents who were placed at one rehabilitation school in Malaysia participated in the study. Expressive art activities in group counseling were conducted to allow them sharing their life experience. Triangulation from a variety of sources, i.e., open ended interview, which consists of three series, observation, and analysis of documents were used to gather the data. Overall, the results indicated that family dynamics is a crucial element that contributes to delinquency problems. Several themes related to family dynamics that contribute to delinquent acts among adolescents are parents and siblings involve in crime, close relatives involve in crime, poverties and difficulties in life, lack of parental care, divorce, turmoil and domestic violence, polygamy, and family moral support. Implications of the findings for practitioners are also discussed.   Keywords - Sociology, qualitative phenomenological research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Voters’ Participation to the Election Activities on October 29, 2007 in the Selected Urban Communities in Ozamiz City, Philippines
Authors: Bocar Anna C. , Pasok Prudelen C. , Perez Noeme C. , Guangco Laura L.
Published: April 2013

The choice of the people for their representatives or leaders play a significant role for the development, progress and general welfare of people in a certain community. The selection of political leaders by people represents the very basis of democratic governance. Voting is a highly valued political activity. Political participation is an avenue for the people to have their representatives. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of interest of the electorate to participate in the election activities like to vote, attend political rallies of candidates to listen their platforms, plan to join groups working for orderly and clean elections, put up posters for politicians, actively campaign for a political candidate, watch the counting of votes as a private citizen, watchers for a political candidate, be the member of the Board of Election Inspectors. The descriptive - co relational method was utilized in this study. Our study indicates that there is no significant relationship between males’ and females’ level of participation to the election activities as determined by them.   Keywords - Social sciences, election, participation, descriptivecorrelational, Ozamiz City, Philippines
Responsiveness of Sorsogon State College School of Graduate Studies and its Graduates to Community Needs
Authors: Detera Tarcela F. , Ocbian Magdalena M. , Carranza Esperanza F.
Published: April 2013

The study primarily aims to determine the responsiveness of the Sorsogon State College School of Graduate Studies and its graduates to community needs. The respondents are 59 graduates for SY 2002 to 2007 and 29 employers. Data was taken using documentary analysis, survey questionnaire and unstructured interview. Statistical tools were frequency counts, percentage and mean. Results revealed that 44% of the respondents are employed at DepEd, 36% are with SUCs, 15% are with the LGUs while 5% are employed at private HEIs. Most have been promoted after earning a master’s degree. Findings also showed that the SGS are responsive to the various stakeholders in the community along the VMGO and curricular offerings. Along research, the graduates have limited researches, but these are very much congruent to the needs of the clients. Along professional development, the graduates performed their functions very satisfactorily. Moreover, they also respond to the community as speakers and members of various organizations and participate actively in various projects and activities.   Keywords – Social Sciences, community needs, documentary analysis, Sorsogon State College, Philippines
Skin: Immunological Defence Mechanisms
Authors: Shiu Jessica , Harberts Erin , Gaspari Anthony A , Nickoloff Brian J
Published: April 2013

Human skin is the largest organ of the body providing a protective coat to ensure that exogenous ‘noxious’ agents do not jeopardise the function of vital internal organ systems. Being situated at the interface between external and internal milieus, a number of remarkable structural and functional characteristics of skin have been delineated that contribute to its effectiveness at maintaining homoeostasis. For instance, skin is normally healthy despite the fact that it is regularly colonised by a variety of organisms. Antimicrobial peptides secreted by skin cells contribute to this homoeostatic maintenance of microorganisms by forming a shield against infectious agents. Several immune cell types are also resident in the skin and are ready to respond to a variety of stimuli. Balancing the multiple skin defensive mechanisms is important for achieving homoeostasis as disruption of any of these components contribute to the manifestation of skin diseases.

Key Concepts:

Normal skin consists of multiple cell types – some that form the different layers and others that function as sentinels of the immune system.

Skin is colonised by a variety of microorganisms under homoeostatic conditions.

Skin has multiple innate defence mechanisms that are disrupted during dermatological diseases.

Adaptive immunity in the skin is shaped by the response of different dendritic cells and T‐cells that are ready to respond to different stimuli.

AMPs are natural antibiotics that are present in the skin to prevent overgrowth of microorganisms.

Dysregulated production of AMPs is associated with a variety of dermatological diseases.
Plant Polyphenols
Authors: Quideau Stéphane
Published: April 2013

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites derived from the phenylpropanoid and polyketide biosynthetic pathways that feature more than one phenolic ring in their basic chemical structure. Interest in this wide family of structurally diverse natural products originally emerged from the exploitation of their capacity to interact with proteins in the conversion of animal skins into leather (tanning action). The inherent propensity of their phenolic functions to donate hydrogen atoms and/or electrons raised additional interest in their application as free radical scavengers (antioxidation). Such highly impacting physicochemical properties for compounds that are present in numerous plant‐derived foods and beverages continue to date to fuel multidisciplinary investigations on the role of polyphenols in plant biochemistry, physiology and ecology, and on their possible effects and applications in nutrition, food quality and preservation, food supplements, diseases prevention and curation, as well as in cosmetics and new materials.

Key Concepts:

All vegetable tannins are polyphenols, but plant polyphenols are not all capable of tanning actions.

The term ‘polyphenol’ should be restricted to define structures that display at least two phenolic rings, irrespective of the number of hydroxy groups they each bear.

Plant polyphenols can act either as protective antioxidants or toxic prooxidants, depending on their specific chemical structure and set of conditions under which they are used.

Pro‐oxidant plant polyphenols could be exploited in the development of DNA‐targeting chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Plant polyphenols are known to interact with proteins in a nonspecific manner, but some plant polyphenols can engage proteins via specific and intimate molecular recognition processes with high‐binding affinities.

The manner with which plant polyphenols interact (specifically or not) with proteins mutually depends on their physicochemical characteristics and those of their protein partners (i.e. chemical composition and structure, hydrophobic and hydrophilic characters, size, extended linear or packed globular shape, flexibility or rigidity).
Population Differentiation: Measures
Authors: Mona Stefano , Bertorelle Giorgio
Published: April 2013

The genetic divergence between populations or accumulated by a single population from an ancestral group can be quantified using different measures. None of them can be considered better than others in all respects. The type of marker(s) or gene(s) analysed, the temporal scale considered and the level of variation are differentially affecting the quality of an index, and standardisation for comparisons across groups of populations or species is important. Some commonly used measures of population differentiation are briefly discussed, and it is argued that these measures or related quantities can be used to estimate crucial evolutionary and demographic parameters such as divergence times and migration rates, and to identify genes affected by natural or artificial selection processes.

Key Concepts:

Several measures of population differentiation can be computed and their comparison may provide useful insights into the evolutionary history of populations.

F
st
and related indices are moment estimators that measure the degree of population differentiation.

F
st
computed from multi‐allelic markers usually under‐estimates population differentiation; some alternative indices do not show this behaviour.

Measures of differentiation can be used to define conservation units.

Differentiation measures can be used both to estimate demographic parameters and to detect genomic regions under selection.

The Lewontin–Krakauer and related tests are based on the idea that loci showing particularly high or low values of population differentiation have been shaped by selective processes.

Demographic parameters can be estimated from measures of population differentiation or using likelihood/Bayesian methods.
Stationary Allele Frequency Distributions
Authors: Rannala Bruce
Published: April 2013

Forces that determine the allele frequencies in natural populations include genetic drift, natural selection, migration and mutation. A balance of opposing forces can, in some cases, cause allele frequencies to approach a stationary distribution over time. The form of this distribution is not influenced by initial allele frequencies, but instead is determined by the relative magnitudes of different evolutionary forces. Statistical distributions are presented for the stationary allele frequencies under several simple population genetic models (including the k alleles symmetrical mutation model and the Wright island model of migration). In addition, the sampling distribution of allele counts under these models are described. The latter is useful when using genetic marker data to estimate population parameters. A population is at genetic equilibrium if evolutionary forces have persisted long enough for a population to have reached the stationary distribution, this is not often the case in nature.

Key Concepts:

If evolutionary forces such as natural selection, genetic drift and migration remain constant allele frequencies may reach to a stationary distribution.

Because evolutionary forces are often changing on a relatively short time‐scale the allele frequencies in many populations will not be at equilibrium.

Statistics based on parameters of stationary distributions may provide a useful summary of the genetic variation in populations that are not at equilibrium.

Simulation methods can be used to study allele frequency distributions for more complex models.

Modern approaches focus on nonstationary sampling distributions derived using the coalescent process model.
Molecular Genetics of Variability in Human Pain
Authors: Belfer Inna , Shnol Helen , Finelli Peter
Published: April 2013

Pain is considered to be an evolutionary‐conserved trait and is employed as a necessary means to survival. Although this trait is common in all humans, it shows great variability among individuals. The underlying mechanisms of pain perception are not fully understood. Functional single nucleotide polymorphism and other types of genetic polymorphisms increase or decrease gene function influencing the encoded product. These polymorphisms (alleles) used to analyse the genetic mechanisms of pain perception may account for up to 50% of the total variability in the human pain phenotype. Interestingly, certain genes (e.g.
COMT
and
OPRM1
) are reoccurring targets of interest for the variation they cause in experimental and clinical pain perception as well for their effects on analgesia and pain‐related psychosocial traits. Current and future genetic studies of human pain will reveal missing risk factors for painful disorders and will aid focussed clinical trials for improved and innovative pain management in patients at risk.

Key Concepts:

Variability is a common feature for all pain phenotypes in humans.

Genetics account for a big portion of overall variability in human pain.

Different pain phenotypes have overlapping genetic background.

Both common and rare functional genetic polymorphisms contribute to human pain.

Candidate gene studies revealed only of a handful of genetic risk and protective factors for human pain.

Unbiased genome‐wide approaches will provide data on additional genetic factors influencing human pain.
Evolution of Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Danilova Nadia
Published: April 2013

Historically, two components of immunity were identified, innate and adaptive. Innate receptors recognise molecular patterns common for groups of pathogens or for common pathological changes in host cells. All animals are protected by innate immunity. In addition, in vertebrates, adaptive immunity evolved that is based on the limitless somatic diversification of lymphoid receptors and selective expansion of those receptors that match the antigen/pathogen. Moreover, somatic hypermutation of antibodies combined with antigen selection allows fine‐tuning of an antibody sequence to match the antigen.

The repertoire of adaptive immune receptors in each individual differs in dependence on its life history and provides a basis for a strong memory response. Adaptive immune systems in jaw and jawless vertebrates are built on completely different receptors; immunoglobulin superfamily in jaw vertebrates and molecules with leucine‐rich repeats in jawless vertebrates. However, they are strikingly similar functionally pointing to similar evolutionary forces shaping these systems.

Key Concepts:

Both adaptive and innate strategies are used in organisms from bacteria to humans.

Innate mechanisms provide basic protection based on evolutionary conserved features of pathogens whereas adaptive mechanisms provide immunity that is shaped by the life history of every individual.

Adaptive immunity of jaw and jawless vertebrates is based on different receptors but functionally similar pointing to the same evolutionary driving forces.

Combination of adaptive and innate mechanisms is necessary to provide the most comprehensive immune protection.

Genome duplications played a crucial role in the origin of the adaptive immune system.

Adaptive immune system coevolve with innate immune mechanisms.
Evolution of the Metazoan Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Adams Josephine C
Published: April 2013

The metazoan extracellular matrix (ECM), an extracellular system of insoluble networks, sheets and fibrils of proteinaceous material, is a central mediator of multicellularity that is required for developmental processes, tissue organisation, homoeostasis and control of cell phenotypes throughout life. Comparative genomics enables the repertoire of ECM components encoded by species from different phyla to be examined systematically. These studies have identified a core ECM adhesome that arose apparently on the metazoan stem lineage through gene and domain innovations and domain shuffling. In vertebrates, additional complexity of ECM structure and function has arisen through expansion of gene families, splice variants and the inception of novel ECM components including fibril‐associated collagen with interrupted triple helices collagens, fibronectin, hyaluronan, tenascins and secreted proteoglycans of bone and cartilage. Protostome phyla also include many lineage‐specific ECM innovations and diversifications that function in prey‐capture mechanisms, the assembly of protective exterior structures, and internal organs.

Key Concepts:

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an insoluble network of collagens, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans.

Different morphological forms of ECM are apparent in early diverging and bilaterian animals.

Comparative genomics has identified a conserved core ECM adhesome, that includes integrin adhesion receptors, matrix proteases and the central ECM components of connective ECM and basement membranes.

The ECM components of this core adhesome are specific to the metazoa.

It is likely that the ECM components of the core adhesome were important for evolution of multi‐cellularity in the metazoa.

Additional ECM diversity has arisen in vertebrates through large‐scale genome duplication events, domain innovations, and novel ECM components.

Lineage‐specific ECM diversity is also apparent in invertebrates; in cuticles, shells and specialised structures as well as internal organs.

Overall, the metazoan ECM shows extensive adaptive radiation as well as great conservation of the core ECM components.
GIS analysis reveals the high diversity and conservation value of mollusc assemblages in the floodplain wetlands of the lower Bug River (East Poland)
Authors: Jurkiewicz‐Karnkowska Ewa , Karnkowski Paweł
Published: April 2013

The distribution and species richness of aquatic molluscs were analysed within a 186‐km‐long section of a large (755‐km‐long) lowland river floodplain using GIS maps. Special attention was paid to threatened species.

An attempt was made to identify local ‘hotspots’ of molluscan diversity and to determine the most important areas for conservation based on species richness, number of threatened species and indices of synthetic conservation (Q) and centres of population density (ICD).

Over four years of investigation, carried out in 176 water bodies, a rich malacofauna was identified: 58 species including 20 of elevated conservation concern.

GIS maps revealed numerous ‘hotspots’ of mollusc species richness and higher incidence of threatened species, as well as areas characterized by raised Q and ICD indices.

Water body size and hydrological connectivity positively influenced species richness and Q values. The highest values of these variables were found in large water bodies having limited surficial connectivity with the river channel.

Species richness, numbers of threatened species, and Q and ICD values were significantly higher in younger permanent water bodies compared with semi‐permanent or temporary ones representing advanced successional stages.

Spatial visualization data collected in the study area indicate that the most valuable sites for the conservation of aquatic molluscs include both sides of the river in the lower part of the middle stretch of the lower Bug River valley.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A plant‐based index of biological integrity in permanent marsh wetlands yields consistent scores in dry and wet years
Authors: Wilson Matthew J. , Bayley Suzanne E. , Rooney Rebecca C.
Published: April 2013

Plant‐based assessments can contribute to wetland conservation and management by providing a standardized method to monitor biological communities in relation to human activity. One major challenge, however, is that their measurements must be fairly insensitive to temporal variation in community composition, which can be difficult since marsh plant communities are known to be influenced by natural climatic cycles.

Variation in the scores for an index of biological integrity (IBI) was evaluated in relation to plant community changes that occurred between years with differing precipitation inputs throughout the growing season (dry: 240 mm in 2008, 198 mm in 2009; wet: 324 mm in 2010, 329 mm in 2011). Species composition and IBI scores were measured by sampling macrophytes in the centre of the wet meadow zone at 47 semi‐permanent to permanent natural and constructed marshes.

Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordinations revealed that although plant community composition shifted between dry and wet years, IBI scores were sensitive to only 21% of the total inter‐annual variation in species composition. The first NMS axis was positively correlated with IBI scores (r = 0.85) as well as several environmental parameters (r2 > 0.2), including dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen, potassium, shoreline slope, and salinity.

The wet meadow IBI also yielded consistent scores between dry and wet years (Spearman's rho = 0.82; Wilcoxon z‐score = 0.53, P‐value = 0.60) and was able to distinguish a change in biological condition among sites against a backdrop of natural variation (F‐test = 3.0, P < 0.001).

These findings provide support for the continued use of plants as indicators of wetland condition in permanent northern prairie marshes, providing that the range in water levels is moderate.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the accuracy of the h‐ and g‐indexes for measuring researchers' productivity
Authors: Abramo Giovanni , D'Angelo Ciriaco Andrea , Viel Fulvio
Published: April 2013

Bibliometric indicators are increasingly used in support of decisions about recruitment, career advancement, rewards, and selective funding for scientists. Given the importance of the applications, bibliometricians are obligated to carry out empirical testing of the robustness of the indicators, in simulations of real contexts. In this work, we compare the results of national‐scale research assessments at the individual level, based on the following three different indexes: the h‐index, the g‐index, and “fractional scientific strength” (FSS), an indicator previously proposed by the authors. For each index, we construct and compare rankings lists of all Italian academic researchers working in the hard sciences during the period 2001–2005. The analysis quantifies the shifts in ranks that occur when researchers' productivity rankings by simple indicators such as the h‐ or g‐indexes are compared with those by more accurate FSS.
The many faces of article‐level metrics
Authors: Lin Jennifer , Fenner Martin
Published: April 2013

Editor's Summary

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On‐Chip Catalytic Microreactors for Modern Catalysis Research
Authors: Xu Bin‐Bin , Zhang Yong‐Lai , Wei Shu , Ding Hong , Sun Hong‐Bo
Published: April 2013

Over the past two decades, microfluidics, represented by lab‐on‐a‐chip (LoC) systems, have been developed because of their unique advantages of low reactant consumption, environmental friendliness, high safety, high efficiency, high sensitivity, portability, and easy handling of reactants. The distinguishing features of microfluidics have made the on‐chip reactor a highly efficient platform for general chemical experiments, especially catalysis. In this paper, through a brief review of the recent work on microfluidic catalysis, we highlight the importance of on‐chip catalytic microreactors. New approaches to the fabrication of on‐chip catalytic microreactors and their integration with multifunctional components are briefly introduced. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of this up‐and‐coming field are discussed based on our own opinions. It is believed that, with the progress of interdisciplinary cooperation, microfluidics and catalysis could be complementary sciences; catalysts may play a very important role in LoC systems, and on‐chip catalytic microreactors could be a highly efficient experimental platform for modern catalysis research.
Synthesis of [m.n]Cyclophanes: Regiochemistry Transfer from Vinyl Halides to Cyclophanes via Fischer Carbene Complexes
Authors: Wang Huan , Predeus Alexander V. , Wulff William D.
Published: April 2013

The double benzannulation of bis‐carbene complexes of chromium with α,ω‐diynes generates [m.n]cyclophanes in which all three rings are generated in a single reaction. This triple annulation process is very flexible allowing for the construction of symmetrical [n.n]cyclophanes and unsymmetrical [m.n]cyclophanes as well as isomers in which the two benzene rings are both meta bridged or both para bridged, and isomers that contain both meta and para bridges. The connectivity patterns of the bridges in the cyclophanes can be controlled by regioselectivity transfer from the bis‐vinyl carbene complexes in which the substitution pattern of the vinyl groups in the carbene complexes dictate the connectivity pattern in the [m.n]cyclophanes. This synthesis of [n.n]cyclophanes is quite flexible with regard to ring size and can be used with tether lengths ranging from n=2 to n=16 and thus to ring sizes with up to 40 member rings. The only limitation to regioselectivity transfer from the carbene complexes to the [m.n]cyclophanes was found in the synthesis of para,para‐cyclophanes with four carbon tethers for which the loss of fidelity occurred with the unexpected formation of meta,para‐cyclophanes.
Chromaticity‐matched but spectrally different light source effects on simple and complex color judgments
Authors: Veitch Jennifer A. , Whitehead Lorne A. , Mossman Michele , Pilditch Toby D.
Published: April 2013

As light‐emitting diode (LED) light sources mature, lighting designers will be able to deliver white light with a variety of spectral power distributions and a variety of color rendering properties. This experiment examined the effects of three spectral power distributions (SPDs) that were matched in illuminance and chromaticity on three measures of color perception: one objective (performance on the Farnsworth‐Munsell 100 hue test) and two subjective (judgments of the attractiveness of one's own skin, and preferences for the saturation of printed images). The three SPDs were a quartz‐halogen (QH) lamp and two LED sources that were matched to the QH lamp in terms of both illuminance and chromaticity; the three light sources were nominally CCT = 3500 K, x = 0.40, y = 0.39 and ∼ 400 lx. LED A used three channels (red, green, blue), and had very poor color rendering (Ra = 18). LED B used four channels (red, amber, cyan, white) and had very good color rendering (Ra = 96, whereas the QH had Ra = 98). Secondary hypotheses addressed the effects of age and skin and eye color on the dependent measures. As expected, LED A delivered very different color perceptions on all measures when compared to QH; LED B did not differ from QH. The results show that it is possible for LED sources to match the familiar incandescent sources. However, although it is possible to deliver what appear to be millions of colors with a three‐chip (RGB) device, there is the risk of creating a very poor luminous environment. © 2013 National Research Council Canada and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 39, 263–274, 2014; Published Online 12 April 2013 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/col.21811
Chromatic losses in natural scenes with viewing distance
Authors: Luzón‐González Raúl , Nascimento Sérgio M. C. , Masuda Osamu , Romero Javier
Published: April 2013

Scattering and absorption in the atmosphere influence the colors of objects and can dramatically affect the way a landscape is perceived. We estimated, computationally, the chromatic losses in natural scenes as a function of the viewing distance for several atmospheric conditions. The study was based on models of real atmospheric scattering and absorption applied to hyperspectral data from natural images. It was found that exponential models could describe well the reduction in the number of perceived colors as a function of the viewing distance and the relationship between the coefficient reflecting the sum of the scattering and absorption effects and the viewing distance for a 50% reduction in colors. These results provide simple models to estimate the chromatic losses with viewing distance and can be used in applications of atmospheric optics concerned with visual simulations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 39, 341–346, 2014
Wired Enzyme Electrodes—A Retroperspective Story about an Exciting Time at University of Texas at Austin and Its Impact on My Scientific Career
Authors: Lindquist Sten‐Eric
Published: April 2013

The present paper features an exciting time in the late 1980s when I, as a visiting scientist, had the privilege to participate in the early and very exciting development of the in vivo redox‐polymer‐wired glucose sensor in Professor Adam Heller’s laboratory at the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Texas at Austin. This story is followed by an overview of the research my visit initiated at Uppsala University. In collaboration with Swedish colleagues, we explored a few of the many possibilities to form new biosensors by utilizing Prof. Heller’s concept of cross‐linked redox‐polymer/redox‐enzyme electrodes.
Pulmonary Gas Exchange and Acid‐Base Balance During Exercise
Authors: Stickland Michael K. , Lindinger Michael I. , Olfert I. Mark , Heigenhauser George J. F. , Hopkins Susan R.
Published: April 2013

As the first step in the oxygen‐transport chain, the lung has a critical task: optimizing the exchange of respiratory gases to maintain delivery of oxygen and the elimination of carbon dioxide. In healthy subjects, gas exchange, as evaluated by the alveolar‐to‐arterialPO2difference (A‐aDO2), worsens with incremental exercise, and typically reaches anA‐aDO2of approximately 25 mmHg at peak exercise. While there is great individual variability,A‐aDO2is generally largest at peak exercise in subjects with the highest peak oxygen consumption. Inert gas data has shown that the increase inA‐aDO2is explained by decreased ventilation‐perfusion matching, and the development of a diffusion limitation for oxygen. Gas exchange data does not indicate the presence of right‐to‐left intrapulmonary shunt developing with exercise, despite recent data suggesting that large‐diameter arteriovenous shunt vessels may be recruited with exercise. At the same time, multisystem mechanisms regulate systemic acid‐base balance in integrative processes that involve gas exchange between tissues and the environment and simultaneous net changes in the concentrations of strong and weak ions within, and transfer between, extracellular and intracellular fluids. The physicochemical approach to acid‐base balance is used to understand the contributions from independent acid‐base variables to measured acid‐base disturbances within contracting skeletal muscle, erythrocytes and noncontracting tissues. In muscle, the magnitude of the disturbance is proportional to the concentrations of dissociated weak acids, the rate at which acid equivalents (strong acid) accumulate and the rate at which strong base cations are added to or removed from muscle. © 2013 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol3:693‐739, 2013.
Circadian Rhythms in Liver Physiology and Liver Diseases
Authors: Tong Xin , Yin Lei
Published: April 2013

In mammals, circadian rhythms function to coordinate a diverse panel of physiological processes with environmental conditions such as food and light. As the driving force for circadian rhythmicity, the molecular clock is a self‐sustained transcription‐translational feedback loop system consisting of transcription factors, epigenetic modulators, kinases/phosphatases, and ubiquitin E3 ligases. The molecular clock exists not only in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus but also in the peripheral tissues to regulate cellular and physiological function in a tissue‐specific manner. The circadian clock system in the liver plays important roles in regulating metabolism and energy homeostasis. Clock gene mutant animals display impaired glucose and lipid metabolism and are susceptible to diet‐induced obesity and metabolic dysfunction, providing strong evidence for the connection between the circadian clock and metabolic homeostasis. Circadian‐controlled hepatic metabolism is partially achieved by controlling the expression and/or activity of key metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, signaling molecules, and transporters. Reciprocally, intracellular metabolites modulate the molecular clock activity in response to the energy status. Although still at the early stage, circadian clock dysfunction has been implicated in common chronic liver diseases. Circadian dysregulation of lipid metabolism, detoxification, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cell‐cycle control might contribute to the onset and progression of liver steatosis, fibrosis, and even carcinogenesis. In summary, these findings call for a comprehensive study of the function and mechanisms of hepatic circadian clock to gain better understanding of liver physiology and diseases. © 2013 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol3:917‐940, 2013.