bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed
Authors: Pérez María , Falqué Elena , Domínguez Herminia
Published: March 2016

Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent an attractive source of potential compounds useful for unconventional drugs able to control new diseases or multiresistant strains of pathogenic microorganisms. The substances isolated from green, brown and red algae showing potent antimicrobial activity belong to polysaccharides, fatty acids, phlorotannins, pigments, lectins, alkaloids, terpenoids and halogenated compounds. This review presents the major compounds found in macroalga showing antimicrobial activities and their most promising applications.
Isolation, Purification and Quantification of Ginsenoside F5 and F3 Isomeric Compounds from Crude Extracts of Flower Buds of Panax ginseng
Authors: Li Ke-Ke , Xu Fei , Gong Xiao-Jie
Published: March 2016

In this paper, the isolation, purification and quantification of ginsenoside F5 and F3 isomeric compounds from crude extracts of flower buds of Panax ginseng (CEFBPG) was investigated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for the first time. The satisfied separation at analytical scale was achieved using a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C-18 column with a ternary mobile phase of acetonitrile–water–phosphoric acid (28:71:1) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min within 40 min. UV detection was set at 203 nm. Ginsenoside F5 and F3 was 4.21 mg and 5.13 mg in 1 g flower buds of P. ginseng (FBPG), respectively. The preparation of ginsenoside F5 and F3 at semi-preparative scale was performed by using a Daisogel C-18 column and gradient elution system of acetonitrile–water (32:68 → 28:72) at a flow rate of 10 mL/min with a sample load of 20–30 mg, and yielded ginsenosides in purity of more than 96%. Their structures were characterized by NMR and high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). All the method validations showed acceptable limits. The results indicate a new source to obtain ginsenoside F5 and F3, and show that the method developed here appears to be reliable for simultaneously preparing them from CEFBPG.
Porphyrin Macrocycle Modification: Pyrrole Ring-Contracted or -Expanded Porphyrinoids
Authors: Costa Letícia , Costa Joana , Tomé Augusto
Published: March 2016

In recent years, several synthetic strategies aiming at the peripheral functionalization of porphyrins were developed. Particularly interesting are those involving the modification of β-pyrrolic positions leading to pyrrole-modified porphyrins containing four-, five-, six- or seven-membered heterocycles. Azeteoporphyrins, porpholactones and morpholinoporphyrins are representative examples of such porphyrinoids. These porphyrin derivatives have recently gained an increasing interest due to their potential application in PDT, as multimodal imaging contrast agents, NIR-absorbing dyes, optical sensors for oxygen, cyanide, hypochlorite and pH, and in catalysis.
Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry: A Sensitive Method for the Determination of Dehydrodiisoeugenol in Rat Cerebral Nuclei
Authors: Zhang You-Bo , Yang Xin-Bao , Yang Xiu-Wei , Xu Wei , Li Fei , Gonzezal Frank
Published: March 2016

A new liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method is developed for the quantification of dehydrodiisoeugenol (DDIE) in rat cerebral nuclei after single intravenous administration. DDIE and daidzein (internal standard) were separated on a Diamonsil™ ODS C18 column with methanol–water containing 0.1% formic acid (81:19, v/v) as a mobile phase. Detection of DDIE was performed on a positive electrospray ionization source using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. DDIE and daidzein were monitored at m/z 327.2→188.0 and m/z 255.0→199.2, respectively, in multiple reaction monitoring mode. This method enabled quantification of DDIE in various brain areas, including, cortex, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus, cerebellum and brainstem, with high specificity, precision, accuracy, and recovery. The data herein demonstrate that our new LC-MS/MS method is highly sensitive and suitable for monitoring cerebral nuclei distribution of DDIE.
Copper Nanowires and Their Applications for Flexible, Transparent Conducting Films: A Review
Authors: Nam Vu , Lee Daeho
Published: March 2016

Cu nanowires (NWs) are attracting considerable attention as alternatives to Ag NWs for next-generation transparent conductors, replacing indium tin oxide (ITO) and micro metal grids. Cu NWs hold great promise for low-cost fabrication via a solution-processed route and show preponderant optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. In this study, we report a summary of recent advances in research on Cu NWs, covering the optoelectronic properties, synthesis routes, deposition methods to fabricate flexible transparent conducting films, and their potential applications. This review also examines the approaches on protecting Cu NWs from oxidation in air environments.
Clinical Evaluation of Effects of Chronic Resveratrol Supplementation on Cerebrovascular Function, Cognition, Mood, Physical Function and General Well-Being in Postmenopausal Women—Rationale and Study Design
Authors: Evans Hamish , Howe Peter , Wong Rachel
Published: March 2016

Background: This methodological paper presents both a scientific rationale and a methodological approach for investigating the effects of resveratrol supplementation on mood and cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, which may be at least partly due to loss of beneficial effects of estrogen on the cerebrovasculature. We hypothesise that resveratrol, a phytoestrogen, may counteract this risk by enhancing cerebrovascular function and improving regional blood flow in response to cognitive demands. A clinical trial was designed to test this hypothesis. Method: Healthy postmenopausal women were recruited to participate in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (parallel comparison) dietary intervention trial to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation (75 mg twice daily) on cognition, cerebrovascular responsiveness to cognitive tasks and overall well-being. They performed the following tests at baseline and after 14 weeks of supplementation: Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Cambridge Semantic Memory Battery, the Double Span and the Trail Making Task. Cerebrovascular function was assessed simultaneously by monitoring blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Conclusion: This trial provides a model approach to demonstrate that, by optimising circulatory function in the brain, resveratrol and other vasoactive nutrients may enhance mood and cognition and ameliorate the risk of developing dementia in postmenopausal women and other at-risk populations.
Associations of Leaf Spectra with Genetic and Phylogenetic Variation in Oaks: Prospects for Remote Detection of Biodiversity
Authors: Cavender-Bares Jeannine , Meireles Jose , Couture John , Kaproth Matthew , Kingdon Clayton , Singh Aditya , Serbin Shawn , Center Alyson , Zuniga Esau , Pilz George , Townsend Philip
Published: March 2016

Species and phylogenetic lineages have evolved to differ in the way that they acquire and deploy resources, with consequences for their physiological, chemical and structural attributes, many of which can be detected using spectral reflectance form leaves. Recent technological advances for assessing optical properties of plants offer opportunities to detect functional traits of organisms and differentiate levels of biological organization across the tree of life. Here, we connect leaf-level full range spectral data (400–2400 nm) of leaves to the hierarchical organization of plant diversity within the oak genus (Quercus) using field and greenhouse experiments in which environmental factors and plant age are controlled. We show that spectral data significantly differentiate populations within a species and that spectral similarity is significantly associated with phylogenetic similarity among species. We further show that hyperspectral information allows more accurate classification of taxa than spectrally-derived traits, which by definition are of lower dimensionality. Finally, model accuracy increases at higher levels in the hierarchical organization of plant diversity, such that we are able to better distinguish clades than species or populations. This pattern supports an evolutionary explanation for the degree of optical differentiation among plants and demonstrates potential for remote detection of genetic and phylogenetic diversity.
Performance Analysis of Motion-Sensor Behavior for User Authentication on Smartphones
Authors: Shen Chao , Yu Tianwen , Yuan Sheng , Li Yunpeng , Guan Xiaohong
Published: March 2016

The growing trend of using smartphones as personal computing platforms to access and store private information has stressed the demand for secure and usable authentication mechanisms. This paper investigates the feasibility and applicability of using motion-sensor behavior data for user authentication on smartphones. For each sample of the passcode, sensory data from motion sensors are analyzed to extract descriptive and intensive features for accurate and fine-grained characterization of users’ passcode-input actions. One-class learning methods are applied to the feature space for performing user authentication. Analyses are conducted using data from 48 participants with 129,621 passcode samples across various operational scenarios and different types of smartphones. Extensive experiments are included to examine the efficacy of the proposed approach, which achieves a false-rejection rate of 6.85% and a false-acceptance rate of 5.01%. Additional experiments on usability with respect to passcode length, sensitivity with respect to training sample size, scalability with respect to number of users, and flexibility with respect to screen size were provided to further explore the effectiveness and practicability. The results suggest that sensory data could provide useful authentication information, and this level of performance approaches sufficiency for two-factor authentication on smartphones. Our dataset is publicly available to facilitate future research.
The Design and Optimization of a Highly Sensitive and Overload-Resistant Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor
Authors: Meng Xiawei , Zhao Yulong
Published: March 2016

A piezoresistive pressure sensor with a beam-membrane-dual-island structure is developed for micro-pressure monitoring in the field of aviation, which requires great sensitivity and overload resistance capacity. The design, fabrication, and test of the sensor are presented in this paper. By analyzing the stress distribution of sensitive elements using the finite element method, a novel structure incorporating sensitive beams with a traditional bossed diaphragm is built up. The proposed structure proved to be advantageous in terms of high sensitivity and high overload resistance compared with the conventional bossed diaphragm and flat diaphragm structures. Curve fittings of surface stress and deflection based on ANSYS simulation results are performed to establish the sensor equations. Fabricated on an n-type single crystal silicon wafer, the sensor chips are wire-bonded to a printed circuit board (PCB) and packaged for experiments. The static and dynamic characteristics are tested and discussed. Experimental results show that the sensor has a sensitivity as high as 17.339 μV/V/Pa in the range of 500 Pa at room temperature, and a high overload resistance of 200 times overpressure. Due to the excellent performance, the sensor can be applied in measuring micro-pressure lower than 500 Pa.
Automatic Lumen Detection on Longitudinal Ultrasound B-Mode Images of the Carotid Using Phase Symmetry
Authors: Rouco José , Azevedo Elsa , Campilho Aurélio
Published: March 2016

This article describes a method that improves the performance of previous approaches for the automatic detection of the common carotid artery (CCA) lumen centerline on longitudinal B-mode ultrasound images. We propose to detect several lumen centerline candidates using local symmetry analysis based on local phase information of dark structures at an appropriate scale. These candidates are analyzed with selection mechanisms that use symmetry, contrast or intensity features in combination with position-based heuristics. Several experimental results are provided to evaluate the robustness and performance of the proposed method in comparison with previous approaches. These results lead to the conclusion that our proposal is robust to noise, lumen artifacts, contrast variations and that is able to deal with the presence of CCA-like structures, significantly improving the performance of our previous approach, from 87.5% ± 0.7% of correct detections to 98.3% ± 0.3% in a set of 200 images.
Laser Feedback Interferometry as a Tool for Analysis of Granular Materials at Terahertz Frequencies: Towards Imaging and Identification of Plastic Explosives
Authors: Han She , Bertling Karl , Dean Paul , Keeley James , Burnett Andrew , Lim Yah , Khanna Suraj , Valavanis Alexander , Linfield Edmund , Davies A. , Indjin Dragan , Taimre Thomas , Rakić Aleksandar
Published: March 2016

We propose a self-consistent method for the analysis of granular materials at terahertz (THz) frequencies using a quantum cascade laser. The method is designed for signals acquired from a laser feedback interferometer, and applied to non-contact reflection-mode sensing. Our technique is demonstrated using three plastic explosives, achieving good agreement with reference measurements obtained by THz time-domain spectroscopy in transmission geometry. The technique described in this study is readily scalable: replacing a single laser with a small laser array, with individual lasers operating at different frequencies will enable unambiguous identification of select materials. This paves the way towards non-contact, reflection-mode analysis and identification of granular materials at THz frequencies using quantum cascade lasers.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: CPAP Reservoir Bacterial Colonization Is Not Associated with Sinus Culture Positivity
Authors: Lipin Rosa , Deshpande Anita , Wise Sarah , DelGaudio John , Patel Zara
Published: March 2016

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both highly prevalent chronic diseases in the United States. Association between culture positivity of CPAP machines and sinus samples has not been studied in patients with both disease states. Our objective was to compare the microbes present in the sinus cavities and CPAP reservoirs of patients with both CRS and OSA. Patients from an academic tertiary care Rhinology practice were identified with both CRS and OSA and enrolled prospectively. Inclusion criteria included age over 18 years; diagnosis of OSA by sleep study; regular CPAP use; and an active diagnosis of CRS. Exclusion criteria included treatment with antibiotics or cleaning of the CPAP reservoir in the month prior. Cultures were taken from participants’ sinus cavities and CPAP reservoirs and resulting microbial growth was compared. The most common organisms on CPAP culture were Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumanii, whereas the most common on sinus culture were Staphyloccoccus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbial growth from the sinus cavities and the CPAP reservoirs were not concordant in any of our patients. There is no association between bacterial colonization of the CPAP reservoir and the sinus cavities of those with CRS and OSA based on microbiologic cultures.
Weighing Efficiency-Robustness in Supply Chain Disruption by Multi-Objective Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Shu Tong , Gao Xiaoqin , Chen Shou , Wang Shouyang , Lai Kin , Gan Lu
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates various supply chain disruptions in terms of scenario planning, including node disruption and chain disruption; namely, disruptions in distribution centers and disruptions between manufacturing centers and distribution centers. Meanwhile, it also focuses on the simultaneous disruption on one node or a number of nodes, simultaneous disruption in one chain or a number of chains and the corresponding mathematical models and exemplification in relation to numerous manufacturing centers and diverse products. Robustness of the design of the supply chain network is examined by weighing efficiency against robustness during supply chain disruptions. Efficiency is represented by operating cost; robustness is indicated by the expected disruption cost and the weighing issue is calculated by the multi-objective firefly algorithm for consistency in the results. It has been shown that the total cost achieved by the optimal target function is lower than that at the most effective time of supply chains. In other words, the decrease of expected disruption cost by improving robustness in supply chains is greater than the increase of operating cost by reducing efficiency, thus leading to cost advantage. Consequently, by approximating the Pareto Front Chart of weighing between efficiency and robustness, enterprises can choose appropriate efficiency and robustness for their longer-term development.
Molecular Mechanisms of HTLV-1 Cell-to-Cell Transmission
Authors: Gross Christine , Thoma-Kress Andrea
Published: March 2016

The tumorvirus human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a member of the delta-retrovirus family, is transmitted via cell-containing body fluids such as blood products, semen, and breast milk. In vivo, HTLV-1 preferentially infects CD4+ T-cells, and to a lesser extent, CD8+ T-cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes. Efficient infection of CD4+ T-cells requires cell-cell contacts while cell-free virus transmission is inefficient. Two types of cell-cell contacts have been described to be critical for HTLV-1 transmission, tight junctions and cellular conduits. Further, two non-exclusive mechanisms of virus transmission at cell-cell contacts have been proposed: (1) polarized budding of HTLV-1 into synaptic clefts; and (2) cell surface transfer of viral biofilms at virological synapses. In contrast to CD4+ T-cells, dendritic cells can be infected cell-free and, to a greater extent, via viral biofilms in vitro. Cell-to-cell transmission of HTLV-1 requires a coordinated action of steps in the virus infectious cycle with events in the cell-cell adhesion process; therefore, virus propagation from cell-to-cell depends on specific interactions between cellular and viral proteins. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of HTLV-1 transmission with a focus on the HTLV-1-encoded proteins Tax and p8, their impact on host cell factors mediating cell-cell contacts, cytoskeletal remodeling, and thus, virus propagation.
Laura Esquivel : los caminos tortuosos de la representación de la realidad en Como aguapara chocolate y La ley del amor
Authors: Kanev Venko
Published: March 2016

Laura Esquivel, Como agua para chocolate y La ley del amor, sur les chemins tortueux de la représentation de la réalité. La romancière mexicaine Laura Esquivel donne un place privilégiée à la relation avec le réfèrent. Dans le premier roman, les péripéties de la vie des femmes d'une famille de l'oligarchie terrienne ont pour toile de fond l'époque de la révolution mexicaine et revêtent les charmes du réalisme magique, tempéré par la savoureuse réalité de recettes de cuisine. Dans le deuxième, la science-fiction, la musique traditionnelle et contemporaine mettent au goût du jour le roman d'amour, (avec illustration sonore : un CD est inclus dans l'achat du roman). La fatalité de l'amour est parodiée, le discours n'est plus sentimental mais burlesque, l'ambiguïté règne sur le sens de la passion dans un livre annoncé en bandeau de couverture comme « le premier roman multi-media de l'histoire ».
Modos de resistencia cultural : el teatro latino en Nueva York
Authors: Schiminovich Flora S.
Published: March 2016

Un mode de résistance culturelle : le théâtre latino à New York.

Les pièces de Dolores Prida et Migdalia Cruz présentent la lutte pour l'assimilation à une autre culture. Elle traitent de l'ambiguïté de l'identité hispanique aux Etats-Unis et de l'ambivalence de se trouver déraciné. Le processus de transculturation est encore fort vivant. Nord-Sud, Blanc-Noir-Latino : c'est à New York que se vit actuellement la rencontre la plus dynamique des races, langues et nationalités. Les immigrants hispano-américains de différents endroits et pays ont été partiellement intégrés dans le système et y laissent leur marque. Mais à leur tour, ils sont marqués par la culture et les valeurs dominantes, leur propre identité est presque toujours en question. L'idée du melting pot donne lieu à une ambivalence chez les individus qui en font partie. Ce sentiment de ne jamais entièrement appartenir, d'être déraciné, est représentée dans les pièces ici étudiées. Leurs personnages sont des New Yorkais ou des Latino-américains des Etats-Unis qui sont constamment confrontés à la supposition des non-hispaniques qu'ils sont étrangers. Ces personnages sont à un croisement de frontières culturelles, ils doivent reconstruire leur nouvelle subjectivité — un moi bilingue/biculturel constamment en procès de construction — qui refuse d'être démembré ou déplacé.

Les pièces de D. Prida et de M. Cruz utilisent la langue et la culture comme mode de résistance culturelle. Elles ne succombent jamais à une vision du monde blasée ni à une voix nihiliste. Elles utilisent l'idée du melting pot comme une arme contre la discrimination et pour la recherche d'une nouvelle idée de la diversité qui incorpore l'ancien et le nouveau, la tradition et l'innovation, à l'intérieur d'un langage qui reflète bien la réalité actuelle et une structure dramatique qui reflète les identités ambivalentes des personnages.
Un realismo censurado : la poética del des/engano en La campaña, de Carlos Fuentes
Authors: Perkowska-Alvarez Magdalena
Published: March 2016

Réalisme censuré : la poétique dés/abusée dans le roman de Carlos Fuente La campaña.

De 1970 à 1980, nombre de romans historiques renoncent à raconter une histoire en tant que reprise d'un événement sous forme de récit afin de montrer comment le discours se construit en hsitires et Histoire. Ce que l'on raconte s'efface derrière comment on raconte. En revanche, dans la décennie 1980 on publie des romans qui reviennent au réfèrent : (La llegada de José Luis Gonzalez, 1980 ; El entenado de Juan José Sâer, 1983 ; 1492. Vida y tiempos de Juan Cabezôn de Castilla de Homero Aridjis, 1985 ; Arrâncame la vida de Angeles Mastretta, 1985 ; Maluco. La novela de los descubridores de Napoleon Baccino Ponce de Leôn, 1990 ; Tinisima de Elena Poniatowska, 1992). Raconter une histoire, représenter un réalité historique dépend aussi de la manière de raconter, c'est là le problème de la fonction mimétique du récit.

L'analyse de La campaña, de Carlos Fuentes (1990) montre que l'acte de représenter le réel se conjugue avec ce que j'appelle une poétique des/abusée. Le personnage principal qui prend part à la Guerre d'Indépendance, use couramment des termes la campana, el héroe, la re-conquista, ce qui suggère une reconstruction romanesque de cet épisode fondateur de l'Argentine et de toute l'Amérique latine. Le récit linéaire, chronologique donne l'illusion d'un représentation traditionnelle de l'histoire. Mais certaines substitutions de personnages, des transformations, des inversions dans les actes racontés (double sens du titre, de l'identité d'Ofelia Salamanca et de l'enfant Manuel, incomplète perception de la situation par le protagoniste) donnent une grande complexité à la réalité historique, complique une écriture qui entend bien raconter mais qui se doit de maintenir cette complexité. La trompeuse simplification de la réalité par le récit historique est compensée par l'incapacité des personnages de se saisir de toute la vision de la réalité, soit qu'il ne la perçoive pas, soit qu'il veuille s'abuser sur cette réalité.
Réalisme virtuel contre réalisme magique : préface et nouvelles de McOndo
Authors: Decante Stéphanie
Published: March 2016

Realismo virtual versus realismo mágico : prefacio y cuentos de McOndo.

En 1996, dos autores chilenos, Alberto Figuet et Sergio Gomez, editabanuna antologia de dieciséis cuentos bajo el título de Mc Ondo (Santiago, Ed. Mondadori, 1996) El prefacio del libro, si bien sus autores se negaron a asumirlo como manifiesto, tiene visos de programa, enuncia los objetivos que federan estos cuentos. Su principio es distanciarse del realismo macondiano, un hito de la letras hispanoamericanas, para apuntar hacia un relismo macintoshiano, como lo sugiere el título. La provocadora declaration de A. Fuguet : « Estamos hasta aqui de oir que America Latina es puro realismo mágico, que si uno no vuela, no es latinoamericano. Estos, claro, nada tienen en común con la magia del realismo macondiano de Garcia Marquez, pero si mucho que ver con el realismo de las urbes cosmopolitas y los avatares de las vidas privadas de sus autores », propone otra identidad cultural que conlleva otra expesión literaria.

Para ver que concepto del realismo involucra esta línea de la escritura, se dilucidan las principales ideas del prefacio, para luego confrontarlas con los cuentos de esta antología. Inevitablemente, vuelven a tocarse las características formales comunes (incipit, instancia narrativa, innovaciones, importancia de los diálogos...).

Más alla de las consideraciones de experimento formal, del aprovechamiento de una tecnologia de punto, que solicita al lector deseoso de « star al dia » estos cuentos dan pie a una reflexión sobre la representation cultural y sobre la incidencia de nuevos recursos técnicos, mediáticos, en la estrategia escritural.
La piel y la máscara, de Jesus Diaz. Les stratégies de la cohérence comme modalité d'un nouveau réalisme
Authors: Spiga Bannura Maria-Grazia
Published: March 2016

La piel y la mascara de Jésus Díaz : estrategias de lo coherente, una modalidad de un nuevo réalisme.

Nacido en 1941 el cubano Jesus Diaz publica en 1992 Las palabras perdidas y en 1996 La piel y la mascara. Es notable la continuidad de la primera novela a la segunda, construcción polifonica en la que el recurso constante de la ironia matiza la permanente représentación de un referente histórico de los anos 90 en Cuba. En Las palabras perdidas es donde en una modalidad metatextual se révéla el proceso de elaboration fïccional : las palabras perdidas construyen solapadamente la propia novela. En La piel y la mascara, una production fílmica hace el papel de metaficción y remeda el proceso de la escritura. El estudio de los textos muestra cómo la genesis del texto, son heterogeneidad, plasma las ambigüedades de la réalidad. La obra, que se hace espacio de las interrogaciones del lenguaje, viene a integrar la historia contemporánea.
Un viejo que leia novelas de amor, de Luis Sepúlveda : après le «réalisme magique», la «magie de la réalité»
Authors: Lefort Michèle
Published: March 2016

Luis Sepulveda. El viejo que leia novelas de amor : después del 'realismo mágico', lo 'mágico de la realidad'.

Este libro publicado en 1989 es fruto de la experiencia personal del escritor chileno exilado en 1977 y que, en 1977 realize por cuenta de la UNESCO una misión de estudio de « impactos del proceso de colonización en las poblaciones amazonianas » en Brasil.

L. Sepulveda noveliza su conocimiento del entorno y el de los hombres para lograr una fabula humanista, moralizadora para nuestro tiempo, una de las primeras novelas conscientemente ecologistas que denuncia la destrucción del ámbito natural por empresas aprovechadoras de la madera. Propone una reflexion sobre « la magia de la realidad », la expresión es del mismo autor, y sobre la magia del relato, tanto el relato autobiografico pretexto de la novela, como el relato de evasion, las lecturas del « viejo » gracias a las cuales logra sobrevivir a las trágicas vivencias que quisiera olvidar.
Self-Assessment of Vocabulary and Relevant Language Skills for Evaluation Purposes
Authors: Janulevičienė Violeta , Kavaliauskienė Galina
Published: March 2016

Learner self-assessment of linguistic performance has been lately used due to its potential to activate the process of learning. Self-assessment raises learner awareness of language use and leads to developing learner responsibility and autonomy. However, usefulness of self-assessment for evaluation purposes has been scarcely researched. This paper examines some aspects of learners’ self-assessment for evaluation purposes at tertiary level. Research focuses on self-assessment of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) vocabulary and some language skills relevant for vocabulary retention. Data on learner self-assessment are compared to actual results in tests. The analysis provided points to importance of self-evaluation in language acquisition and suggests practical implications of self-assessment for evaluation.
Applying the Communicative Methodic in Learning Lithuanian as a Second Language
Authors: Buivydienė Vaida , Žukienė Regina
Published: March 2016

One of the strengths of European countries is their multilingual nature. That was stressed by the European Council during different international projects. Every citizen of Europe should be given the opportunity to learn languages life long, as languages open new perspectives in the modern world. Besides, learning languages brings tolerance and understanding to people from different cultures. The article presents the idea, based on the experience of foreign language teaching, that communicative method in learning languages should be applied also to Lithuanian as a foreign language teaching. According to international SOCRATES exchange programme, every year a lot of students and teachers from abroad come to Lithuanian Higher Schools (VGTU included). They should also be provided with opportunities to gain the best language learning, cultural and educational experience. Most of the students that came to VGTU pointed out Lithuanian language learning being one of the subjects to be chosen. That leads to organizing interesting and useful short-lasting Lithuanian language courses. The survey carried in VGTU and the analysis of the materials gathered leads to the conclusion that the communicative approach in language teaching is the best to cater the needs and interests of the learners to master the survival Lithuanian.
Principals of Formation of Negation and its Differences in Contemporary Romanic (French, Spanish, Italian) Languages
Authors: Stuogys Arūnas
Published: March 2016

In the article it is discussed the evolution of negation in romanic languages. Compound verbal negation is a peculiarity of the French language and the norm of literary language. Verbal negation differs greatly in French, Spanish and Italian languages. In French language it makes up a framal construction ne…pas, where as in Spanish and Italian languages it is typical for the negation to be simple.
Globalisation and the Protection of Locality: Opportunities for Intercultural Educationin the Multicultural Society
Authors: Szerlag Alicja
Published: March 2016

The intercultural education is a new dimension of experience for the subject. It is also the new dimension of the formation of its personal and social identity, especially when it proceeds in the situation of collision between two tendencies – the globalisation and the protection of locality. The function of individual at the cultural borders is possible thanks to the realisation of it is basic tasks, since it is equipped with the necessary competencies. To make this process effective it is necessary to determine it is real chances to actualise the multicultural society in practice. The dimensions where among others the nationality can prove to be the factor significantly differentiating the personal intercourses in the defined social space acquire here the special importance. Taking their range into consideration it is necessary to treat the intercultural education complexly in the school education where the attributes of family environment of students should be treated in a special way. The way to multiculturalism leads through the family, local and regional matters.
The Coursebook as the Integrated Partof the Teaching Complex
Authors: Žegūnienė Nijolė
Published: March 2016

The paper considers some theoretical problems associated with the analysis of the coursebooks for teaching English for specific purposes. The author surveys scientific literature on the problem and the available coursebooks, stating that there are only a few good coursebooks for higher technical schools both in Lithuania and abroad. The author believes that the main shortcomings are as follows: 1) coursebooks are not adapted for higher technical schools methodically, psychologically and didactically; 2) they lack the required correlation between the varieties of linguistic activities; 3) teaching materials are not always based on statistical data and research. The aim of this present paper is to suggest effective methods of solving these problems. Practical recommendations concerning the preparation of quality coursebooks based on firm scientific principles for higher technical schools are presented.
X-RAY ABSORPTION, NUCLEAR INFRARED EMISSION, AND DUST COVERING FACTORS OF AGNs: TESTING UNIFICATION SCHEMES
Authors: Mateos S. , Carrera F. J. , Alonso-Herrero A. , Hernán-Caballero A. , Barcons X. , Ramos A. Asensio , Watson M. G. , Blain A. , Caccianiga A. , Ballo L. , Braito V. , Almeida C. Ramos
Published: March 2016

We present the distributions of the geometrical covering factors of the dusty tori (f
2) of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) using an X-ray selected complete sample of 227 AGNs drawn from the Bright Ultra-hard XMM-Newton Survey. The AGNs have z from 0.05 to 1.7, 2–10 keV luminosities between 1042 and 1046 erg s−1, and Compton-thin X-ray absorption. Employing data from UKIDSS, 2MASS, and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer in a previous work, we determined the rest-frame 1–20 μm continuum emission from the torus, which we model here with the clumpy torus models of Nenkova et al. Optically classified type 1 and type 2 AGNs are intrinsically different, with type 2 AGNs having, on average, tori with higher f
2 than type 1 AGNs. Nevertheless, ∼20% of type 1 AGNs have tori with large covering factors, while ∼23%–28% of type 2 AGNs have tori with small covering factors. Low f
2 are preferred at high AGN luminosities, as postulated by simple receding torus models, although for type 2 AGNs the effect is certainly small. f
2 increases with the X-ray column density, which implies that dust extinction and X-ray absorption take place in material that share an overall geometry and most likely belong to the same structure, the putative torus. Based on our results, the viewing angle, AGN luminosity, and also f
2 determine the optical appearance of an AGN and control the shape of the rest-frame ∼1–20 μm nuclear continuum emission. Thus, the torus geometrical covering factor is a key ingredient of unification schemes.
X-RAY SPECTRAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF NARROW LINE SEYFERT 1 GALAXY WAS 61
Authors: Dou Liming , Wang Ting-Gui , Ai Yanli , Yuan Weimin , Zhou Hongyan , Dong Xiao-Bo
Published: March 2016

We present an analysis of spectrum and variability of the bright reddened narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy Was 61 using 90 ks archival XMM-Newton data. The X-ray spectrum in 0.2–10 keV can be characterized by an absorbed power-law plus soft excess and an Fe Kα emission line. The power-law spectral index remains constant during the flux variation. The absorbing material is mildly ionized, with a column density of 3.2 × 1021 cm−2, and does not appear to vary during the period of the X-ray observation. If the same material causes the optical reddening (E(B–V) ≃ 0.6 mag), it must be located outside the narrow line region with a dust-to-gas ratio similar to the average Galactic value. We detect significant variations of the Fe Kα line during the observational period. A broad Fe Kα line at

with a width of ∼0.6 keV is detected in the low flux segment of the first 40 ks exposure, and is absent in the spectra of other segments; a narrow Fe Kα emission line ∼6.4 keV with a width of ∼0.1 keV is observed in the subsequent 20 ks segment, which has a count rate 35% higher and is in the next day. We believe this is due to the change in geometry and kinematics of the X-ray emitting corona. The temperature and flux of soft X-ray excess appear to correlate with the flux of the hard power-law component. Comptonization of disc photons by a warm and optically thick inner disk is preferred to interpret the soft excess, rather than the ionized reflection.
DIRECTED SEARCHES FOR BROADBAND EXTENDED GRAVITATIONAL WAVE EMISSION IN NEARBY ENERGETIC CORE-COLLAPSE SUPERNOVAE
Authors: van Putten Maurice H. P. M.
Published: March 2016

Core-collapse supernovae (CC-SNe) are factories of neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes. SNe Ib/c stand out as potentially originating in relatively compact stellar binaries and they have a branching ratio of about 1% into long gamma-ray bursts. The most energetic events probably derive from central engines harboring rapidly rotating black holes, wherein the accretion of fall-back matter down to the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) offers a window into broadband extended gravitational wave emission (BEGE). To search for BEGE, we introduce a butterfly filter in time–frequency space by time-sliced matched filtering. To analyze long epochs of data, we propose using coarse-grained searches followed by high-resolution searches on events of interest. We illustrate our proposed coarse-grained search on two weeks of LIGO S6 data prior to SN 2010br (z = 0.002339) using a bank of up to 64,000 templates of one-second duration covering a broad range in chirp frequencies and bandwidth. Correlating events with signal-to-noise ratios > 6 from the LIGO L1 and H1 detectors reduces the total to a few events of interest. Lacking any further properties reflecting a common excitation by broadband gravitational radiation, we disregarded these as spurious. This new pipeline may be used to systematically search for long-duration chirps in nearby CC-SNe from robotic optical transient surveys using embarrassingly parallel computing.
The Validity of Body Adiposity Indices in Predicting Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Egyptian Women
Authors: Zaki Moushira Erfan , Kamal Sanaa , Reyad Hanaa , Yousef Walaa , Hassan Naglaa , Helwa Iman , Kholoussi Shams
Published: March 2016

AIM: To assess the associations between the body adiposity indices and risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in Egyptian women and to evaluate their predictive power.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis performed on 180 Egyptian women aged between 25-35 years. They were 90 women with MS diagnosed by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and 90 healthy age matched controls. Body adiposity index (BAI), body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated and serum samples were analyzed for metabolic parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) was used to determine the discriminatory capacity of BAI, WHR WHtR and BMI for MS.RESULTS: Area under the curve (AUC) was highest for BIA, followed by WHR, WHtR and then BMI. All adiposity indices were significantly correlated with metabolic components and BAI had the highest correlation coefficients compared to other indices.CONCLUSION: BAI is a practical predictor for MS and has satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing MS among Egyptian women and can be used in addition to WHR, WHtR and BMI for identifying MS in the field studies.
L’ouverture des informations publiques au regard de la propriété intellectuelle
Authors: Varet Vincent
Published: March 2016

La présente étude a pour objet d’analyser l’articulation entre les droits de propriété intellectuelle – plus spécialement le droit d’auteur, les droits voisins et le droit sui generis reconnu aux producteurs de bases de données – et le principe de libre réutilisation des informations publiques, que ce soit à des fins commerciales ou non commerciales. Le législateur, abondamment sollicité ces derniers mois, ne pouvait ignorer les droits de propriété intellectuelle qui peuvent constituer une contrainte à l’ouverture des informations publiques. Cette contrainte est absolue lorsque les droits sont détenus par les tiers, et constitue alors un frein à l’ouverture. Lorsque les droits sur certaines informations publiques sont détenus par l’organisme du secteur public, cette contrainte s’atténue. Utilisant à son profit cette ambiguïté de régime, le législateur suggère pour autant de faire de ces droits de propriété intellectuelle un outil de cette ouverture dans le cadre de schémas contractuels spécifiques. Les contrats afférents à des droits de propriété intellectuelle peuvent en effet devenir des outils en faveur de l’ouverture des informations publiques. Le législateur a choisi de suggérer cet outil plutôt que de l’imposer, tout en édictant certaines conditions impératives, que les contrats doivent respecter, l’outil étant alors aménagé. ■
Si les numéros de Politique européenne pouvaient parler…
Authors: Jacquot Sophie , Mérand Frédéric , Rozenberg Olivier
Published: March 2016

Cette contribution propose une analyse du sommaire des 47 numéros thématiques de Politique européenne au regard des sous-disciplines qui y sont mobilisées. La place dominante de la sociologie politique, l’importance des politiques publiques, de l’analyse institutionnelle et de l’épistémologie, ainsi que la place réduite des relations internationales, de la pensée politique et des approches faisant appel aux méthodes quantitatives sont restituées dans le contexte de la science politique française et de la communauté internationale des études européennes.
« Délégitimer l’Europe »
Authors: Foret François
Published: March 2016

L’UE est communément perçue comme développant des politiques qui contribuent explicitement à sa délégitimation. Une hypothèse novatrice est que cela relève d’une stratégie délibérée de polarisation en poussant à l’extrême les oppositions afin de pouvoir mieux les retourner en sa faveur, selon la théorie de l’« upside-down legitimacy ». Des données empiriques inédites éclairent le caractère fictionnel ou réaliste de ce scénario, et sont ensuite discutées à la lumière de l’état de l’art sur la nature et la justification de l’ordre politique européen. Cet article adopte un ton parodique dans le cadre du 50 ème numéro anniversaire de Politique européenne.
Normativité au Royaume-Uni
Authors: Smith Andy
Published: March 2016

Au cours des années 1960-1990, les travaux de la plupart des spécialistes britanniques de l’intégration européenne ont comporté un biais normatif favorable à ce processus. Depuis lors cette tendance se poursuit, mais de manière moins explicite, voire insidieusement. Cet article explique la première période résultant d’une « correspondance fortuite » entre les champs scientifique et politique, tandis que la cause de la normativité de la deuxième période découle d’un rapprochement entre les logiques d’action des champs scientifique et bureaucratique. Plus généralement, cette lecture permet notamment de penser les relations inter-champ en termes d’évolution de la structuration profonde des professions concernées.
Les expositions universelles comme communautés émotionnelles imaginées. Du bon usage des émotions dans l’art d’instruire et de divertir
Authors: Ariffin Yohan
Published: March 2016

Cette contribution commence par établir que les expositions universelles sont traversées par un ensemble de dynamiques contradictoires qui reflètent celles intervenant dans le processus de la mondialisation qu’elles ont précisément pour vocation de mettre en scène. Parmi ces différentes dynamiques, il en est une qui mérite que l’on s’y arrête de nouveau : celle ayant d’abord opposé sciences et loisirs avant de les associer comme organisateurs de la vie sociale. Comment les expositions universelles ont-elles représenté ces deux types d’activités qui leur ont été centrales ? L’article avance que l’évolution de la fonction de normalisation sociale attachée aux sciences et aux divertissements peut être éclairée par une analyse de l’usage qui a été fait des émotions par les organisateurs et commentateurs de ces manifestations. Le phénomène est examiné à la lumière des concepts d’émotionologie, d’émotif et de communauté émotionnelle développés par les historiens des émotions.
Web communication of CSR and financial performance: Study applied to catalan meat companies
Authors: Aramayo García Alejandra , Arimany-Serrat Nuria , Uribe Salazar Clara , Sabata Aliberch Anna
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Understanding the relationship between CSR communication on corporate websites and the financial performance of Catalan meat companies.Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the CSR communication variables of corporate websites identifying the companies with the best CSR web communication’s practices, and economic and financial comparative analysis. It also modelled the financial returns to determine whether CSR communication, as an independent variable, affects the net profit generated in relation to the investment of the stakeholders.  The analysis covered a sample of 130 Catalan meat companies.Findings and Originality/value: The report provides a diagnosis of the CSR web communication and also of the financial health of the companies in the period analyzed. The study contributes to the discussion on the relationship between CSR and financial performance.Research limitations/implications: It would be desirable extended periods of economic and financial analysis, and a more in depth study of online communication strategy incorporating the views of those responsible for the strategy and stakeholders.Practical implications: The analysis provides a better understanding of current corporate web communication and the economic and financial situation of the companies analyzed. It has practical benefits in making strategic decisions to improve the relationship with stakeholders and allows us to assess the forecast that has been made for this sector in Catalonia in the period analyzed.Social implications: The results of the study allow the industry to see the future prospects of this sector and to make the necessary changes. The results lead to improved transparency and responsible behavior.Originality/value: The analysis allows the stakeholders of the meat industry to evaluate the company’s social behavior, to assess the financial health and to take appropriate future actions.