bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplified Finite Set Model Predictive Control Strategy of Grid-Connected Cascade H-Bridge Converter
Authors: Han Jingang , Li Chao , Yang Tengfei , Han Jun
Published: May 2016

Finite set model predictive control (FS-MPC) has become a promising control technology in power converter, because of the advantages of good dynamic response and accurate current tracking capability. In real-time control process, the conventional FS-MPC strategy requires more time for prediction and optimization. As a result, there will be a certain delay between sampling and output. In order to reduce the amount of calculation and overcome the adverse effect of the delay on the system performance, this paper presents a simplified FS-MPC method. Firstly, adjacent levels method is used to reduce the amount of the calculation, and then two-step FS-MPC is adopted to compensate the calculation delay. The control strategy is validated by the simulation and experimental results of a grid-connected cascaded H-bridge converter.
Comparative Genomics of Herpesviridae Family to Look for Potential Signatures of Human Infecting Strains
Authors: Sharma Vikas , Mobeen Fauzul , Prakash Tulika
Published: May 2016

Herpesviridae family is one of the significant viral families which comprises major pathogens of a wide range of hosts. This family includes at least eight species of viruses which are known to infect humans. This family has evolved 180–220 million years ago and the present study highlights that it is still evolving and more genes can be added to the repertoire of this family. In addition, its core-genome includes important viral proteins including glycoprotein B and helicase. Most of the infections caused by human herpesviruses have no definitive cure; thus, search for new therapeutic strategies is necessary. The present study finds core-genome of human herpesviruses that differs from that of Herpesviridae family and nonhuman herpes strains of this family and might be a putative target for vaccine development. The phylogenetic reconstruction based upon the protein sequences of core gene set of Herpesviridae family reveals the sharp splits of its different subfamilies and supports the hypothesis of coevolution of viruses with their hosts. In addition, data mining for cis-elements in the genomes of human herpesviruses results in the prediction of numerous regulatory elements which can be used for regulating the expression of viral based vectors implicated in gene therapies.
Vowel Height Allophony and Dorsal Place Contrasts in Cochabamba Quechua
Authors: Gallagher Gillian
Published: May 2016

This paper reports on the results of two studies investigating the role of allophony in cueing phonemic contrasts. In Cochabamba Quechua, the uvularvelar place distinction is often cued by additional differences in the height of the surrounding vowels. An acoustic study documents the lowering effect of a preceding tautomorphemic or a following heteromorphemic uvular on the high vowels /i u/. A discrimination study finds that vowel height is a significant cue to the velar-uvular place contrast. These findings support a view of contrasts as collections of distinguishing properties, as opposed to oppositions in a single distinctive feature.
The Korean Prevocalic Palatal Glide: A Comparison with the Russian Glide and Palatalization
Authors: Suh Yunju , Hwang Jiwon
Published: May 2016

Phonetic studies of the Korean prevocalic glides have often suggested that they are shorter in duration than those of languages like English, and lack a prolonged steady state. In addition, the formant frequencies of the Korean labiovelar glide are reported to be greatly influenced by the following vowel. In this study the Korean prevocalic palatal glide is investigated vis-à-vis the two phonologically similar configurations of another language - the glide /j/ and the secondary palatalization of Russian, with regard to the inherent duration of the glide component, F2 trajectory, vowel-to-glide coarticulation and glide-to-vowel coarticulation. It is revealed that the Korean palatal glide is closer to the Russian palatalization in duration and F2 trajectory, indicating a lack of steady state, and to the Russian segmental glide in the vowel-to-glide coarticulation degree. When the glide-to-vowel coarticulation is considered, the Korean palatal glide is distinguished from both Russian categories. The results suggest that both the Korean palatal glide and the Russian palatalization involve significant articulatory overlap, the former with the vowel and the latter with the consonant. Phonological implications of such a difference in coarticulation pattern are discussed, as well as the comparison between the Korean labiovelar and palatal glides.
EEG Source Reconstruction in Male Nonsmokers after Nicotine Administration during the Resting State
Authors: Ranzi Paolo , Thiel Christiane M. , Herrmann Christoph S.
Published: May 2016

Modern psychopharmacological research in humans focuses on how specific psychoactive molecules modulate oscillatory brain activity. We present state-of-the-art EEG methods applied in a resting-state drug study. Thirty healthy male nonsmokers were randomly allocated either to a nicotine group (14 subjects, 7 mg transdermal nicotine) or a placebo group (16 subjects). EEG activity was recorded in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions before and after drug administration. A source reconstruction (minimum norm algorithm) analysis was conducted within a frequency range of 8.5-18.4 Hz subdivided into three different frequency bands. During EO, nicotine reduced the power of oscillatory activity in the 12.5- to 18.4-Hz frequency band in the left middle frontal gyrus. In contrast, in the EC condition, nicotine reduced the power in the 8.5- to 10.4-Hz frequency band in the superior frontal gyri and in the 10.5- to 12.4-Hz and 12.5- to 18.4-Hz frequency bands in the supplementary motor areas. In summary, nicotine reduced the power of the 12.5- to 18.4-Hz band in the left middle frontal gyrus during EO, and it reduced power from 8.5 to 18.4 Hz in a brain area spanning from the superior frontal gyri to the supplementary motor areas during EC. In conclusion, the results suggest that nicotine counteracts the phenomenon of anteriorization of α activity, hence potentially increasing the level of vigilance.
The Challenging Buried Bumper Syndrome after Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
Authors: Afifi Ibrahim , Zarour Ahmad , Al-Hassani Ammar , Peralta Ruben , El-Menyar Ayman , Al-Thani Hassan
Published: May 2016

Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is a rare complication developed after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). We report a case of a 38-year-old male patient who sustained severe traumatic brain injury that was complicated with early BBS after PEG tube insertion. On admission, bedside PEG was performed, and 7 days later the patient developed signs of sepsis with rapid progression to septic shock and acute kidney injury. Abdominal CT scan revealed no collection or leakage of the contrast, but showed malpositioning of the tube bumper at the edge of the stomach and not inside of it. Diagnostic endoscopy revealed that the bumper was hidden in the posterolateral part of the stomach wall forming a tract inside of it, which confirmed the diagnosis of BBS. The patient underwent laparotomy with a repair of the stomach wall perforation, and the early postoperative course was uneventful. Acute BBS is a rare complication of PEG tube insertion which could be manifested with severe complications such as pressure necrosis, peritonitis and septic shock. Early identification is the mainstay to prevent such complications. Treatment selection is primarily guided by the presenting complications, ranging from simple endoscopic replacement to surgical laparotomy.
Butterflies of the Rice Research Station and adjoining locality in Chinsurah, West Bengal, India
Authors: Mandal Somnath
Published: May 2016

Chinsurah is a small town on the western bank of the Hugli River, a distributary of the river Ganges.  A survey from November 2006 to June 2014 with photographic documentation on the butterfly community in Chinsurah revealed the presence of a total of 70 species representing 53 genera in five families; most dominant family was the Nymphalidae having 34.3% of the total species.  Six species are legally protected; one species under Schedule I; three species under Schedule II; and two species under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.  Rare species like Pareronia avator (Moore), Mahathala ameria (Hewitson) and Melanitis zitenius (Herbst) were recorded in this rapidly degrading habitat.  This study may help in planning conservation strategies in urban areas and sustainable development as well.
DUSP8 Regulates Cardiac Ventricular Remodeling by Altering ERK1/2 Signaling
Authors: Liu Ruijie , van Berlo Jop H. , York Allen J. , Vagnozzi Ronald J. , Maillet Marjorie , Molkentin Jeffery D.
Published: May 2016

Rationale:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling regulates the growth response of the adult myocardium in response to increased cardiac workload or pathological insults. The dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are critical effectors, which dephosphorylate the MAPKs to control the basal tone, amplitude, and duration of MAPK signaling.

Objective:

To examine DUSP8 as a regulator of MAPK signaling in the heart and its impact on ventricular and cardiac myocyte growth dynamics.

Methods and Results:

Dusp8
gene–deleted mice and transgenic mice with inducible expression of DUSP8 in the heart were used here to investigate how this MAPK-phosphatase might regulate intracellular signaling and cardiac growth dynamics in vivo.
Dusp8
gene–deleted mice were mildly hypercontractile at baseline with a cardiac phenotype of concentric ventricular remodeling, which protected them from progressing towards heart failure in 2 surgery-induced disease models. Cardiac-specific overexpression of DUSP8 produced spontaneous eccentric remodeling and ventricular dilation with heart failure. At the cellular level, adult cardiac myocytes from
Dusp8
gene–deleted mice were thicker and shorter, whereas DUSP8 overexpression promoted cardiac myocyte lengthening with a loss of thickness. Mechanistically, activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1/2 were selectively increased in
Dusp8
gene–deleted hearts at baseline and following acute pathological stress stimulation, whereas p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinases were mostly unaffected.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that DUSP8 controls basal and acute stress-induced extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1/2 signaling in adult cardiac myocytes that then alters the length–width growth dynamics of individual cardiac myocytes, which further alters contractility, ventricular remodeling, and disease susceptibility.
Incident Transgressions: A Review of Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960–1980, MOMA
Authors: Selejan Ileana L.
Published: May 2016

By placing on view a large selection of objects recently acquired by the New York Museum of Modern Art, the exhibition Incident Transgressions: Report on “Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America 1960–1980” (September 5, 2015 to January 3, 2016) sought to situate artistic practices from Latin America and Eastern Europe within a discursive model of cross-cultural and aesthetic transmission. However, the exhibition marginalized an account of the specific relations between these objects in favor of a more encompassing global curatorial narrative. While seeking to outline the parameters of the exhibition, and its implications in regard to contemporary trends in art history and museology, the text aims to highlight some of the instances of transmission and contact, both real and imagined, between the objects displayed.
The Hands: The Making of a Digital Musical Instrument
Authors: Torre Giuseppe , Andersen Kristina , Baldé Frank
Published: May 2016

Michel Waisvisz's The Hands is one of the most famous and long-lasting research projects in the literature of digital music instruments. Consisting of a pair of data gloves and exhibited for the first time in 1984, The Hands is a pioneering work in digital devices for performing live music. It is a work that engaged Waisvisz for almost a quarter of a century and, in turn, has inspired many generations of music technologists and performers of live music. Despite being often cited in the relevant literature, however, the documentation concerning the sensor architecture, design, mapping strategies, and development of these data gloves is sparse. In this article, we aim to fill this gap by offering a detailed history behind the development of The Hands. The information contained in this article was retrieved and collated by searching the STEIM archive, interviewing close collaborators of Waisvisz, and browsing through the paper documentation found in his personal folders and office.
Historical reanalysis in the Nakijin dialect noun accentuation system
Authors: Lawrence Wayne P.
Published: May 2016

Whereas almost all Ryukyuan dialects with tonal contrasts are word-tone languages, the Nakijin dialect of Northern Okinawa is an accentual language, and this accent, in addition to being pronounced with a high tone in certain environments, interacts with a vowel lengthening process. Through comparison of the Okinawan dialect of Nakijin with the Amami dialect of Asama (Tokunoshima Island), which also has a productive vowel lengthening process, this paper reconstructs the prosodic system (pitch and vowel length) for underived nouns in Proto-Northern Ryukyuan, and shows how the accent developed in the Nakijin dialect. 

Alors que la plupart des dialectes ryukyu possédant des distinctions tonales sont des langues à tons lexicaux, le dialecte de Nakijin du nord d’Okinawa est une langue à accent, et cet accent, en plus d’être prononcé sous la forme d’un ton haut dans certains environnements, interagit avec un processus d’allongement vocalique. Par la comparaison du dialecte okinawaïen de Nakijin et du dialecte amami d’Asama (île de Tokuno­shima), qui a lui aussi un processus productif d’allongement vocalique, cet article reconstruit le système prosodique (mélodie et longueur vocalique) des noms non dérivés en proto-ryukyu du Nord et expose la manière dont l’accent s’est développé dans le dialecte de Nakijin.
Revision of Japanese species of the genus Ecnomus McLachlan (Trichoptera: Ecnomidae), with descriptions of two new species
Authors: KUHARA NAOTOSHI
Published: May 2016

Five species of the genus Ecnomus McLachlan (Ecnomidae), including 2 new species, are recognized from Japan: E. hokkaidensis sp. nov. from Hokkaidô and E. sakishimensis sp. nov. from Ishigaki-jima and Iriomote-jima, Ryûkyû Islands, are described. Ecnomus japonicus Fischer, originally described from Kyûshû, is re-described. In addition, illustrations of the male and female genitalia are provided for E. tenellus (Rambur) and E. yamashironis Tsuda, which are common species in Japan. Ecnomus kososiensis Kobayashi, originally described from Honshû, and E. tsudai Kumanski, originally described from Korea, are synonymized under E. tenellus and E. japonicus, respectively.
A new Anagyrus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from Argentina, parasitoid of Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Harrisia pomanensis (Cactaceae)
Authors: TRIAPITSYN SERGUEI V. , Aguirre María B. , LOGARZO GUILLERMO A.
Published: May 2016

A new species of Anagyrus Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), A. lapachosus sp. n., is described from Salta Province of Argentina as a parasitoid of Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Harrisia pomanensis cactus (Cactaceae). It is a candidate “new association” biological control agent for quarantine evaluation and possible following introduction to Puerto Rico (USA) against another Hypogeococcus sp., commonly called the Harrisia cactus mealybug and often misidentified as H. pungens Granara de Willink (according to our unpublished data the latter attacks only Amaranthaceae), which devastates or threatens the native cacti there and also in some other Caribbean islands (Triapitsyn, Aguirre et al. 2014; Carrera-Martínez et al. 2015).
Engineering galectin–glycan interactions for immunotherapy and immunomodulation
Authors: Farhadi Shaheen A , Hudalla Gregory A
Published: May 2016

Galectins, a 15-member family of soluble carbohydrate-binding proteins, are receiving increasing interest as therapeutic targets for immunotherapy and immunomodulation due to their role as extracellular signals that regulate innate and adaptive immune cell phenotype and function. However, different galectins can have redundant, synergistic, or antagonistic signaling activity in normal immunological responses, such as resolution of inflammation and induction of antigen-specific tolerance. In addition, certain galectins can be hijacked to promote progression of immunopathologies, such as tumor immune privilege, metastasis, and viral infection, while others can inhibit these processes. Thus, eliciting a desired immunological outcome will likely necessitate therapeutics that can precisely enhance or inhibit particular galectin–glycan interactions. Multivalency is an important determinant of the affinity and specificity of natural galectin–glycan interactions, and is emerging as a key design element for therapeutics that can effectively manipulate galectin bioactivity. This minireview surveys current molecular and biomaterial engineering approaches to create therapeutics that can stabilize galectin multivalency or recapitulate natural glycan multivalency (i.e. “the glycocluster effect”). In particular, we highlight examples of using natural and engineered multivalent galectins for immunosuppression and immune tolerance, with a particular emphasis on treating autoimmune diseases or avoiding transplant rejection. In addition, we present examples of multivalent inhibitors of galectin–glycan interactions to maintain or restore T-cell function, with a particular emphasis on promoting antitumor immunity. Finally, we discuss emerging opportunities to further engineer galectin–glycan interactions for immunotherapy and immunomodulation.
Connecting high school dropouts to employment and education: an impact study of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program
Authors: Millenky Megan
Published: May 2016

This paper presents findings from the multi-year, random assignment study of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP), an intensive residential program for high school dropouts. The “second chance” program gives youth an opportunity to earn a high school credential and prepare to enter the workforce or continue on to post-secondary education. The NGCYP study sample includes 1173 youth, ages 16–18, from ten program sites across the USA. Positive impacts on employment and educational outcomes were sustained 3 years after entering the study, with some evidence of older participants benefiting more than younger participants. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

JEL codes: J1, I26
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: How Relevant in African Men With Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen-Deprivation Therapy?
Authors: Essien Okon Ekwere , Bassey Iya Eze , Gali Rebecca Mtaku , Udoh Alphonsus Ekpe , Akpan Uwem Okon , Glen Enakirerhi E.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Cardiovascular disease risk factors have been associated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in white and Hispanic populations. It is therefore relevant to determine if there exists a relationship between these parameters in the African population.

Patients and Methods

The design of the study was cross sectional. Prostate-specific antigen concentration, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, glucose level, and insulin level were determined in 153 patients with prostate cancer and 80 controls. The patients with prostate cancer were divided into subgroups of treatment-naïve patients and those receiving ADT.

Results

Mean total cholesterol ( P = .010), LDL cholesterol ( P = .021), BMI ( P = .001), and waist circumference ( P = .029) values were significantly higher in patients treated with ADT when compared with treatment-naïve patients. In patients treated with ADT for up to 1 year, only mean BMI was significantly higher than in treatment-naïve patients, whereas those treated with ADT for more than 1 year had significantly higher mean BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol values when compared with treatment-naïve patients. There were no significant differences in insulin or glucose levels. Those undergoing hormone manipulation after orchiectomy had fewer cardiovascular risk factors compared with those undergoing hormone manipulation alone.

Conclusion

This study shows that ADT results in elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, BMI, and waist circumference values, all of which are risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors should be included in treatment plans for patients with prostate cancer.
Flow-dependent myosin recruitment during Drosophila cellularization requires zygotic dunk activity
Authors: He Bing , Martin Adam , Wieschaus Eric
Published: May 2016

Actomyosin contractility underlies force generation in morphogenesis ranging from cytokinesis to epithelial extension or invagination. In Drosophila, the cleavage of the syncytial blastoderm is initiated by an actomyosin network at the base of membrane furrows that invaginate from the surface of the embryo. It remains unclear how this network forms and how it affects tissue mechanics. Here, we show that during Drosophila cleavage, myosin recruitment to the cleavage furrows proceeds in temporally distinct phases of tension-driven cortical flow and direct recruitment, regulated by different zygotic genes. We identify the gene dunk, which we show is transiently transcribed when cellularization starts and functions to maintain cortical myosin during the flow phase. The subsequent direct myosin recruitment, however, is Dunk-independent but requires Slam. The Slam-dependent direct recruitment of myosin is sufficient to drive cleavage in the dunk mutant, and the subsequent development of the mutant is normal. In the dunk mutant, cortical myosin loss triggers misdirected flow and disrupts the hexagonal packing of the ingressing furrows. Computer simulation coupled with laser ablation suggests that Dunk-dependent maintenance of cortical myosin enables mechanical tension build-up, thereby providing a mechanism to guide myosin flow and define the hexagonal symmetry of the furrows.
Golgb1 regulates protein glycosylation and is crucial for mammalian palate development
Authors: Lan Yu , Zhang Nian , Liu Han , Xu Jingyue , Jiang Rulang
Published: May 2016

Cleft palate is a common major birth defect for which currently known causes account for less than 30% of pathology in humans. In this study, we carried out mutagenesis screening in mice to identify new regulators of palatogenesis. Through genetic linkage mapping and whole exome sequencing, we identified a loss-of-function mutation in the Golgb1 gene that co-segregated with cleft palate in a new mutant mouse line. Golgb1 encodes a ubiquitously expressed large coiled-coil protein, known as giantin, that is localized at the Golgi membrane. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, we generated and analyzed developmental defects in mice carrying additional Golgb1 loss-of-function mutations, which validated a critical requirement for Golgb1 in palate development. Through maxillary explant culture assays, we demonstrate that the Golgb1 mutant embryos have intrinsic defects in palatal shelf elevation. Just prior to the developmental stage of palatal shelf elevation in the wildtype littermates, Golgb1 mutant embryos exhibit increased cell density, reduced hyaluronan accumulation, and impaired protein glycosylation in the palatal mesenchyme. Together, these results demonstrate that, although it is a ubiquitously expressed Golgi-associated protein, Golgb1 has specific functions in protein glycosylation and tissue morphogenesis.
Learning Networks: an Alternative to Traditional Methods of Managing Organizational Change. What We Can Learn from the Experience of the National Society of French Railways
Authors: Пащенко-де Превиль  , Paschenko-de Prville E. , Отиссье  , Autisier David , Рэнар  , Raynard Thierry
Published: May 2016

In an unstable economic environment, organizations and companies must constantly adapt and innovate to

remain competitive. To innovate and develop its ability to adapt, the organization (company) must release

the power of the thoughts and actions of its employees, it must become a learning organization. Learning

networks are one of the forms of the learning organization and an alternative to traditional methods of

managing organizational change. Learning networks can be used while driving organizational change

and should involve the largest number of participants and introduce change whilst satisfying the needs

of customers, employees and the company. In this article, we will present the keys to operating learning

networks and some key results achieved through learning networks within the National Society of French

Railways, where these networks have been in use since 2007.
Reviews
Authors: Yorke Christopher , Beaton Belinda , Falconer Emily , Fernandez Jeff
Published: May 2016

GIFT AND ECONOMY: ETHICS, HOSPITALITY AND THE MARKET, ERIC R. SEVERSON (ED.) (2012) Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 220 pp., ISBN: 9781443833837, h/bk, £39.99

ALEHOUSES AND GOOD FELLOWSHIP IN EARLY MODERN ENGLAND, MARK HAILWOOD (2014) Woodbridge: Boydell Press, x+253 pp., ISBN: 9781843839422, h/bk, £60

TOURISM AND CITIZENSHIP: RIGHTS FREEDOMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE GLOBAL ORDER, RAOUL V. BIANCHI AND MARCUS L. STEPHENSON (2014) Abingdon: Routledge, xiv + 279 pp., ISBN: 9780415707381, p/bk, £26.99

NATURALLY HEALTHY MEXICAN COOKING: AUTHENTIC RECIPES FOR DIETERS, DIABETICS AND ALL FOOD LOVERS, JIM PEYTON (2014) Austin, TX: University of Austin Press, 272 pp., ISBN: 9780292745490, p/bk, £24.95
Der EU-Aktionsplan zur Kreislaufwirtschaft - Zwischen Ambitionen und Realitäten
Authors: Wilts Henning
Published: May 2016

Die Europäische Kommission hat ihren Aktionsplan zur Kreislaufwirtschaft vorgelegt, der stark auf die wirtschaftlichen Vorteile geschlossener Stoffkreisläufe abzielt. Die potenziellen Beiträge zur verbesserten Ressourceneffizienz sollten dabei nicht als selbstverständlich angenommen werden.
Enabling Advanced CNC Programming with openNC Controllers for HSM Machines Tools
Authors: Hascoet Jean-Yves , Rauch Matthieu
Published: May 2016

The manufacturing area has benefited from various progresses over the last decades, such as High Speed Machining (HSM), but CNC programming is still based on dated practices and habits with a segmented unidirectional CAD/CAM/CNC data chain. Decision power is limited at the NC controller stage and online process optimization is difficult. In contrast, advanced programming approaches, such as STEP-NC [9], aim to unify the product/ process data within a consistent environment from design to machining. Hence, openNC controller solutions which allow access to their internal algorithms, have emerged. It is consequently possible to implement new tool path control algorithms that respond directly to the actual machining condition. This paper focuses on the interest of openNC controllers to develop advanced programming approaches forHSMprocesses. Themajor drawbacks of legacy controllers in the implementation of advanced tool path generation methods are discussed and the most significant openNC projects are reviewed. An integrated test platform has been developed. The advanced HSM programming methods enabled by this openNC controller are discussed.
Global noise score indicator for classroom
evaluation of acoustic performances in LIFE
GIOCONDA project
Authors: Chetoni Marco , Ascari Elena , Bianco Francesco , Fredianelli Luca , Licitra Gaetano , Cori Liliana
Published: May 2016

The LIFE GIOCONDA is an ongoing project that
aims to provide an innovative methodology to the authorities
for supporting the environment & health policies by
involving the young people in the decision-making processes.
The project suggests a web platform able to relate
air and noise pollution data in the schools with the students’
pollution awareness. GIOCONDA aims to enhance
the awareness of students, teachers and local administrations
on the noise issues in schools, presenting suitable
tools to improve the public participative processes.
This paper presents a new method that has been developed
within the Project. It aims to evaluate the acoustic
performances of a classroom and to suggest the use of a
global indicator based on a group of acoustic parameters
compared with their limit values. Whit the new method
the comparison between different classrooms or different
schools becomes possible, together with a homogeneous
evaluation of the priority for planning noise mitigation actions.
Several noise measurement campaigns have been performed
to characterize the students’ exposure in eight Italian
schools. The results are useful to describe the acoustic
performances of classrooms.
Effect of the synthetic zeolite modification on its physicochemical and catalytic properties in the preparation of the catalysts effectively removing sulphur dioxide from exhaust gases
Authors: Marcewicz-Kuba Agnieszka
Published: May 2016

This work presents the research results of the influence of modification deSONOx type catalyst of the sulfur dioxide emissions in the process of the hard coal combustion. The addition of zeolite catalysts modified by transition metal ions: V, Mg, activated by zinc sorbent with or without graphite addition caused the deeper burning of coal grains. The addition of the deSOx catalysts to the coal resulted in lowered sulphur dioxide emission. The addition of unmodified zeolite to coal during combustion reduced sulphur dioxide emission at about 5%. The modification of the support by both V and Mg reduced the amount of sulphur dioxide significantly. The obtained results of SO2 removal from exhaust gases were from 34.5% for Sip/Mg to 68.3% for Sip/V.
Voltage-Dependent Rhythmogenic Property of Respiratory Pre-Bötzinger Complex Glutamatergic, Dbx1-Derived, and Somatostatin-Expressing Neuron Populations Revealed by Graded Optogenetic Inhibition
Authors: Koizumi Hidehiko , Mosher Bryan , Tariq Mohammad F. , Zhang Ruli , Koshiya Naohiro , Smith Jeffrey C.
Published: May 2016

The rhythm of breathing in mammals, originating within the brainstem pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BötC), is presumed to be generated by glutamatergic neurons, but this has not been directly demonstrated. Additionally, developmental expression of the transcription factor Dbx1 or expression of the neuropeptide somatostatin (Sst), has been proposed as a marker for the rhythmogenic pre-BötC glutamatergic neurons, but it is unknown whether these other two phenotypically defined neuronal populations are functionally equivalent to glutamatergic neurons with regard to rhythm generation. To address these problems, we comparatively investigated, by optogenetic approaches, the roles of pre-BötC glutamatergic, Dbx1-derived, and Sst-expressing neurons in respiratory rhythm generation in neonatal transgenic mouse medullary slicesin vitroand also more intact adult perfused brainstem-spinal cord preparationsin situ. We established three different triple-transgenic mouse lines with Cre-driven Archaerhodopsin-3 (Arch) expression selectively in glutamatergic, Dbx1-derived, or Sst-expressing neurons for targeted photoinhibition. In each line, we identified subpopulations of rhythmically active, Arch-expressing pre-BötC inspiratory neurons by whole-cell recordings in medullary slice preparationsin vitro, and established that Arch-mediated hyperpolarization of these inspiratory neurons was laser power dependent with equal efficacy. By site- and population-specific graded photoinhibition, we then demonstrated that inspiratory frequency was reduced by each population with the same neuronal voltage-dependent frequency control mechanism in each state of the respiratory network examined. We infer that enough of the rhythmogenic pre-BötC glutamatergic neurons also have the Dbx1 and Sst expression phenotypes, and thus all three phenotypes share the same voltage-dependent frequency control property.
NMDA Receptors on Dopaminoceptive Neurons Are Essential for Drug-Induced Conditioned Place Preference
Authors: Sikora Magdalena , Tokarski Krzysztof , Bobula Bartosz , Zajdel Joanna , Jastrzębska Kamila , Cieślak Przemysław Eligiusz , Zygmunt Magdalena , Sowa Joanna , Smutek Magdalena , Kamińska Katarzyna , Gołembiowska Krystyna , Engblom David , Hess Grzegorz , Przewlocki Ryszard , Rodriguez Parkitna Jan
Published: May 2016

Plasticity of the brain’s dopamine system plays a crucial role in adaptive behavior by regulating appetitive motivation and the control of reinforcement learning. In this study, we investigated drug- and natural-reward conditioned behaviors in a mouse model in which the NMDA receptor-dependent plasticity of dopaminoceptive neurons was disrupted. We generated a transgenic mouse line with inducible selective inactivation of the NR1 subunit in neurons expressing dopamine D1 receptors (the NR1D1CreERT2mice). Whole-cell recordings of spontaneous EPSCs on neurons in the nucleus accumbens confirmed that a population of neurons lacked the NMDA receptor-dependent component of the current. This effect was accompanied by impaired long-term potentiation in the nucleus accumbens and in the CA1 area of the ventral, but not the dorsal, hippocampus. Mutant mice did not differ from control animals when tested for pavlovian or instrumental conditioning. However, NR1D1CreERT2mice acquired no preference for a context associated with administration of drugs of abuse. In the conditioned place preference paradigm, mutant mice did not spend more time in the context paired with cocaine, morphine, or ethanol, although these mice acquired a preference for sucrose jelly and an aversion to naloxone injections, as normal. Thus, we observed that the selective inducible ablation of the NMDA receptors specifically blocks drug-associated context memory with no effect on positive reinforcement in general.
Nonautonomous Roles of MAB-5/Hox and the Secreted Basement Membrane Molecule SPON-1/F-Spondin in Caenorhabditis elegans Neuronal Migration
Authors: Josephson Matthew P , Miltner Adam M , Lundquist Erik A
Published: May 2016

Nervous system development and circuit formation requires neurons to migrate from their birthplaces to specific destinations.Migrating neurons detect extracellular cues that provide guidance information. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the Q right (QR) and Q left (QL) neuroblast descendants migrate long distances in opposite directions. The Hox gene lin-39 cell autonomously promotes anterior QR descendant migration, and mab-5/Hox cell autonomously promotes posterior QL descendant migration. Here we describe a nonautonomous role of mab-5 in regulating both QR and QL descendant migrations, a role masked by redundancy with lin-39. A third Hox gene, egl-5/Abdominal-B, also likely nonautonomously regulates Q descendant migrations. In the lin-39mab-5egl-5 triple mutant, little if any QR and QL descendant migration occurs. In addition to well-described roles of lin-39 and mab-5 in the Q descendants, our results suggest that lin-39, mab-5, and egl-5 might also pattern the posterior region of the animal for Q descendant migration. Previous studies showed that the spon-1 gene might be a target of MAB-5 in Q descendant migration. spon-1 encodes a secreted basement membrane molecule similar to vertebrate F-spondin. Here we show that spon-1 acts nonautonomously to control Q descendant migration, and might function as a permissive rather than instructive signal for cell migration. We find that increased levels of MAB-5 in body wall muscle (BWM) can drive the spon-1 promoter adjacent to the Q cells, and loss of spon-1 suppresses mab-5 gain of function. Thus, MAB-5 might nonautonomously control Q descendant migrations by patterning the posterior region of the animal to which Q cells respond. spon-1 expression from BWMs might be part of the posterior patterning necessary for directed Q descendant migration.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Adolescence
Authors: Prakash Anand , Kumari Nutan
Published: May 2016

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) isn’t commonly observed during adolescence as compared to the adulthood. Especially mostly in countries like India and other developing societies, where awareness, orientation to mental health and its psychological treatment are undergoing 'infancy or adolescence' for several reasons, the neurotic disorders of children and adolescents (e.g., anxiety disorders) are rarely reported to mental health clinicians. Rather, psychotic disorders are even registered quite delayed in hospitals and private clinics. In such scenario, referral and clinical consultation for treatment of the obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescence is indeed uncommon. The present study is a case report of a 17-year old adolescent male with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The case was registered in a general medical clinic and referred to the author for further psychological assessment and intervention. He was comprehensively examined through clinical interview, Y-BOCS and treated by cognitive-behavior technique of intervention without the inclusion of psychiatric treatment. Details of the psychological assessment and intervention have been presented in this case report.
La militarización, un obstáculo para la gobernanza democrática de la seguridad en México
Authors: Morales Rosas Sabina , Pérez Ricart Carlos A.
Published: May 2016

La bibliografía especializada coincide en que la evolución de la política de seguridad en México corresponde a un proceso de militarización. De un lado, este proceso se ha caracterizado por la reconstitución de las instituciones y organizaciones militares en ejes centrales de la política de seguridad, y de otro, por la adopción de lógicas y prácticas castrenses por los actores e instituciones civiles. En este artículo analizamos el caso de México desde una noción de militarización inspirada en los conceptos de campo organizacional y cambio isomorfo del nuevo institucionalismo sociológico. Esta aproximación teórica
permite integrar las transformaciones mencionadas, como procesos interdependientes, en una reconfiguración general del campo organizacional de la seguridad en México. Un proceso en el que las organizaciones e instituciones civiles involucradas sufren procesos de cambio isomorfo, relacionados con la constitución de las Fuerzas Armadas como actor
hegemónico y que como parte de la reorientación de tipo castrense de los componentes civiles del campo, los componentes militares también cambian. Derivado del análisis del caso, discutimos la manera en que las modificaciones de los actores civiles y militares constriñen su capacidad para proponer e instrumentar acciones que reorienten el campo
hacia esquemas democráticos. En este artículo identificamos cuatro obstáculos, tanto institucionales como simbólicos, para la gobernanza democrática de la seguridad en México:
a) cesión del control civil, b) relaciones jerárquicas entre los actores hegemónicos y periféricos del campo, c) una organización centralizada del campo y d) la acción totalizante de una legitimidad centrada en la retórica de la eficiencia militar. Argumentamos que estos cuatro elementos, junto con la escalada de violencia e impunidad frente a la violación
sistemática de los derechos humanos, así como la progresiva retirada del Estado mexicano de sus funciones sociales, contribuyen a consolidar la trayectoria de la militarización del
campo de la seguridad en México, lo que disminuye cada vez más la probabilidad de su reorientación democrática.
De cómo los lugares con contextos dominados por la desigualdad vuelven ineficaces las labores de las instituciones del Estado
Authors: Aparicio Castro Andrea Lisette , Moreno Castro José Manuel
Published: May 2016

Según algunos indicadores de gobernanza mundial, Colombia está clasificada por debajo de países no solo de Norteamérica, sino también de América Latina. El presente artículo estudia las instituciones gubernamentales, específicamente en relación con la desigualdad. Su objetivo principal es determinar la correspondencia entre la eficacia de las instituciones —entendida como el cumplimiento de los mínimos de actividades que debe efectuar un Estado, entre ellas la distribución de la riqueza y la orientación hacia la distribución de las capacidades (igualdad)— y las zonas más desiguales —que en este marco de análisis se definen como los territorios con mayores discrepancias económicas, sociales y culturales entre las personas—. La investigación se articula en tres etapas, a lo largo de las cuales se evidencia que en algunos municipios de Colombia existe una relación, no precisamente inversa, entre los territorios que tienen presencia de instituciones estatales y aquellos con mayores desigualdades. Se utilizaron indicadores de instituciones nacionales e internacionales, como la tasa de eficacia de la justicia, la razón entre la presencia de jueces y el territorio, el índice de desempeño fiscal, el índice de vulnerabilidad por presencia institucional, la tasa de informalidad en la tenencia de la tierra, el índice multidimensional de pobreza y el índice de Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas (NBI). Los resultados indican que las instituciones en Colombia tienen poco o ningún efecto en la distribución de la riqueza. Dados los índices anteriormente mencionados, se seleccionaron siete regiones para el desarrollo del estudio: 1) los municipios de Santander, 2) los municipios de frontera entre Arauca y Casanare, 3) los municipios localizados entre Cundinamarca y Huila, 4) los municipios del departamento del Cesar, 5) los municipios situados entre Norte de Santander y Boyacá, 6) los municipios del Caquetá y 7) aquellos que están ubicados en el occidente del Casanare.
Desigualdades sociales, ¿inequidades espaciales? Análisis de la segregación sociorracial en Bogotá (2005-2011)
Authors: Villamizar Santamaría Sebastián F.
Published: May 2016

Bogotá es una ciudad segregada socioeconómicamente, pero poco se sabe sobre la influencia de la raza en este proceso. Este artículo pretende explorar esta relación utilizando un análisis espacial con datos del censo del 2005. A pesar de que Bogotá tiene una proporción baja de población afrocolombiana, esta última presenta índices de vulnerabilidad ligeramente más altos que los de la población blanca/mestiza en la capital. La valoración de vulnerabilidad se basa en indicadores como la educación del jefe de hogar, el grado de privación alimentaria, la deserción escolar y el desempleo juvenil, entre otras variables. Además, Bogotá presenta indicios de tener un patrón de segregación residencial según la
raza, dado que hay algunos conglomerados de población negra al sur, al noroccidente y en el centro de Bogotá. Este patrón se combina con el efecto de la segregación que se deriva
de la clase, en el que hay un eje de distribución norte-sur con una amplia variación en el centro y occidente. La combinación de la situación socioeconómica con las desigualdades raciales hace que Bogotá tenga un patrón particular de segregación, en el que pareciera que la clase tiene un poco más de influencia que la raza. Dicho de otro modo, hay una alta probabilidad de que una persona afrodescendiente presente condiciones de vida similares a las de sus vecinos blancos-mestizos que a las de otra persona negra que reside
en un barrio perteneciente a una clase social distinta. No obstante, la población afro se encuentra en una desventaja mucho mayor que la blanca/mestiza en relación con el acceso potencial a bienes públicos como comedores comunitarios y colegios oficiales y privados. En otras palabras, la distribución espacial de estos bienes públicos en la ciudad no es completamente equitativa, lo que lleva a que los barrios donde hay mayor población negra no tengan una oferta significativa de dichos bienes. Así, esta investigación concluye que se deben usar tanto los lentes de clase como de raza para entender mejor las desigualdades en la justicia espacial de la ciudad.
Jefatura masculina en hogares monoparentales: adaptaciones de los hombres a las necesidades de sus hijos
Authors: Cano Rodas Andrés Mauricio , Motta Ariza María Eugenia , Valderrama Tibocha Luis Enrique , Gil Vargas Carlos Alberto
Published: May 2016

Actualmente dentro de la diversidad familiar, los hogares monoparentales con jefatura masculina constituyen un fenómeno emergente. Este tipo de hogares se conforman de manera particular y, a la vez, generan nuevos retos ante las transformaciones de la sociedad de hoy. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar algunos resultados de una investigación de corte cualitativo, realizada en Bogotá en el 2014, en la que se indagó a padres pertenecientes a hogares monoparentales con jefatura masculina sobre los cambios y los significados de lo que para ellos constituyen la paternidad y la masculinidad, a través de la aplicación de entrevistas en profundidad. En esta investigación se identificaron algunos significados de ser padre en cuanto a roles de proveedor económico, cuidador, agente de socialización y transmisor de valores y costumbres para sus hijos; además los padres entrevistados evidenciaron nuevas lecturas frente a experiencias del pasado en sus vidas, especialmente en lo que se refiere a la relación con sus propios progenitores. Los resultados de las entrevistas permitieron visibilizar un cuestionamiento sobre la masculinidad hegemónica en cuanto a la dinámica de las relaciones afectivas y la comunicación dentro del hogar, así como las redes de apoyo con las que cuentan. Se evidenció además una considerable modificación del estilo de vida de los padres, en cuanto a su dimensión profesional, laboral, social y de esparcimiento personal con sus amigos, que se adapta esencialmente a las necesidades de sus hijos*. La experiencia de la jefatura de un hogar monoparental ha llevado a los padres entrevistados a modificar el ejercicio de su masculinidad en lo que tiene que ver con su comunicación, sus relaciones, la manera de expresar el afecto y el desempeño cotidiano con sus hijos, aceptando el nuevo rol familiar, al asociarlo con la responsabilidad de la crianza y el cuidado de los mismos. Las necesidades de los hijos en los hogares actuales, asumidas por los padres, son entendidas como una “transmisión simbólica y emocional, que a través del lenguaje intrafamiliar permite el ingreso del niño y la niña al parentesco, a una historia que lo precede, en donde encontrará los soportes identificatorios para sentirse parte de algo y hacerse un lugar entre los propios y los otros” (López, 2009, p. 134).