bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Earth expansion theory and its transition from scientific hypothesis to pseudoscientific belief
Authors: Sudiro P.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. During the first half of 20th century, the dominant global tectonics model based on Earth contraction had increasing problems accommodating new geological evidence, with the result that alternative geodynamic theories were investigated. Due to the level of scientific knowledge and the limited amount of data available in many scientific disciplines at the time, not only was contractionism considered a valid scientific theory but the debate also included expansionism, mobilism on a fixed-dimension planet, or various combinations of these geodynamic hypotheses. Geologists and physicists generally accepted that planets could change their dimensions, although the change of volume was generally believed to happen because of a contraction, not an expansion. Constant generation of new matter in the universe was a possibility accepted by science, as it was the variation in the cosmological constants. Continental drift, instead, was a more heterodox theory, requiring a larger effort from the geoscientists to be accepted. The new geological data collected in the following decades, an improved knowledge of the physical processes, the increased resolution and penetration of geophysical tools, and the sensitivity of measurements in physics decreased the uncertainty level in many fields of science. Theorists now had less freedom for speculation because their theories had to accommodate more data, and more limiting conditions to respect. This explains the rapid replacement of contracting Earth, expanding Earth, and continental drift theories by plate tectonics once the symmetrical oceanic magnetic striping was discovered, because none of the previous models could explain and incorporate the new oceanographic and geophysical data. Expansionism could survive after the introduction of plate tectonics because its proponents have increasingly detached their theory from reality by systematically rejecting or overlooking any contrary evidence, and selectively picking only the data that support expansion. Moreover, the proponents continue to suggest imaginative physical mechanisms to explain expansion, claiming that scientific knowledge is partial, and the many inconsistencies of their theory are just minor problems in the face of the plain evidence of expansion. According to the expansionists, scientists should just wait for some revolutionary discovery in fundamental physics that will explain all the unsolved mysteries of Earth expansion. The history of the expanding-Earth theory is an example of how falsified scientific hypotheses can survive their own failure, gradually shifting towards and beyond the limits of scientific investigation until they become merely pseudoscientific beliefs.
Flood frequency analysis supported by the largest historical flood
Authors: Strupczewski W. G. , Kochanek K. , Bogdanowicz E.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The use of non-systematic flood data for statistical purposes depends on the reliability of the assessment of both flood magnitudes and their return period. The earliest known extreme flood year is usually the beginning of the historical record. Even if one properly assesses the magnitudes of historic floods, the problem of their return periods remains unsolved. The matter at hand is that only the largest flood (XM) is known during whole historical period and its occurrence marks the beginning of the historical period and defines its length (L). It is common practice to use the earliest known flood year as the beginning of the record. It means that the L value selected is an empirical estimate of the lower bound on the effective historical length M. The estimation of the return period of XM based on its occurrence (L), i.e. ^M = L, gives a severe upward bias. The problem arises that to estimate the time period (M) representative of the largest observed flood XM. From the discrete uniform distribution with support 1, 2, ... , M of the probability of the L position of XM, one gets ^L = M/2. Therefore ^M = 2L has been taken as the return period of XM and as the effective historical record length as well this time. As in the systematic period (N) all its elements are smaller than XM, one can get ^M = 2t( L+N). The efficiency of using the largest historical flood (XM) for large quantile estimation (i.e. one with return period T = 100 years) has been assessed using the maximum likelihood (ML) method with various length of systematic record (N) and various estimates of the historical period length ^M comparing accuracy with the case when systematic records alone (N) are used only. The simulation procedure used for the purpose incorporates N systematic record and the largest historic flood (XMi) in the period M, which appeared in the Li year of the historical period. The simulation results for selected two-parameter distributions, values of their parameters, different N and M values are presented in terms of bias and root mean square error RMSEs of the quantile of interest are more widely discussed.
PROJETO DE HORTA ESCOLAR: ESTUDO DE CASO NO COLÉGIO DA POLICIA MILITAR DE RIO VERDE – GO
Authors: Cabral Marluz Martins , Sousa Marluce Silva
Published: June 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a proposta de horta na escola avaliando, como estudo de caso, a execução do projeto de horta escolar no Colégio da Polícia Militar de Rio Verde – GO. Inicialmente, explorou-se o tema por meio de revisão de literatura. Em seguida, foi realizada uma caracterização do Colégio Militar de Rio Verde, com observações e com levantamento de dados qualitativos, por meio de questionário e entrevista com os envolvidos. Estes dados foram analisados e confrontados com aquilo que constava no projeto de Horta Escolar. A análise permite dizer que o desenvolvimento do projeto tem pontos positivos e negativos. A horta oportuniza, tanto para os alunos como para o professor, um laboratório de buscas e aprendizagem com as informações e a prática e incentiva a valorizar o meio ambiente. Além disso, é um excelente instrumento pedagógico e conscientiza os alunos a terem hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Mas, ao mesmo tempo, falta motivação e comprometimento ou, até mesmo, incentivo aos alunos. Assim, é preciso encontrar estratégias para resgatar a participação dos alunos e buscar, em várias disciplinas, interação dos professores para executar uma verdadeira interdisciplinaridade.
A AVALIAÇÃO DOCENTE NA PERSPECTIVA DAS POLÍTICAS EDUCACIONAIS
Authors: Siqueira Ivone Santos , Chaves Sandramara Matias
Published: June 2014

Este artigo discute a avaliação docente destacando a vinculação das políticas avaliativas educacionais com os interesses de mercado segundo a lógica capitalista. Nesse sentido, evidencia-se as contradições presentes na perspectiva de desvelar os viéses ideológicos do processo, como por exemplo, o interesse pelo professor, que camufla a intenção de preparar este profissional para contribuir com o ajuste da educação às exigências do capital. Metodologicamente, este artigo faz uma análise sistêmica da avaliação docente a partir de uma sistemática revisão bibliográfica e de reflexões das autoras. Constatamos que as políticas para os professores estão inseridas num conjunto de reformas mediadas por organismos internacionais, as quais fazem parte do processo de globalização da educação e da redefinição das políticas educativas.
GEOGRAFIA, CIDADE E LUGAR NO PROCESSO DE ENSINO E APRENDIZAGEM: UM ENFOQUE A PARTIR DA CIDADE DE FORMOSA - GO
Authors: Carvalho Sobrinho Hugo De , Suess Rodrigo Capelle , Bezerra Rafael Gonçalves
Published: June 2014

Dialogar sobre a relação existente entre Geografia, cidade e lugar enriquece o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, considerando a cidade na qual residem os alunos como um palco para a produção do conhecimento.  Assim, este trabalho tem como finalidade refletir sobre a importância da valorização da cidade e do espaço vivido pelo aluno no processo ensino-aprendizagem e averigua as concepções que educadores têm a respeito da cidade de Formosa-GO como palco da aprendizagem. A cidade de Formosa-GO, com mais de 100.000 habitantes e 170 anos de história, com seus festejos, manifestações culturais e religiosas, com seus recursos naturais exuberantes, mas também, com problemas e situações peculiares de uma cidade que se desenvolve, detém locais que podem ser assumidos como uma sala de aula. Fazer da cidade uma proposta pedagógica é um desafio, porém necessário quando se quer partir do mundo vivido do discente para que a aprendizagem torne-se significativa. Explorar espaços que rodeiam a escola que são vistos pelos alunos do caminho de casa para escola leva as alunos a conhecerem, intervir e (re) criar a sua cidade.DOI: 10.5216/rir.v1i16.28700
O USO DAS TECNOLOGIAS NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL: NOVOS DESAFIOS PARA O PROFESSOR DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA EM UMA ESCOLA PÚBLICA DE GOIÂNIA
Authors: Silva. Ana Maria Da Conceição , Da Penha Matilde Gonçalves
Published: June 2014

RESUMO: As tecnologias fazem parte do cotidiano, especialmente das crianças e adolescentes que nasceram em meio a elas. São eles os estudantes do Ensino Fundamental, jovens que não concebem o mundo sem a existência desses recursos. A televisão, o vídeo game, o celular, o computador e a Internet podem ser considerados os principais exemplos. A Internet apresenta fascinantes atrativos como salas de bate-papo, redes sociais, e-mails e blogs pessoais. Como as tecnologias são trabalhadas no contexto escolar? O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar se os professores de Educação Física utilizam as tecnologias nas aulas do Ensino Fundamental. A Educação Física é uma disciplina concebida tradicionalmente como prática visando, a promoção da saúde através de esportes, jogos, ginástica e lutas. Foi feita uma pesquisa de campo com professores e estudantes do Ensino Fundamental, foi aplicado um questionário diferente para cada grupo. Conclui-se que os professores de Educação Física e outros precisam entender melhor as finalidades das tecnologias na Educação, para bem utilizá-las.
O MAPA CONCEITUAL NO ENSINO DE ÓPTICA DA VISÃO: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE UTILIZAÇÃO
Authors: Souza Ruberley Rodrigues de , Paulino Vagner Lucio
Published: June 2014

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a utilização de mapas conceituais como instrumento de avaliação no ensino de Física. A atividade foi aplicada a onze alunos do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio de uma escola privada da cidade de Jataí, Goiás. Cada aluno construiu individualmente um mapa conceitual sobre os conceitos de óptica da visão, e, posteriormente, elaborou-se um mapa coletivo da turma sobre o mesmo conteúdo. Os resultados desta atividade mostraram que a utilização de mapas conceituais pode se constituir em uma boa estratégia para o ensino de óptica da visão. Embora contendo alguns problemas, os mapas conceituais dos alunos apresentaram algumas conexões cientificamente corretas entre os conceitos pré-definidos. A análise dos mapas permitiu também a verificação de problemas de aprendizagem, que possivelmente não seriam observadas em avaliações contendo questões tradicionais. Como conclusão, constatamos que a atividade de construção de mapas conceituais propiciou um ambiente favorável à aprendizagem significativa, favorecendo a mudança de postura dos alunos, que passaram de uma atitude passiva para protagonistas da aula. Constatamos também que há a necessidade de se destinar um maior tempo para os alunos construírem seus mapas conceituais e discuti-los com os colegas, e, principalmente, que é fundamental que o professor elabore seu mapa conceitual antes da atividade com os alunos. Este mapa, além de servir como um guia para a atividade, propiciaria também um momento de reflexão prévia, por parte do professor, sobre o conteúdo a ser trabalhado.
APRENDIZAGEM SIGNIFICATIVA: REVISÃO TEÓRICA E APRESENTAÇÃO DE UM INSTRUMENTO PARA APLICAÇÃO EM SALA DE AULA
Authors: Brum Wanderley Pivatto
Published: June 2014

Resumo: Muitos são os instrumentos existentes para contribuir junto ao professor no processo de ensino. A construção de mapas conceituais se constitui como um deles, cuja finalidade é auxiliar no desenvolvimento cognitivo dos estudantes que, no contexto deste artigo, engloba a aquisição de conhecimento e evolução conceitual, visando facilitar o planejamento do processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Embora este instrumento seja considerado adequado para utilização em sala de aula, poucos professores fazem uso dele por não conhecerem uma maneira adequada de utilizá-lo. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão sobre a Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa, assim como esclarecer a forma como ela pode ser utilizada dentro do contexto de ensino.
A PESQUISA NO PROCESSO DE FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES: ARTICULADOR E INTEGRADOR DE SABERES NECESSÁRIOS À PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA E DOCENTE
Authors: Da Silva Sílvio Ribeiro
Published: June 2014

Neste estudo, apresentamos, de maneira parcial, resultados de uma pesquisa que pretendeu identificar como está ocorrendo a produção científica nos 09 cursos de licenciatura (Física, Matemática, Química, Ciências Biológicas, Educação Física, Geografia, História, Pedagogia e Letras) do Campus Jataí (CAJ/UFG). Seus principais objetivos foram (i) identificar concepções e intenções de docentes e alunos relacionadas ao ensino com pesquisa no processo de formação no curso de licenciatura e (ii) tomar conhecimento das pesquisas feitas pelos alunos dos 09 cursos de licenciatura do CAJ/UFG, identificando se são voltadas ou não para a educação básica do município de Jataí e da região. Para a análise e discussão dos dados, usamos o aprofundamento teórico de base interpretativista. Por estar vinculado à perspectiva interpretativista, o estudo ficou, também, enquadrado dentro da ótica proposta pelo paradigma indiciário de Ginzburg (1991). Os resultados indicaram que, dentre outras questões, falta maior participação dos docentes e alunos dos cursos de licenciatura em projetos PROLICEN. Outro aspecto diz respeito à urgente necessidade de mudança de postura de alguns docentes que consideram que a pesquisa não se aplica à formação de professores. Também o número de alunos envolvidos em atividades de pesquisa na unidade precisa ser ampliado. Para isso, a instituição poderia investir em políticas de divulgação de seus trabalhos de pesquisa junto à comunidade estudantil. Isso poderia despertar o interesse daqueles alunos que ainda não manifestaram esse tipo de interesse.
A PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA DE UMA PROFESSORA DE ESPANHOL EM UMA ESCOLA INCLUSIVA NA CIDADE DE PIRES DO RIO – GO
Authors: Da Silva Cleber Cezar
Published: June 2014

Este estudo de caso de natureza qualitativa apresenta e discute a prática pedagógica de uma professora de Língua Espanhola para alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais, no Ensino Médio, em uma Instituição de Ensino na cidade de Pires do Rio – Goiás. Aqui buscamos um arcabouço teórico em alguns estudiosos que abordam a prática pedagógica do professor. Essa pesquisa muito tem a contribuir com a prática pedagógica dos professores de Língua Espanhola para alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais, pois ao término da análise de dados foi possível observar que muito ainda tem se a fazer para que os professores que estão incluídos nesse processo tenham um suporte maior por parte das instituições educacionais e as políticas públicas, para que possam realmente saber como viabilizar a sua prática pedagógica em uma Escola Inclusiva.
A FORMAÇAO CONTINUADA: POR QUE PROFESSORES DA REDE PÚBLICA NÃO PARTICIPAM DE FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA? ALGUMAS REFLEXÕES SOBRE A PRÁXIS DOCENTE.
Authors: Mendes Júnior Josino Lucindo , Feitosa Claudinéia , Carvalho Simone Carvalho Carneiro Souza
Published: June 2014

Este artigo analisa as construções teóricas relativas à Formação Continuada e a Práxis docente, tendo em vista o porquê do professor da rede pública não vir participando da formação continuada. Para tanto, discute: a carga horária de trabalho; como são oferecidos os cursos de formação continuada; o despreparo docente para a pesquisa como instrumento de ensino e aprendizagem; o desenvolvimento no educador de uma prática pedagógica reflexiva; a concepção de formação continuada por parte dos graduandos em pedagogia, a participação em cursos, oficinas e palestras como critério de seleção na distribuição de cargos para professores da rede pública. A metodologia utilizada foi comparativa indutiva subsidiada pela técnica de entrevista dirigida por meio de questionário. Os resultados alcançados foram à constatação de uma sobrecarga de trabalho, stress da profissão, baixa remuneração, desvalorização do profissional da educação, condições precárias de trabalho, como ainda o descaso político por uma educação pública de qualidade.
Short communication. Changes in the composition of sows milk between days 5 to 26 of lactation
Authors: Daza A. , Riopérez J. , Centeno C.
Published: June 2014

Ten Large White x Landrace sows were used to measure changes during lactation of composition of the milk. Milk composition on day 5, 12, 19 and 26 of lactation included 195.7, 192.2, 185.4 and 184.1 g of dry matter kg-1, 59.3, 55.8, 55.1 and 54.8 g of crude protein kg-1 and 1.3, 1.18, 1.16 and 1.17 Mcal of gross energy kg-1, respectively. Dry matter, crude protein and gross energy levels in the milk did not vary significantly with stage of lactation. Amino acids average total (except tryptophan, proline and cystine) and lysine average contents of sows milk on day 5, 12, 19, and 26 after parturition were 73.5, 77.6, 82.7 and 81.8 g/100 g milk protein and 5.97, 6.41, 7.05 and 6.81 g/100 g milk protein, respectively. All studied amino acids with some exceptions (methionine, threonine, histidine and glycine) varied significantly (P
Impact of VAT regimes on organisation of producers operations under CAP financial instruments for the fruit and vegetable sector
Authors: Server Izquierdo R.J. , Marín Sánchez M.M.
Published: June 2014

This work investigates the repercussions of VAT neutrality of the «operational funds». At this moment, this is one of the most important financial sources for the fruit and vegetables sector in the European Union, and specifically in Spain. The operational funds, financed fifty-fifty by the organizations partners and by the community budget, have been regulated by the Community Agricultural Policies and are, therefore, not covered in the Spanish mercantile and tax regulations. Through this analysis, we have concluded that "reserve" is the most appropriate alternative for account identification of the partners contribution to these funds. Also, we have built the models that allow for quantification of indirect taxes. These models, if the reserve option is chosen, lead to VAT neutrality for the organizations, thus avoiding extra charges for the partner.
Optimal sowing dates of three species of grain-bearing amaranth in the semi-arid Argentine Pampa
Authors: De Troiani R.M. , Sánchez T.M. , Reinaudi N.B. , De Ferramola L.A.
Published: June 2014

Determining the optimal sowing date is important when evaluating the production potential of any new crop. Field trials were performed with Amaranthus cruentus L., A. hypochondriacus L. and A. mantegazzianus Pass. from 1999 to 2002 in the semi-arid Argentine Pampa in order to establish the best sowing dates for grain production. Crops were sown at 15 day intervals during November, December and January. The following variables were then measured: plant height, days to anthesis, production of biomass, grain production, harvest index, final number of plants and plant losses. Rainfall strongly influenced these variables, depending on sowing date. In all years, A. mantegazzianus produced the lowest grain yields. The latest sowing date is not recommended since the light and temperature conditions during the final part of the phenological cycle have a negative effect on grain yield. The best results were obtained when sowing was performed from the second half of November through to the end of December.
An Investigation on the Fine Structure Levels in the Ground State Configuration for the Antimony Anion
Authors: Özdemir Leyla , Tuna Sadiye
Published: June 2014

We have investigated the correlation, relativistic, and isotope shift effects on the fine structure levels in the ground state configuration for the antimony anion ( Sb-). Energies and radiative transition probabilities (for magnetic dipole, M1, and electric quadrupole, E2) have been obtained using the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock method within the framework of the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. Therefore, the most important configuration interaction and relativistic effects have been included. Comparisons with other available works are presented. For some M1 and E2 lines the considered transition probabilities are reported for the first time
Ab Initio Calculations of Structural, Electronic, and Mechanical Stability Properties of Magnesium Sulfide
Authors: Wu Hai-Ying , Chen Ya-Hong , Zhou Ping , Han Xiang-Yu , Liu Zi-Jiang
Published: June 2014

The structural, electronic, and mechanical stability properties of magnesium sulfide in different phases are presented using the plane wave pseudopotential method within the generalized gradient approximation. Eight different phases such as rocksalt (B1), zincblende (B3), wurtzite (B4), nickel arsenide (B8), cesium chloride (B2), PH4I-type (B11), FeSi-type (B28), and MnP-type (B31) are considered in great detail. The calculated ground-state properties of these phases are consistent with available experimental and theoretical data. It is found that MgS in the B1 and B8 phases are indirect band gap materials, the B3, B4, B11, B28, and B31 phases are all direct gap materials, while the B2 phase displays the metallic character. The B1, B3, B4, B8, B28, and B31 phases are mechanically stable at ambient conditions, but the B2 and B11 phases are mechanically unstable under zero pressure and zero temperature
Effects of Metal Ions and N-Donor Ligands with Different Coordination Characters on the Construction of d10 Metal-organic Complexes with Selective Photocatalytic Activities
Authors: Liu Guo-Cheng , Chen Nai-Li , Zhang Ju-Wen , Qu Yun , Lin Hong-Yan , Gao Xin-Jie
Published: June 2014

Four new d10 metal-organic coordination polymers, [Zn(L)(phen)(H2O)] (1), [Cd(L)(phen)] (2), [Zn(L)(bppdc)]·3H2O (3), and [Cd(L)(bppdc)]·3H2O (4) [L=2-carboxymethylsulfanyl nicotinic acid, phen=1,10-phenanthroline, bppdc=N;N`-bis(pyridin-3-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide], have been obtained from hydrothermal reactions of zinc(II)=cadmium(II) nitrates with the semi-rigid N-= S-containing dicarboxylate L, and the two structurally disparate neutral N-donor ligands phen and bppdc. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has revealed that compound 1 is a one-dimensional (1- D) helical coordination polymer linked by ZnII atoms and L spacers. Compound 2 features a doublechain structure connected via binuclear CdII units and pairs of L linkers. Adjacent chains of 1 and 2 are packed into 3-D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonds and p-p stacking interactions. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibit similar 2-D (4,4)-connected wave-like networks based on linear [M-L]n and zigzag [M-bppdc]n metal-organic chains (M=ZnII for 3 and CdII for 4). The effects of metal ions and N-donor ligands with different coordination characters are discussed. Moreover, the photoluminescence properties and photocatalytic activities of compounds 1 - 4 were investigated.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Re(BIAN)(CO)3Cl Derivatives Including the First Example of a Water-soluble Tricarbonyl Rhenium(I) Complex with Bis(imino)acenaphthene Ligands
Authors: Kianfar Elham , Monkowius Uwe , Portenkirchner Engelbert , Knör Günther
Published: June 2014

A series of rhenium(I) carbonyl chloride complexes carrying bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN) molecules as p-acceptor ligands was prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Among the novel compounds described, the remarkable example of a deeply colored water-soluble rhenium carbonyl derivative is presented. The crystal structures of this family of BIAN compounds are also reported, which confirm the position of the chloro ligand at the tricarbonyl rhenium(I) center. In the case of BIAN ligands carrying bulky substituents in the ortho-position of the arylimino subunits, evidence has been found for an exchange of the halide ligand in solution, which is considered to be of major relevance for catalytic applications. Implications of our results for the fields of photocatalytic CO2 reduction and the controlled release of the gasotransmitter CO in aqueous solution are briefly discussed.
Synthesis and Reactions of New Chiral Linear Dipeptide Candidates Using Nalidixic Acid as Starting Material
Authors: Khalifa Nagy M. , Naglah Ahmed M. , Al-Omara Mohamed A. , Amr Abd El-Galil E.
Published: June 2014

A series of dipeptide heterocyclic derivatives 4-15 were synthesized using methyl 2-{[(1-ethyl- 7-methyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}-3-ethylbutanoate (3) as starting material. Treatment of 3 with L-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride afforded the corresponding dipeptide methyl ester derivative 4, which was treated with hydrazine hydrate to afford the dipeptide acid hydrazide 5. Compound 5 was coupled with aldehyde and acetophenone derivatives to afford the corresponding Schiff bases 6a-f. The hydrazide derivative 5 was reacted with ethyl acetoacetate or acetone to give compounds 7 and 8, respectively. Reaction of 5 with carbon disulfide at different conditions afforded compounds 9 and 10, which were treated with hydrazine hydrate to give the 1-amino-2-dipeptido-1,3,4-triazole derivative 11. In addition, 5 was reacted with phenyl isothiocyanate to give the thiosemicarbazide derivative 12, which was cyclized with sodium hydroxide to the dipeptido 1-phenyl-1,3,4-triazole derivative 13. Finally, treatment of 13 with methyl iodide afforded the S-methyl derivative 14, which was reacted with hydrazine hydrate to give the hydrazine derivative 15.
Two Rare Hydroazulene-type Sesquiterpenes from the Roots of Aristolochia yunnanensis
Authors: Du Zhuo , Wen Feng-Ni , Zhang Ji-Ping , Wua Jian-Feng , Liu Fang , Wan Xue-Qin , Li Zhong , Han Bin
Published: June 2014

Two new sesquiterpenes, named aristoyunnolin I (1) and J (2), together with eight known compounds (3 - 10) were isolated from the roots of Aristolochia yunnanensis. Compounds 1 and 2 feature a rare hydroazulene-type sesquiterpene skeleton and represent the third and fourth examples of this kind found in nature. The structures were determined from spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations of 1 - 3 were assigned by comparing experimental with simulated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 1, 2, 6 - 10 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxic activities of 1 - 10 were evaluated against P-388 and A-549 cell lines. Only compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate activity with IC50 values ranging from 12.0 to 18.2 μM.
L’union monétaire des pays du Conseil de coopération du golfe : viabilité et perspectives d’avenir
Authors: Ben Abdesslem Amel
Published: June 2014

Cet article a pour objectif d’évaluer la viabilité du projet d’unification des pays du Conseil de coopération du golfe Persique (CCG). L’objectif commun de l’Arabie saoudite, de Bahreïn, des Émirats arabes unis, du Koweït, d’Oman et du Qatar était d’établir une intégration économique complète par le biais de la création d’une monnaie unique à l’horizon 2010. Suite à la suspension du processus d’unification monétaire en mai 2010 et au regain de l’euroscepticisme, cet article étudie les perspectives d’avenir du projet des pays du golfe Persique qui s’apprêtaient à former la deuxième union monétaire mondiale par la taille, en étudiant les structures économiques des monarchies du CCG, la synchronisation de leurs cycles économiques et l’optimalité de la zone monétaire. La viabilité de la future union monétaire est également évaluée à travers la parité du pouvoir d’achat (PPA) généralisée, afin d’étudier le comportement de long terme des taux de change réels.
Le Canada et l’austérité expansionniste dans les années quatre-vingt-dix : un « succès » macroéconomique à revisiter ?
Authors: Charles Sébastien , Dallery Thomas
Published: June 2014

Dans cet article nous étudions l’évolution et la soutenabilité de l’endettement public au Canada à l’aide de la méthodologie comptable proposée par Pasinetti (1998). Nous montrons dans quelle mesure la politique d’austérité décidée par le gouvernement canadien lors de la première moitié des années quatre-vingt-dix a pu faire croire à ce que certains économistes nomment l’austérité expansionniste. Ainsi, nous dévoilons un large faisceau de circonstances « bienheureuses » ayant empêché une récession économique. Au regard de ces différents éléments, nous précisons pourquoi le Canada ne devrait pas constituer un exemple à suivre aveuglément en matière de consolidation budgétaire.
Thrombospondin-4 controls matrix assembly during development and repair of myotendinous junctions
Authors: Subramanian Arul , Schilling Thomas F
Published: June 2014

Tendons are extracellular matrix (ECM)-rich structures that mediate muscle attachments with the skeleton, but surprisingly little is known about molecular mechanisms of attachment. Individual myofibers and tenocytes in Drosophila interact through integrin (Itg) ligands such as Thrombospondin (Tsp), while vertebrate muscles attach to complex ECM fibrils embedded with tenocytes. We show for the first time that a vertebrate thrombospondin, Tsp4b, is essential for muscle attachment and ECM assembly at myotendinous junctions (MTJs). Tsp4b depletion in zebrafish causes muscle detachment upon contraction due to defects in laminin localization and reduced Itg signaling at MTJs. Mutation of its oligomerization domain renders Tsp4b unable to rescue these defects, demonstrating that pentamerization is required for ECM assembly. Furthermore, injected human TSP4 localizes to zebrafish MTJs and rescues muscle detachment and ECM assembly in Tsp4b-deficient embryos. Thus Tsp4 functions as an ECM scaffold at MTJs, with potential therapeutic uses in tendon strengthening and repair.
The ins and outs of breathing
Authors: Ramirez Jan-Marino , Anderson Tatiana M , Garcia Alfredo J
Published: June 2014

Distinct populations of neurons within the brainstem are responsible for generating and coordinating the rhythmic patterns of neural activity that underlie breathing.
Calibration of sea ice dynamic parameters in an ocean‐sea ice model using an ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Massonnet F. , Goosse H. , Fichefet T. , Counillon F.
Published: June 2014

The choice of parameter values is crucial in the course of sea ice model development, since parameters largely affect the modeled mean sea ice state. Manual tuning of parameters will soon become impractical, as sea ice models will likely include more parameters to calibrate, leading to an exponential increase of the number of possible combinations to test. Objective and automatic methods for parameter calibration are thus progressively called on to replace the traditional heuristic, “trial‐and‐error” recipes. Here a method for calibration of parameters based on the ensemble Kalman filter is implemented, tested and validated in the ocean‐sea ice model NEMO‐LIM3. Three dynamic parameters are calibrated: the ice strength parameter P*, the ocean‐sea ice drag parameter Cw, and the atmosphere‐sea ice drag parameter Ca. In twin, perfect‐model experiments, the default parameter values are retrieved within 1 year of simulation. Using 2007–2012 real sea ice drift data, the calibration of the ice strength parameter P* and the oceanic drag parameter Cw improves clearly the Arctic sea ice drift properties. It is found that the estimation of the atmospheric drag Ca is not necessary if P* and Cw are already estimated. The large reduction in the sea ice speed bias with calibrated parameters comes with a slight overestimation of the winter sea ice areal export through Fram Strait and a slight improvement in the sea ice thickness distribution. Overall, the estimation of parameters with the ensemble Kalman filter represents an encouraging alternative to manual tuning for ocean‐sea ice models.
Composition and flux of explosive gas release at LUSI mud volcano (East Java, Indonesia)
Authors: Vanderkluysen Loÿc , Burton Michael R. , Clarke Amanda B. , Hartnett Hilairy E. , Smekens Jean‐François
Published: June 2014

The LUSI mud volcano has been erupting since May 2006 in the densely populated Sidoarjo regency (East Java, Indonesia), forcing the evacuation of 40,000 people and destroying industry, farmland, and over 10,000 homes. Mud extrusion rates of 180,000 m3 d−1 were measured in the first few months of the eruption, decreasing to a loosely documented <20,000 m3 d−1 in 2012. The last few years of activity have been characterized by periodic short‐lived eruptive bursts. In May and October 2011, we documented this activity using high‐resolution time‐lapse photography, open‐path FTIR, and thermal infrared imagery. Gases (98% water vapor, 1.5% carbon dioxide, 0.5% methane) were periodically released by the bursting of bubbles approximately 3 m in diameter which triggered mud fountains to ∼10 m and gas plumes to hundreds of meters above the vent. During periods of quiescence (1–3 min), no appreciable gas seepage occurred. We estimate that LUSI releases approximately 2300 t yr−1 of methane, 30,000 t yr−1 of CO2, and 800,000 t yr−1 of water vapor. Gas bubble nucleation depths are >4000 m for methane and approximately 600 m for carbon dioxide; however, the mass fractions of these gases are insufficient to explain the observed dynamics. Rather, the primary driver of the cyclic bubble‐bursting activity is decompressional boiling of water, which initiates a few tens of meters below the surface, setting up slug flow in the upper conduit. Our measured gas flux and conceptual model lead to a corresponding upper‐bound estimate for the mud‐water mass flux of 105 m3 d−1.
Momentum balance of katabatic flow on steep slopes covered with short vegetation
Authors: Oldroyd Holly J. , Katul Gabriel , Pardyjak Eric R. , Parlange Marc B.
Published: June 2014

Katabatic flows over alpine mountainous terrain differ from their forested or bare slope counterparts due to the presence of well‐ventilated, short vegetation. The impact of a grass canopy and larger‐scale pressure perturbations on the one‐dimensional mean momentum balance is explored via theory and field measurements. The model presented here reproduces the measured velocity jet shape and turbulent flux gradients. These two features imply that even when Monin‐Obuhkov similarity theory breaks down, its use for a stability adjusted mixing length remains effective to first order. Results reveal that outer layer pressure effects can be significant under low‐speed wind conditions at the top of the thin katabatic layer when larger variations in the wind direction are observed. An analytical expression to estimate the jet height, which can be utilized in large‐scale weather prediction models, shows the importance of including canopy effects for the thin katabatic flow region above the vegetation.
A surfzone morphological diffusivity estimated from the evolution of excavated holes
Authors: Moulton Melissa , Elgar Steve , Raubenheimer Britt
Published: June 2014

Downslope gravity‐driven sediment transport smooths steep nearshore bathymetric features, such as channels, bars, troughs, cusps, mounds, pits, scarps, and bedforms. Downslope transport appears approximately as a diffusive term in the sediment continuity equation predicting changes in bed level, with a morphological diffusivity controlling the rate of seafloor smoothing. Despite the importance of surfzone sediment transport and morphological evolution, the size of the downslope transport term in nearshore models varies widely, and theories have not been tested with field measurements. Here observations of the infill of large excavated holes in an energetic inner surf zone provide the first opportunity to infer the morphological diffusivity in the field. The estimated diffusion coefficient is consistent with a theoretical bedload morphological diffusivity that scales with the three‐halves power of the representative bed shear stress.
Volatility dependence of Henry's law constants of condensable organics: Application to estimate depositional loss of secondary organic aerosols
Authors: Hodzic A. , Aumont B. , Knote C. , Lee‐Taylor J. , Madronich S. , Tyndall G.
Published: June 2014

The water solubility of oxidation intermediates of volatile organic compounds that can condense to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is largely unconstrained in current chemistry‐climate models. We apply the Generator of Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere to calculate Henry's law constants for these intermediate species. Results show a strong negative correlation between Henry's law constants and saturation vapor pressures. Details depend on precursor species, extent of photochemical processing, and NOx levels. Henry's law constants as a function of volatility are made available over a wide range of vapor pressures for use in 3‐D models. In an application using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) over the U.S. in summer, we find that dry (and wet) deposition of condensable organic vapors leads to major reductions in SOA, decreasing surface concentrations by ~50% (10%) for biogenic and ~40% (6%) for short chain anthropogenic precursors under the considered volatility conditions.
Underpinning tectonic reconstructions of the western Mediterranean region with dynamic slab evolution from 3‐D numerical modeling
Authors: Chertova M. V. , Spakman W. , Geenen T. , van den Berg A. P. , van Hinsbergen D. J. J.
Published: June 2014

No consensus exists on the tectonic evolution of the western Mediterranean since ~35 Ma. Three disparate tectonic evolution scenarios are identified, each portraying slab rollback as the driving mechanism but with rollback starting from strongly different subduction geometries. As a critical test for the validity of each tectonic scenario we employ thermomechanical modeling of the 3‐D subduction evolution. From each tectonic scenario we configure an initial condition for numerical modeling that mimics the perceived subduction geometry at ~35 Ma. We seek to optimize the fit between observed and predicted slab morphology by varying the nonlinear viscoplastic rheology for mantle, slab, and continental margins. From a wide range of experiments we conclude that a tectonic scenario that starts from NW dipping subduction confined to the Balearic margin at ~35 Ma is successful in predicting present‐day slab morphology. The other two scenarios (initial subduction from Gibraltar to the Baleares and initial subduction under the African margin) lead to mantle structure much different from what is tomographically imaged. The preferred model predicts slab rotation by more than 180°, east‐west lithosphere tearing along the north African margin and a resulting steep east dipping slab under the Gibraltar Strait. The preferred subduction model also meets the first‐order temporal constraints corresponding to Mid‐Miocene (~16 Ma) thrusting of the Kabylides onto the African margin and nearly stalled subduction under the Rif‐Gibraltar‐Betic arc since the Tortonian (~8 Ma). Our modeling also provides constraints on the rheological properties of the mantle and slab, and of continental margins in the region.
Cholera in the Lake Kivu region (DRC): Integrating remote sensing and spatially explicit epidemiological modeling
Authors: Finger Flavio , Knox Allyn , Bertuzzo Enrico , Mari Lorenzo , Bompangue Didier , Gatto Marino , Rodriguez‐Iturbe Ignacio , Rinaldo Andrea
Published: June 2014

Mathematical models of cholera dynamics can not only help in identifying environmental drivers and processes that influence disease transmission, but may also represent valuable tools for the prediction of the epidemiological patterns in time and space as well as for the allocation of health care resources. Cholera outbreaks have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the 1970s. They have been ravaging the shore of Lake Kivu in the east of the country repeatedly during the last decades. Here we employ a spatially explicit, inhomogeneous Markov chain model to describe cholera incidence in eight health zones on the shore of the lake. Remotely sensed data sets of chlorophyll a concentration in the lake, precipitation and indices of global climate anomalies are used as environmental drivers in addition to baseline seasonality. The effect of human mobility is also modelled mechanistically. We test several models on a multiyear data set of reported cholera cases. The best fourteen models, accounting for different environmental drivers, and selected using the Akaike information criterion, are formally compared via proper cross validation. Among these, the one accounting for seasonality, El Niño Southern Oscillation, precipitation and human mobility outperforms the others in cross validation. Some drivers (such as human mobility and rainfall) are retained only by a few models, possibly indicating that the mechanisms through which they influence cholera dynamics in the area will have to be investigated further.
Global‐scale assessment of groundwater depletion and related groundwater abstractions: Combining hydrological modeling with information from well observations and GRACE satellites
Authors: Döll Petra , Müller Schmied Hannes , Schuh Carina , Portmann Felix T. , Eicker Annette
Published: June 2014

Groundwater depletion (GWD) compromises crop production in major global agricultural areas and has negative ecological consequences. To derive GWD at the grid cell, country, and global levels, we applied a new version of the global hydrological model WaterGAP that simulates not only net groundwater abstractions and groundwater recharge from soils but also groundwater recharge from surface water bodies in dry regions. A large number of independent estimates of GWD as well as total water storage (TWS) trends determined from GRACE satellite data by three analysis centers were compared to model results. GWD and TWS trends are simulated best assuming that farmers in GWD areas irrigate at 70% of optimal water requirement. India, United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and China had the highest GWD rates in the first decade of the 21st century. On the Arabian Peninsula, in Libya, Egypt, Mali, Mozambique, and Mongolia, at least 30% of the abstracted groundwater was taken from nonrenewable groundwater during this time period. The rate of global GWD has likely more than doubled since the period 1960–2000. Estimated GWD of 113 km3/yr during 2000–2009, corresponding to a sea level rise of 0.31 mm/yr, is much smaller than most previous estimates. About 15% of the globally abstracted groundwater was taken from nonrenewable groundwater during this period. To monitor recent temporal dynamics of GWD and related water abstractions, GRACE data are best evaluated with a hydrological model that, like WaterGAP, simulates the impact of abstractions on water storage, but the low spatial resolution of GRACE remains a challenge.
Fiber‐Based Wearable Electronics: A Review of Materials, Fabrication, Devices, and Applications
Authors: Zeng Wei , Shu Lin , Li Qiao , Chen Song , Wang Fei , Tao Xiao‐Ming
Published: June 2014

Fiber‐based structures are highly desirable for wearable electronics that are expected to be light‐weight, long‐lasting, flexible, and conformable. Many fibrous structures have been manufactured by well‐established lost‐effective textile processing technologies, normally at ambient conditions. The advancement of nanotechnology has made it feasible to build electronic devices directly on the surface or inside of single fibers, which have typical thickness of several to tens microns. However, imparting electronic functions to porous, highly deformable and three‐dimensional fiber assemblies and maintaining them during wear represent great challenges from both views of fundamental understanding and practical implementation. This article attempts to critically review the current state‐of‐arts with respect to materials, fabrication techniques, and structural design of devices as well as applications of the fiber‐based wearable electronic products. In addition, this review elaborates the performance requirements of the fiber‐based wearable electronic products, especially regarding the correlation among materials, fiber/textile structures and electronic as well as mechanical functionalities of fiber‐based electronic devices. Finally, discussions will be presented regarding to limitations of current materials, fabrication techniques, devices concerning manufacturability and performance as well as scientific understanding that must be improved prior to their wide adoption.
Polarization Resolved Measurements of Individual DNA‐Stabilized Silver Clusters
Authors: Markešević Nemanja , Oemrawsingh Sumant S. R. , Schultz Danielle , Gwinn Elisabeth G. , Bouwmeester Dirk
Published: June 2014

Polarization‐resolved excitation and emission measurements on individual 10–15 atom silver clusters formed on DNA are presented. The emission is highly linearly polarized, typically around 90% for all emitters, whereas the polarization dependence of the excitation strongly varies from emitter to emitter. These observations support the hypothesis that the luminescence arises from collective electron oscillations along rod‐shaped silver clusters, whereas the excitation process does not necessarily have a strong preferential polarization direction and thus may involve energy and/or charge transfer between the cluster and DNA. In addition to stabilizing the clusters, the DNA also appears to strongly influence the available paths for excitation.
Genuine Geruchssignaturen der Natur – Perspektiven aus der Lebensmittelchemie für die Biotechnologie
Authors: Dunkel Andreas , Steinhaus Martin , Kotthoff Matthias , Nowak Bettina , Krautwurst Dietmar , Schieberle Peter , Hofmann Thomas
Published: June 2014

Die Geruchsqualitäten natürlicher Duftobjekte werden durch die geruchsstoffinduzierten Aktivierungsmuster olfaktorischer Rezeptoren definiert. Die Meta‐Analyse in diesem Aufsatz zeigt, dass von den bislang ca. 10 000 in Lebensmitteln identifizierten flüchtigen Verbindungen nur ca. 230 zu den genuinen Schlüsselgeruchsstoffen zählen und der typische Geruch von Lebensmitteln durch das charakteristische Verhältnis von nur 3–40 dieser Verbindungen kodiert wird. Dies lässt auf eine Coevolution natürlicher Geruchsstoffmoleküle unserer Nahrung und der etwa 400 humanen Geruchsrezeptorproteine schließen. Der Aufsatz gibt einen Überblick über die genuinen Signaturen natürlicher Geruchsobjekte und die chemische Geruchskodierung von mehr als 220 Lebensmitteln. Es werden biotechnologische Perspektiven für die Herstellung biomimetischer Rekombinate diskutiert, mit denen erstmals die authentische Rekonstruktion natürlicher Geruchssignaturen zur Verwendung in Aromen und Parfüms, biomedizinischen Applikationen, virtuellen Umgebungen oder humanoiden bioelektronischen Nasen möglich wird.
Von einem α‐funktionalisierten siliciumstereogenen N,O‐Silan zu einem monomeren tetrakoordinierten tBuLi‐Addukt mit lithiumzentrierter Chiralität
Authors: Bauer Jonathan O. , Strohmann Carsten
Published: June 2014

Donorfunktionalisierte Silane mit stereogenen Siliciumzentren sind bislang äußerst selten. Hier präsentieren wir nun eine stereokontrollierte Route zu einer Stickstoff‐Sauerstoff‐funktionalisierten siliciumchiralen Verbindung mit zusätzlicher Aminomethylfunktion. Dieses Silan wurde auf direktem Wege in stereochemisch reiner Form über eine nucleophile Substitutionsreaktion gewonnen. Die einzigartige Asymmetrie des Silans und die Anwesenheit von drei Donorfunktionen machten es möglich, die erste monomere Butyllithiumverbindung mit lithiumzentrierter Chiralität zu isolieren und ihr durch Einkristallröntgenstrukturanalyse eine definierte Konfiguration zuzuordnen. Der [Silan⋅tBuLi]‐Komplex unterliegt in Toluol einer unerwarteten Reaktionsfolge aus Deprotonierung und stereospezifischer Substitution, was schließlich zur Eintopfsynthese eines funktionalisierten siliciumchiralen Benzylsilans unter Inversion der Konfiguration und vollständiger Erhaltung der stereochemischen Integrität am Siliciumzentrum führte.