bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication and Collaboration in an International Early Years Setting
Authors: Brinn Michelle
Published: May 2012

The influence of social constructivism in early years care and education has highlighted the need for greater levels of dialogue and meaningful collaboration between professionals, families and communities. However, the term ‘collaboration’ can be interpreted along a wide spectrum of meaning. This discussion explores two different attempts to engage in cross-cultural collaboration within a large international school in Bangkok. It notes that certain educational discourses impede dialogic collaboration. Deconstructing these discourses at an individual level can produce greater understanding between disparate parties but may not promote sustained dialogic change. However, the cooperative exploration of working practices and their subsequent replacement with new rules and traditions may achieve something more akin to dialogic collaboration. It is concluded that differing interpretations of collaboration demand different responses from individuals and institutions. Furthermore, whilst definitions of collaboration from either end of the spectrum may enhance understanding and working practices between disparate parties, it may be that only dialogic collaboration has the ability to initiate truly egalitarian change.
To Hell with Manifestos
Authors: Brooks Daniel
Published: May 2012

Daniel Brooks of Necessary Angel writes a lyrical dismissal of manifestos and shares some advice for theatre artists along the way.
A Statement of Objectives (and a Conversation)
Authors: Pizano Beatriz , Schwellnus Trevor
Published: May 2012

Aluna Theatre has developed its art practice through strategies that bring diversity to the forefront. Theatrical representation brings with it the question of responsibility to the cultures, concerns, stories, and people implicated in a given work. Given that in any one theatre audience nearly every racial, religious, and economic demographic is a possible audience, and that awareness of difference is more common in the Internet age than ever before, we are experiencing a shift in how our culture imagines the "Other". In reaction to this, we are seeking a dramaturgy of honesty and social justice, which therefore embraces collaboration as its key task, and one that speaks to the contemporary mind in a current artistic language.
Manifesto in a Cup
Authors:   Suitcase in Point
Published: May 2012

In a caffeine-fuelled burst of inspiration, St. Catharines' Suitcase in Point shares some pithy prose about what drives their community-centred work.
Why a Linguistic Minority Theatre is Essential: A Manifesto
Authors: Blais-Dahlem Madeleine
Published: May 2012

There is a thriving Fransaskois theatre scene in Saskatchewan and Madeleine Blais-Dahlem reveals how a linguistic minority theatre has produced its own audience base and made itself an indispensible part of the local culture.
Learning the Bassadanza from a Wolf: Andrea Calmo and Dance
Authors: Nevile Jennifer
Published: May 2012

For Roberto Pettini

Important information about dancing and social values is sometimes found in unexpected places, such as the letters of Andrea Calmo, a sixteenth-century Venetian actor and playwright. These letters not only provide corroboration of information and attitudes to dance contained in the sixteenth-century Italian dance treatises, but also highlight how dance was regarded by a member of the middle-classes in Venice. As well as having a general appreciation of dance, which he saw as an enjoyable and moral activity, Calmo was knowledgeable about dance specifics and accurate in his use of dance terminology. In fact, Calmo's knowledge of dance practices was extensive enough to enable him to use specific dance references as a tool in creating the humour in his letters. His references to dances and dance steps also look back to the fifteenth-century Italian practice, and these references provide further information on the unresolved question as to the length of time quattrocento dances continued to be popular in the succeeding century.
Epidermal to Mesenchymal Transition and Failure of EGFR-Targeted Therapy in Glioblastoma
Authors: Pala Andrej , Karpel-Massler Georg , Kast Richard Eric , Wirtz Christian Rainer , Halatsch Marc-Eric
Published: May 2012

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common primary brain tumor in adults, is almost never curable with the current standard treatment consisting of surgical resection, irradiation and temozolomide. The prognosis remains poor despite undisputable advances in the understanding of this tumor’s molecular biology and pathophysiology, which unfortunately has so far failed to translate into a meaningful clinical benefit. Dysregulation and a resulting prominent pathophysiological role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been identified in several different malignant tumor entities, GBM among them. The EGFR is overexpressed in about 40% of GBM cases, and half of these coexpress a mutant, constitutively activated subtype, EGFRvIII. Unfortunately, recent trials studying with therapeutic approaches targeted against the EGFR and EGFRvIII have failed to meet expectations, with only a minority of patients responding despite evidence of good in vitro and rodent model activity. Having potentially high relevance within this context, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a phenomenon associated with early stages of carcinogenesis, cancer invasion and recurrence. During EMT, epithelial cells lose many of their epithelial characteristics, prominently E-cadherin expression, and acquire properties that are typical for mesenchymal cells such as the expression of vimentin. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition has been specifically demonstrated in GBM. In this review, we summarize the evidence that EMT may precipitate GBM resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy, and may thus be among the principal factors contributing to the clinical failure of targeted therapy against EGFR and EGFRvIII.
Security Analysis in the Migration to Cloud Environments
Authors: Rosado David G. , Gómez Rafael , Mellado Daniel , Fernández-Medina Eduardo
Published: May 2012

Cloud computing is a new paradigm that combines several computing concepts and technologies of the Internet creating a platform for more agile and cost-effective business applications and IT infrastructure. The adoption of Cloud computing has been increasing for some time and the maturity of the market is steadily growing. Security is the question most consistently raised as consumers look to move their data and applications to the cloud. We justify the importance and motivation of security in the migration of legacy systems and we carry out an analysis of different approaches related to security in migration processes to cloud with the aim of finding the needs, concerns, requirements, aspects, opportunities and benefits of security in the migration process of legacy systems.
Metabolic Difference of CZ48 in Human and Mouse Liver Microsomes
Authors: Liu Xing , DeJesus Albert , Cao Zhisong , Vardeman Dana , Giovanella Beppino
Published: May 2012

CZ48, chemically camptothecin-20-O-propionate hydrate, is currently under clinical investigation. The kinetics of the metabolite camptothecin (CPT) formation and of CZ48 depletion in mouse and human liver microsomes in the presence or absence of NADPH was examined. The formation rate of camptothecin in human liver microsomes was significantly higher than that in mouse with mean Kms of 1.9 and 0.5 nM and Vmaxs of 9.3 and 2.2 pmol/min/mg, respectively. However, the apparent intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) ratios for camptothecin in human and mouse liver microsomes were not significantly different from each other (4.9 versus 4.4) in the presence of NADPH. The depletion of CZ48 in human microsomes was four times faster with 4.55% of CZ48 remaining intact while in mouse 19.11% of the drug remained unchanged after 60 min. These results suggest that there is a remarkable species difference of CZ48 biotransformation between human and mouse. The depletion rate of CZ48 in human liver microsomes is considerably higher than that in the mouse.
Two New Cembrane-Based Diterpenoids from the Marine Soft Coral Sinularia crassa
Authors: Lin Yun-Sheng , Lee Nai-Lun , Lu Mei-Chin , Su Jui-Hsin
Published: May 2012

Two new cembrane diterpenes, sicrassarines A and B (compounds 1 and 2), were isolated from the Taiwanese soft coral Sinularia crassa. The structures of the new metabolites were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, particularly mass spectroscopy and 2D NMR (1H–1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopy.
Towards a Global History of Voting: Sovereignty, the Diffusion of Ideas, and the Enchanted Individual
Authors: Gilmartin David
Published: May 2012

This article suggests a framework for moving toward a global history of voting and democracy that focuses less on the diffusion of European ideas (however important those ideas were) than on embedding the history of voting within a worldwide history of ideas on sovereignty. The article posits a general framework for such a history focusing on a “conundrum of sovereignty” grounding legitimate rule in a space imagined as simultaneously within and outside worldly society. Rooted in a “secular theology” such ideas shaped in the 19th and 20th centuries the establishment of systems of mass voting (including the secret ballot), and the sovereignty of the “people” both in Europe and other parts of the world alike, in the process producing an image of the individual voter as an “enchanted individual.” The article looks at developments within Europe and in India in these terms.1
Advances in Disaster Modeling, Simulation and Visualization for Sandstorm Risk Management in North China
Authors: Lin Zhaohui , Levy Jason K. , Lei Hang , Bell Michelle L.
Published: May 2012

Dust storms in North China result in high concentrations of airborne dust particles, which cause detrimental effects on human health as well as social and economic losses and environmental degradation. To investigate the impact of land surface processes on dust storms, we simulate two dust storm events in North China during spring 2002 using two versions of a dust storm prediction system developed by the Institute for Atmospheric Physics (IAP) in Beijing, China. The primary difference between the IAP Sandstorm Prediction System (IAPS 1.0) and more recent version (IAPS 2.0) is the land surface modeling. IAPS 1.0 is based on the Oregon State University (OSU) land surface model, whereas the latest version of the dust storm prediction (IAPS 2.0) uses NOAH land surface schemes for land surface modeling within a meteorological model, MM5. This work investigates whether the improved land surface modeling affects modeling of sandstorms. It is shown that an integrated sandstorm management system can be used to aid the following tasks: ensure sandstorm monitoring and warning; incorporate weather forecasts; ascertain the risk of a sandstorm disaster; integrate multiple technologies (for example, GIS, remote sensing, and information processing technology); track the progress of the storm in real-time; exhibit flexibility, accuracy and reliability (by using multiple sources of data, including in-situ meteorological observations); and monitor PM10 and PM2.5 dust concentrations in airborne dustfalls. The results indicate that with the new land surface scheme, the simulation of soil moisture is greatly improved, leading to a better estimate of the threshold frictional velocity, a key parameter for the estimating surface dust emissions. In this study, we also discuss specific mechanisms by which land surface processes affect dust storm modeling and make recommendations for further improvements to numerical dust storm simulations.
A Wide Dynamics and Fast Scan Interrogating Method for a Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Network Implemented Using Code Division Multiple Access
Authors: Kim Youngbok , Jeon Sie-Wook , Kwon Won-Bae , Park Chang-Soo
Published: May 2012

We propose and demonstrate a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor network employing the code division multiple access (CDMA) technique to identify information from individual sensors. To detect information without considering time delays between sensors, a sliding correlation method is applied, in which two different signals with the same pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) pattern, but slightly different frequencies, are applied to the source and detector sides. Moreover, for time domain detection, a wavelength-to-time conversion technique using a wavelength dispersive medium is introduced. The experimental results show that the proposed sensor network has a wide strain dynamic range of 2,400 μe and a low crosstalk of 950:1.
Calcium Oxide Matrices and Carbon Dioxide Sensors
Authors: Terencio Tercio Bezerra Correia , Bavastrello Valter , Nicolini Claudio
Published: May 2012

Homogeneous matrices of calcium oxide (CaO) were prepared by mixing this material with polyethylene glycol (PEG) acting as malleable inert support in order to obtain processable composites. Preliminary tests were carried out to assess the best concentration of CaO in the composite, individuated in the CaO/PEG weight ratio of 1/4. Experimental data highlighted that the composite was able to selectively detect carbon dioxide (CO2) via a nanogravimetric method by performing the experiments inside an atmosphere-controlled chamber filled with CO2. Furthermore, the composite material showed a linear absorption of CO2 as a function of the gas concentration inside the atmosphere-controlled chamber, thus paving the way for the possible use of these matrices for applications in the field of sensor devices for long-term evaluation of accumulated environmental CO2.
An Alternative Approach to Control Measurements of Crane Rails
Authors: Marjetič Aleš , Kregar Klemen , Ambrožič Tomaž , Kogoj Dušan
Published: May 2012

Horizontal and vertical positions of points for the control assessment of crane rails are classically determined separately. The procedure is time consuming and causes non-homogenous accuracy of the horizontal and vertical position of control points. The proposed alternative approach is based on polar measurements using a high accuracy total station instrument and a special platform with two precise surveying prisms fixed on it. Measurements are carried out from a single station thus ensuring a common coordinate system and homogenous accuracy. The position of the characteristic point of a rail is derived from the measured positions of both prisms with known geometry of the platform. The influence of platform non-horizontality is defined, along with its elimination procedure. Accuracy assessment is ensured with redundant measurements. Result of the proposed procedure is a numerical and graphical presentation of characteristic points. The control parameters required in international Eurocode standards are easily determined from them.
An Intelligent Diagnosis Method for Rotating Machinery Using Least Squares Mapping and a Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Li Ke , Chen Peng , Wang Shiming
Published: May 2012

This study proposes a new condition diagnosis method for rotating machinery developed using least squares mapping (LSM) and a fuzzy neural network. The non-dimensional symptom parameters (NSPs) in the time domain are defined to reflect the features of the vibration signals measured in each state. A sensitive evaluation method for selecting good symptom parameters using detection index (DI) is also proposed for detecting and distinguishing faults in rotating machinery. In order to raise the diagnosis sensitivity of the symptom parameters the synthetic symptom parameters (SSPs) are obtained by LSM. Moreover, possibility theory and the Dempster & Shafer theory (DST) are used to process the ambiguous relationship between symptoms and fault types. Finally, a sequential diagnosis method, using sequential inference and a fuzzy neural network realized by the partially-linearized neural network (PLNN), is also proposed, by which the conditions of rotating machinery can be identified sequentially. Practical examples of fault diagnosis for a roller bearing are shown to verify that the method is effective.
Valeur évidentielle et/ou modale de faut croire , on dirait et paraît
Authors: Rossari Corinne
Published: May 2012

Notre propos est de cerner la façon dont une valeur évidentielle peut se forger en se fondant sur l’analyse des propriétés syntaxiques, sémantiques et discursives de trois expressions ( faut croire , on dirait et paraît ) dont la composition lexicale combine diverses formes modales. Notre analyse montrera que la valeur évidentielle n’est jamais première, mais issue d’une conjonction de facteurs. Ils ont trait (i) au sens de base des verbes avec lesquels ces expressions sont construites, (ii) à la valeur modale qu’elles intègrent, ainsi que (iii) à la valeur confirmative issue de leur possible emploi dialogique.
Une didactique du français adaptée aux situations de créolophonie : le cas de la Martinique
Authors: Bellonie Jean-David
Published: May 2012

Dans cet article, on fournit plusieurs éléments de réflexion relatifs à l’adaptation de la didactique du français en Martinique. Les pistes de travail proposées s’appuient sur des recherches de terrain mettant en relation sociolinguistique et didactique. On s’intéresse en particulier à l’analyse des prépositions locatives. Les réflexions livrées ici se veulent aussi une contribution aux travaux récents menés par des chercheurs et des formateurs dans le cadre d’un programme de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie portant notamment sur l’apprentissage du français en contexte créolophone.
Influence of Avatar Choice on Teacher Expectations and Perceptions of Student Success
Authors: Beck Dennis
Published: May 2012

The gender and ethnicity of students have been shown to affect teacher expectations. As part of a Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE), people socially interact via avatars that have the capability to be customized to details of ethnicity and gender. Teachers in MUVEs instruct students with little knowledge of potential biases and prejudices toward avatars of different genders and ethnicities. This study’s purpose was to examine the influence of student avatar choice of gender and ethnicity on teachers’ expectations. Teachers were asked to review a transcript, image, and video of a student avatar and then respond about the student’s intellectual and relational abilities. Results indicate that avatar gender and ethnicity influence teachers’ expectations. Results may help teachers discover potential biases and prejudices toward some student avatars, as well as level the playing field for student avatars of differing genders and ethnicities.
MMORPG Roles, Civic Participation and Leadership Among Generation Y
Authors: Hartshorne Richard , VanFossen Phillip J. , Friedman Adam
Published: May 2012

The notion of an ‘effective citizen’ is very complex and has very different meanings for varying individuals. However, the development of an effective citizenry is critical for a democratic society to thrive. One potential method of developing an effective citizenry is through the use of MMORPGs in civic education. In this paper, the authors report the results of a survey of the civic engagement and civic participation of college student players of the massively multi-player online role playing game (MMORPG) World of Warcraft (WoW). Findings indicate that respondents reported being more civically engaged than other segments of the population within the same age-range. Lastly, the authors explore the implications of the results and the potential of MMORPGs for developing an effective citizenry.
The Non-Ig Parts of the VpreB and λ5 Proteins of the Surrogate Light Chain Play Opposite Roles in the Surface Representation of the Precursor B Cell Receptor
Authors: Knoll Marko , Yanagisawa Yuki , Simmons Szandor , Engels Niklas , Wienands Jürgen , Melchers Fritz , Ohnishi Kazuo
Published: May 2012

The VpreB and λ5 proteins, together with Igμ-H chains, form precursor BCRs (preBCRs). We established λ5−/−/VpreB1−/−/VpreB2−/− Abelson virus-transformed cell lines and reconstituted these cells with λ5 and VpreB in wild-type form or with a deleted non-Ig part. Whenever preBCRs had the non-Ig part of λ5 deleted, surface deposition was increased, whereas deletion of VpreB non-Ig part decreased it. The levels of phosphorylation of Syk, SLP65, or PLC-γ2, and of Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores, stimulated by μH chain crosslinking Ab were dependent on the levels of surface-bound preBCRs. It appears that VpreB probes the fitness of newly generated VH domains of IgH chains for later pairing with IgL chains, and its non-Ig part fixes the preBCRs on the surface. By contrast, the non-Ig part of λ5 crosslinks preBCRs for downregulation and stimulation.
IL-17 and TNF-α Sustain Neutrophil Recruitment during Inflammation through Synergistic Effects on Endothelial Activation
Authors: Griffin Gabriel K. , Newton Gail , Tarrio Margarite L. , Bu De-xiu , Maganto-Garcia Elena , Azcutia Veronica , Alcaide Pilar , Grabie Nir , Luscinskas Francis W. , Croce Kevin J. , Lichtman Andrew H.
Published: May 2012

IL-17A (IL-17) is the signature cytokine produced by Th17 cells and has been implicated in host defense against infection and the pathophysiology of autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease. Little is known, however, about the influence of IL-17 on endothelial activation and leukocyte influx to sites of inflammation. We hypothesized that IL-17 would induce a distinct pattern of endothelial activation and leukocyte recruitment when compared with the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ. We found that IL-17 alone had minimal activating effects on cultured endothelium, whereas the combination of TNF-α and IL-17 produced a synergistic increase in the expression of both P-selectin and E-selectin. Using intravital microscopy of the mouse cremaster muscle, we found that TNF-α and IL-17 also led to a synergistic increase in E-selectin–dependent leukocyte rolling on microvascular endothelium in vivo. In addition, TNF-α and IL-17 enhanced endothelial expression of the neutrophilic chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL5 and led to a functional increase in leukocyte transmigration in vivo and CXCR2-dependent neutrophil but not T cell transmigration in a parallel-plate flow chamber system. By contrast, endothelial activation with TNF-α and IFN-γ preferentially induced the expression of the integrin ligands ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, as well as the T cell chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5. These effects were further associated with a functional increase in T cell but not neutrophil transmigration under laminar shear flow. Overall, these data show that IL-17 and TNF-α act in a synergistic manner to induce a distinct pattern of endothelial activation that sustains and enhances neutrophil influx to sites of inflammation.
Complement-Dependent Injury and Protection in a Murine Model of Acute Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis
Authors: Schepp-Berglind Jennifer , Atkinson Carl , Elvington Michelle , Qiao Fei , Mannon Peter , Tomlinson Stephen
Published: May 2012

Complement plays a key role in the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases, and in this study, we investigated the role of complement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Compared to wild-type mice, mice deficient in C3 or factor B were protected from acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. C1q/mannose-binding lectin (MBL) double-deficient mice, however, exhibited more severe colitis than wild-type mice. When mice were allowed to recover after DSS treatment, all C1q/MBL−/− mice died by day 2 of recovery period, and, surprisingly, all C3−/− and factor B−/− mice died by day 5. Serum endotoxin levels were significantly increased in complement-deficient mice prior to death, particularly in C1q/MBL−/− mice, and antibiotic treatment prevented the lethal effect of DSS in all complement-deficient mice. In contrast to complement deficiency, targeted complement inhibition with either complement receptor 2 (CR2)-Crry (blocks all pathways at C3 activation) or CR2-factor H (blocks alternative pathway) was highly protective at treating established acute colitis. Endotoxin levels remained low in complement-inhibited mice, and complement inhibition also reduced inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte infiltration, and tissue injury while improving wound repair and mucosal healing. CR2-factor H provided more effective protection than CR2-Crry. Thus, complement has both pathogenic and protective roles in acute DSS-induced colitis, and whereas the alternative pathway appears to play a key role in tissue inflammation and injury, the classical/lectin pathway provides important protection in terms of host defense and wound repair. Targeted inhibition of the alternative pathway may represent a therapeutic modality for treating acute phases of inflammatory bowel disease.
A grounded theory approach to the analysis of sermons on poverty: Congregational projects as social capital
Authors: Pieterse Hennie J.C.
Published: May 2012

This article reported on the second cycle (selective coding) of grounded theory research of sermons on poverty in the South African context, with Matthew 25:31�46 as the sermon text. The problem which the author was researching pertained to the question: How do congregations in the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk) and the Uniting Reformed Church handle the care for the poor in practice? A theoretical sample of congregations with outreach projects to the poor and humble was drawn. After the analysis of the sermons was conducted, the next question to be addressed was: What are the categories and properties of the projects by congregations as the how of the care for the poor? New thinking on the issue of preaching on poverty is necessary because homiletic literature in this field of preaching does not address the how question. The author therefore described a theoretical framework for the interpretation of the projects, as well as an anthropological view of the communication occurring on an equal footing, with the givers in the projects functioning as social capital and the receivers (the poor and humble) as the participants with their own responsibility and freedom. The classification of the projects in categories showed that a wide variety of different types of projects to the poor have emerged from the sermons.
Micronucleus Formation Induced by Biomass Burning Particles Derived From Biomass Burning Induce High Micronucleus Frequency in Tradescantia pallida Assay (TRAD-MN)
Authors: Silva I. C. , Peron M. C. C. , Arbex M. A. , Lichtenfels A. J. F. C. , Lobo D. J. A. , Giocondo M. P. , Macchione M. , Saiki M. , Saldiva P. H. N. , Soares C. P.
Published: May 2012

Manual harvesting is usually done after to sugar cane burning which is responsible for seasonal emission of air pollutants in Brazil and it is believed to be responsible for deleterious health effects in exposed populations. The mutagenic potential of sugar cane burning harvesting particulate and particle surrogates of residual oil fly ash (ROFA) were evaluated in assays measuring micronuclei (MN) in the pollen mother cells of Tradescantia pallida (TRAD-MN). Micronuclei frequencies in TRAD-MN to sugar cane burning residues (SCBR) at doses 0.3 and 0.03 mg/mL were respectively 2.18 ± 0.35 and 5.53 ± 1.04, whereas to ROFA from incinerator and ROFA from an electrostatic precipitator installed in one of the chimneys of a steel plant, MN frequencies were, respectively, 3.43 ± 0.7 and 4.90 ± 1.07. Significant differences were detected among the groups (p < 0.001), demonstrating that SCBR was at least as genotoxic as the fossil fuel derived particles. The results suggest that the burning process to harvest sugar cane should be better controlled.
Biomonitoring of Substrates Containing Sewage Sludge: Assessment of the Feasibility in Using the Diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi
Authors: Fontanetti C. S. , Nogarol L. R. , Souza R. B. , Bozzatto V. , Perez D. G.
Published: May 2012

Due to the constant release of potentially harmful substances in the environment, it is necessary the use of biomonitoring as a form to assess the impact of these substances on animals that inhabit this environment. Therefore, there is a better understanding of the possible effects that these exogenous substances may cause in the organisms present there. In the present study it was verified the feasibility of the use of the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi as bioindicator of impacted soils by their exposition to substrates containing different concentrations of sewage sludge from different Sewage Treatment Stations (STSs). It was observed animals’ behavior and the survival rate was analyzed by log-rank test (p=0,05). The analysis showed that the animals exposed to pure sewage sludge presented higher mortality index than the specimens exposed to different concentrations of the sludge mixed with soil. In general, the survival rate and the analysis of the behavior of the diplopod R. padbergi showed efficiency of this species in biomonitoring impacted soils.
Protocol for Ecological Risk Assessment in Aquatic Environment Considering the Jacuí River Environmental Monitoring Program , São Jerônimo (RS)
Authors: Tallini Karin , Guimarães L. S. P. , Fachel J. M. G. , Rodriguez M. T. R.
Published: May 2012

The contribution of this work is to present protocol for ecological risk assessment in an aquatic environment using data derived from environmental monitoring programs. The location focused by this study was a segment of the Jacuí River, in the town of São Jerônimo – RS, Brazil, which was assessed by applying an environmental monitoring program. The line of evidence recorded from the abiotic compartments surface water and sediments was considered an explanatory variable. The chemical evidence stemmed from the presence of Hg, Pb and Zn, while the ecotoxicological evidence resulted from aquatic toxicity tests using Ceriodaphinia dubia for surface water and Hyalella azteca for sediments. The biological evidence from the Shannon-Weaver index, species richness, equitability and numerical density data in zooplanktonic and benthonic communities was considered the response variable. The ecological risk (Low, Medium, and High) was characterized by the association with environmental quality (Great, Warning, and Critical), established by the lines of evidence recorded. The results have shown that it is possible to use environmental monitoring programs to evaluate of ecological risk assessment, if they have chemical and ecotoxicological data required by environmental laws, and monitoring data of resident biota.
Inhibition of the Brain Cytochrome P450 Aromatase Isoform Expression in Jenynsia multidentata Reflects Changes in Water Quality
Authors: Guyón N. F. , Bistoni M. A. , Wunderlin D. A. , Amé M. V.
Published: May 2012

Cytochrome P450 aromatase is the steroidogenic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Teleosts express two structurally and functionally different P450 aromatase isoforms, termed Cytochrome 19a1a and Cytochrome 19a1b. The first is preferentially expressed in ovary while the second is constitutively expressed in brain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in cyp19a1b expression in brain of Jenynsia multidentata collected in Suquía river (Córdoba, Argentina) in order to assess if this biological response reflects changes in water quality. For this purpose we first identified cyp19a1b parcial cDNA sequence and adjusted the method to quantify mRNA expression by qRT-PCR (quantitative RT-PCR). Then, water and fish samples were collected in five monitoring stations located along a pollution gradient in Suquía river. The qRT-PCR analysis of female brains reveals that cyp19a1b mRNA levels change as water pollution does, showing the highest levels at both unpolluted and recovered areas, with suppression as pollution increases. Even when cyp19a1b expression in J. multidentata will need further studies, the results here presented indicate that this biological response appear as a promising biomarker of water pollution that may also point out the probable presence of endocrine disruptors.
TRATAMIENTOS A SEMILLAS PARA MEJORAR LA GERMINACIÓN DE Colubrina ferruginosa Brong
Authors: Rodríguez-Sosa José Luis , Valdés-Roblejo Yosmel , Rodríguez Lías Reinaldo
Published: May 2012

El logro de la repoblación en trabajos para la rehabilitación de ecosistemas degradados depende del manejo de las semillas de especies forestales. Las semillas de Colubrina ferruginosa Brong poseen una baja capacidad germinativa (40-60 %), lo que dificulta obtener brinzales para la plantación. Se montó un experimento con el objetivo de elevar la capacidad germinativa de C. ferruginosa. El ex¬perimento se efectuó durante 60 días, utilizando semillas cosechadas en febrero de 2002, a razón de 400 por tratamiento. Se evaluaron 10 tratamientos con 4 repeticiones, bajo un diseño completamente aleatorizado; de éstos, nueve consistieron en sumergir las semillas en agua y uno en agua hirviendo por 30 s. Las semillas se colocaron en cajas germinadoras, con un sustrato formado por 30 % de arena y 70 % de aserrín de pino, se cubrieron con una capa del mismo aserrín y se humedecieron con 733 mL de agua diariamente. Los valores de germinación se transformaron con la función arco seno √x/100 y se evaluaron mediante un ANOVA simple. Se comprobó que la germinación se incrementó significa-tivamente en comparación con el tratamiento control (50 %), con inmersiones de 3, 6 y 9 h (76-80 %).
ACCIÓN NEUROPROTECTORA Y NEURORREGENERADORA DE LAS SALES DE ÁCIDOS RESÍNICOS AISLADOS DE COLOFONIA DE CONÍFERAS DEL OCCIDENTE DE CUBA
Authors: Arteaga-Crespo Yasiel , Carballo-Abreu Leila Rosa , Tacoronte-Morales Juan Enrique , Nuñez-Figueredo Yanier
Published: May 2012

Las enfermedades neuropsiquiátricas afectan a más de 10 % de la población cubana y alcanzan 25 % a nivel mundial. La mayoría de los fármacos empleados para el tratamiento de trastornos del sistema nervioso central son costosos y generan severas reacciones colaterales. Actualmente, se desarrollan esfuerzos para la aplicación de metabolitos secundarios como fuentes ecológicamente sostenibles para tratamiento de patologías del sistema nervioso -incluyendo isquemias y otras neuropatologías tipo Parkinson, Alzheimer y trastornos motores de Huntington-, que permitan una neuroprotección efectiva, así como una neurorregeneración en cortos periodos, con mínimas secuelas. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la acción neurorregeneradora y neuroprotectora de la sal de sodio de ácidos resínicos aislados de colofonia de coníferas cubanas; los resultados del estudio sugieren que esta sal puede utilizarse en calidad de precursores estructurales de isoanálogos bioisostéricos con acción terapéutica específica tipo neuroprotectora y neurorregeneradora en el tratamiento de patologías isquémicas.
RELACIONES SOCIOAMBIENTALES ENTRE COMUNIDADES Y ÁREAS NATURALES PROTEGIDAS. RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA CALAKMUL: ENTRE EL CONFLICTO Y LA CONSERVACIÓN
Authors: Sosa-Montes Mauricio , Durán-Ferman Pedro , Hernández-García Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2012

En la Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul (RBC) se ha generado una relación de conflicto entre las comunidades y la Dirección de la Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul (DRBC), porque las relaciones se rigen por un principio en el que la lógica del manejo ambiental subordina a la lógica de quienes han usufructuado los recursos en la región y se manifiesta en restricciones de uso del suelo y actividades productivas. Así, el objetivo de esta investigación fue encontrar las causas principales de dicho conflicto. Para el análisis de las relaciones conflictivas, se usaron indicadores cualitativos que surgieron directamente de la información obtenida mediante la aplicación de cuestionarios estructurados, entrevistas a profundidad y de observación directa. Y para comprobar la validez del análisis cualitativo, se aplicaron dos métodos estadísticos: coeficiente de correlación y componentes principales. Se encontró que el conflicto se debe a que los productores o comunidades rurales no participan en los procesos de planeación y de toma, ejecución y evaluación de las decisiones relacionadas con las acciones que lleva a cabo la DRBC en el área de la RBC.
LA EVALUACIÓN DEL IMPACTO AMBIENTAL Y EL DESARROLLO SUSTENTABLE. ESTUDIO DE CASO SAN PEDRO MIXTEPEC, JUQUILA, OAXACA
Authors: Espinoza-Nájera Carlos , González-Alafita Oliverio , Vargas-Carballo Rigoberto
Published: May 2012

La problemática en materia de impacto ambiental en México está referida a que no se ha realizado una evaluación sobre su efectividad como instrumento de la política ambiental, por lo que es importante conocer si dicho instrumento cumple o coadyuva con los principios básicos del desarrollo sustentable, considerando que debe evolucionar y estar en un proceso de mejora continua. Debe garantizarse, efectivamente, el enfoque preventivo que brinde certeza acerca de la factibilidad ambiental de los diversos proyectos con los cuales se busca promover el desarrollo. En este trabajo se aplicó un sistema de investigación hipotético-deductivo, a través del método empírico descriptivo y correlacional, realizando la recopilación, análisis y evaluación de información existente, principalmente de las manifestaciones de impacto ambiental de proyectos de desarrollo con dictamen técnico, en San Pedro Mixtepec, Juquila, Oaxaca. El resultado demuestra que la información es superficial, y no aporta conocimiento científico sobre los verdaderos impactos que generará el proyecto o actividad al medio ambiente y a los recursos naturales. Se puede concluir que dichos documentos desempeñan un papel preponderante, ya que permiten identificar los impactos ambientales negativos y, al mismo tiempo, armonizar estos efectos aplicando medidas de prevención o mitigación que favorezcan el equilibrio entre el desarrollo y la conservación del ambiente.
PROSPECTIVA FINANCIERA DE LOS SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES DE EL FORTÍN, MUNICIPIO DE ATZALAN, VER.
Authors: Romo-Lozano José Luis , García-Cruz Yanet Biviana , Uribe-Gómez Miguel , Rodríguez-Trejo Dante Arturo
Published: May 2012

La agroforestería es una antigua práctica de uso del suelo que ha cambiado en la comunidad de El Fortín, municipio de Atzalan, Ver., debido a que la gran diversidad de componentes que existía se sim¬plificó en monocultivos de café, cítricos y plátano. Esto trajo como consecuencia la sobreexplotación de los recursos naturales, el incremento de la pobreza y la migración. Ante esta problemática se planteó la presente investigación para estudiar los Sistemas Agroforestales (SAF) existentes en la zona de es¬tudio, bajo la Metodología de Diagnóstico y Diseño (D & D), proponer modificaciones y hacer nuevas propuestas de diseños agroforestales. Como resultado se propusieron tres sistemas agroforestales donde se sugiere un mejor manejo. Las especies consideradas son: melina (Gmelina arborea), pi¬mienta bola (Pimienta dioica), guanábana (Annona muricata), cocolmeca (Smilax aristolochiaefolia) e iquimite (Erythrina poeppigiana), además de pasto insurgente (Brachiaria decumbens). Dichos cam¬bios se respaldaron con las evaluaciones financieras ex post y ex ante realizadas a todos los sistemas estudiados para un periodo de 20 años, a fin de mostrar que estos sistemas pueden proporcionar más ingresos económicos para aminorar la pobreza y la migración y conservar más los recursos naturales en la zona de estudio. Los sistemas agroforestales (agrosilvícolas y silvopastoriles) ex ante superaron por más del 80 % a los ingresos netos que se obtuvieron por los ex post.
Saharan dust event impacts on cloud formation and radiation over Western Europe
Authors: Bangert M. , Nenes A. , Vogel B. , Vogel H. , Barahona D. , Karydis V. A. , Kumar P. , Kottmeier C. , Blahak U.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. We investigated the impact of mineral dust particles on clouds, radiation and atmospheric state during a strong Saharan dust event over Europe in May 2008, applying a comprehensive online-coupled regional model framework that explicitly treats particle microphysics and chemical composition. Sophisticated parameterizations for aerosol activation and ice nucleation, together with two-moment cloud microphysics are used to calculate the interaction of the different particles with clouds depending on their physical and chemical properties. The impact of dust on cloud droplet number concentration was found to be low, with just a slight increase in cloud droplet number concentration for both uncoated and coated dust. For temperatures lower than the level of homogeneous freezing, no significant impact of dust on the number and mass concentration of ice crystals was found, though the concentration of frozen dust particles reached up to 100 l−1 during the ice nucleation events. Mineral dust particles were found to have the largest impact on clouds in a temperature range between freezing level and the level of homogeneous freezing, where they determined the number concentration of ice crystals due to efficient heterogeneous freezing of the dust particles and modified the glaciation of mixed phase clouds. Our simulations show that during the dust events, ice crystals concentrations were increased twofold in this temperature range (compared to if dust interactions are neglected). This had a significant impact on the cloud optical properties, causing a reduction in the incoming short-wave radiation at the surface up to −75 W m−2. Including the direct interaction of dust with radiation caused an additional reduction in the incoming short-wave radiation by 40 to 80 W m−2, and the incoming long-wave radiation at the surface was increased significantly in the order of +10 W m−2. The strong radiative forcings associated with dust caused a reduction in surface temperature in the order of −0.2 to −0.5 K for most parts of France, Germany, and Italy during the dust event. The maximum difference in surface temperature was found in the East of France, the Benelux, and Western Germany with up to −1 K. This magnitude of temperature change was sufficient to explain a systematic bias in numerical weather forecasts during the period of the dust event.
Distributions, long term trends and emissions of four perfluorocarbons in remote parts of the atmosphere and firn air
Authors: Laube J. C. , Hogan C. , Newland M. J. , Mani F. S. , Fraser P. J. , Brenninkmeijer C. A. M. , Martinerie P. , Oram D. E. , Röckmann T. , Schwander J. , Witrant E. , Mills G. P. , Reeves C. E. , Sturges W. T.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. We report the first data set of atmospheric abundances for the following four perfluoroalkanes: n-decafluorobutane (n-C4F10), n-dodecafluoropentane (n-C5F12), n-tetradecafluorohexane (n-C6F14) and n-hexadecafluoroheptane (n-C7F16). All four compounds could be detected and quantified in air samples from remote locations in the Southern Hemisphere (at Cape Grim, Tasmania, archived samples dating back to 1978) and the upper troposphere (a passenger aircraft flying from Germany to South Africa). Further observations originate from air samples extracted from deep firn in Greenland and allow trends of atmospheric abundances in the earlier 20th century to be inferred. All four compounds were not present in the atmosphere prior to the 1960s. n-C4F10 and n-C5F12 were also measured in samples collected in the stratosphere with the data indicating that they have no significant sinks in this region. Emissions were inferred from these observations and found to be comparable with emissions from the EDGAR database for n-C6F14. However, emissions of n-C4F10, n-C5F12 and n-C7F16 were found to differ by up to five orders of magnitude between our approach and the database. Although the abundances of the four perfluorocarbons reported here are currently small (less than 0.3 parts per trillion) they have strong Global Warming Potentials several thousand times higher than carbon dioxide (on a 100-yr time horizon) and continue to increase in the atmosphere. We estimate that the sum of their cumulative emissions reached 325 million metric tonnes CO2 equivalent at the end of 2009.
The dynamic chamber method: trace gas exchange fluxes (NO, NO2, O3) between plants and the atmosphere in the laboratory and in the field
Authors: Breuninger C. , Oswald R. , Kesselmeier J. , Meixner F. X.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. We describe a dynamic chamber system to determine reactive trace gas exchange fluxes between plants and the atmosphere under laboratory and, with small modifications, also under field conditions. The system allows measurements of the flux density of the reactive NO-NO2-O3 triad and additionally of the non-reactive trace gases CO2 and H2O. The chambers are made of transparent and chemically inert wall material and do not disturb plant physiology. For NO2 detection we used a highly NO2 specific blue light converter coupled to chemiluminescence detection of the photolysis product, NO. Exchange flux densities derived from dynamic chamber measurements are based on very small concentration differences of NO2 (NO, O3) between inlet and outlet of the chamber. High accuracy and precision measurements are therefore required, and high instrument sensitivity (limit of detection) and the statistical significance of concentration differences are important for the determination of corresponding exchange flux densities, compensation point concentrations, and deposition velocities. The determination of NO2 concentrations at sub-ppb levels (<1 ppb) requires a highly sensitive NO/NO2 analyzer with a lower detection limit (3σ-definition) of 0.3 ppb or better. Deposition velocities and compensation point concentrations were determined by bi-variate weighted linear least-squares fitting regression analysis of the trace gas concentrations, measured at the inlet and outlet of the chamber. Performances of the dynamic chamber system and data analysis are demonstrated by studies of Picea abies L. (Norway Spruce) under field and laboratory conditions. Our laboratory data show that the quality selection criterion based on the use of only significant NO2 concentration differences has a considerable impact on the resulting compensation point concentrations yielding values closer to zero. The results of field experiments demonstrate the need to consider photo-chemical reactions of NO, NO2, and O3 inside the chamber for the correct determination of the exchange flux densities, deposition velocities, as well as compensation point concentrations. Under our field conditions NO2 deposition velocities would have been overestimated up to 80%, if NO2 photolysis has not been considered. We also quantified the photolysis component for some previous NO2 flux measurements. Neglecting photo-chemical reactions may have changed reported NO2 compensation point concentration by 10%. However, the effect on NO2 deposition velocity was much more intense, ranged between 50 and several hundreds percent. Our findings may have consequences for the results from previous studies and ongoing discussion of NO2 compensation point concentrations.
On the role of ozone in long-term trends in the upper atmosphere-ionosphere system
Authors: Laštovička J.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Origin of long-term trends in the thermosphere-ionosphere system has been discussed since the beginning of trend studies. The two most prioritized explanations have been those via long-term increase of atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases and long-term increase of geomagnetic activity throughout the 20th century. Secular changes of the Earth's main magnetic field play an important role in trends in a limited region. Recently, Walsh and Oliver (2011) suggested that the long-term cooling of the upper thermosphere (above 200 km) may be due largely to the stratospheric ozone depletion. Here, we show that the role of ozone is very important in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere but not in the upper thermosphere. The suggestion of Walsh and Oliver (2011) is based on historical (before 1988) data from Saint-Santin radar, whereas more recent data do not support their conclusion.