bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TISSBERT: A benchmark for the validation and comparison of NDVI time series reconstruction methods
Authors: Julien Y. , Sobrino J. A.
Published: June 2018

This paper introduces the Time Series Simulation for Benchmarking of Reconstruction Techniques (TISSBERT) dataset, intended to provide a benchmark for the validation and comparison of time series reconstruction methods. Such methods are routinely used to estimate vegetation characteristics from optical remotely sensed data, where the presence of clouds decreases the usefulness of the data. As for their validation, these methods have been compared with previously published ones, although with different approaches, which sometimes lead to contradictory results. We designed the TISSBERT dataset to be generic so that it could simulate realistic reference and cloud-contaminated time series at global scale. To that end, we estimated both cloud-free and cloud-contaminated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) statistics for randomly selected control points and each day of the year from the Long Term Data Record Version 4 (LTDR-V4) dataset by assuming different statistical distributions. The best approach was then applied to the whole dataset, and validity of the results were estimated through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic. The dataset elaboration is described thoroughly along with how to use it. The advantages and drawbacks of this dataset are then discussed, which emphasize the realistic simulation of the cloud-contaminated and reference time series. This dataset can be obtained from the authors upon demand. It will be used in a next paper to compare widely used NDVI time series reconstruction methods.
Propiedades psicométricas de un instrumento de motivos de ingreso a carreras universitarias de ciencias de la salud
Authors: Caldera Montes Juan. F. , Reynoso González O.U. , Sughey González Torres Y. , Zamora Betancourt M.R.
Published: June 2018

El  presente  trabajo  de  investigación tuvo  como  propósito  analizar  la validez y confiabilidad del instrumento denominado  “Motivos  de  Ingreso  a las Carreras de Ciencias de la Salud (MICCS)”. El estudio se desarrolló con una muestra  no  probabilística  e  incidental de 194 alumnos de una institución de educación superior del estado de Jalisco, México. Después de abordar la validez de contenido mediante jueces expertos, se ejecutó un análisis factorial exploratorio (método de componentes principales y rotación Varimax) donde se definieron siete dimensiones bajo el criterio de postura teórica e inflexión de la curva de sedimentación. Los índices de KMO (0.788) y  Bartlett  (X(990)=2916.36;  p=0.000) señalaron  un  modelo  apropiado  y  sin esfericidad. Los ítems con inconsistencias teóricas y saturaciones menores a 0.4 fueron  eliminados.  Su  consistencia interna general fue aceptable (α=0.834). La versión final del instrumento quedó conformada de 30 reactivos y seis factores independientes, mostrando propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias. Por último, se contrastaron los motivos de ingreso de las carreras de medicina, enfermería, nutrición y odontología con las variables de sexo, orientación vocacional y tipo de bachillerato. Se propone ampliar la línea de investigación de los motivos de ingreso a carreras de ciencias de la salud mediante el uso de la escala en instituciones de educación superior públicas y privadas; además, se recomienda abordar la posible relación de los motivos de ingreso con variables escolares y psicosociales como el  rendimiento  académico,  el  atraso educativo, la deserción, la satisfacción y el estrés académico.
Formación inicial del profesorado generalista en Chile: Análisis desde la perspectiva de la educación musical
Authors: Angel-Alvarado R.
Published: June 2018

En algunos países occidentales, los programas de formación inicial del profesorado generalista están relegando la  responsabilidad  de  articular  los conocimientos musicales con los pedagógicos a los estudiantes de magisterio. Por lo tanto, en un mismo sistema educativo se estaría generando una  multiplicidad  de  representaciones sobre la educación musical. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la formación pedagógica y musical que imparten las universidades acreditadas chilenas en sus carreras profesionales de Pedagogía General Básica, conforme al currículo nacional para la asignatura de música que establece el Ministerio de Educación de Chile. La Arquitectura Holística para la Educación Musical se emplea como enfoque de investigación. Los resultados muestran que la realidad chilena no es distinta de otros contextos de occidente debido a que se ha puesto en tela de juicio la relevancia que las mismas universidades asignan a la didáctica de la música durante la formación inicial docente. Las conclusiones hacen notar que existirían inconsistencias entre los intereses ministeriales para la asignatura de música y las respuestas epistémicas de las universidades chilenas. Es imperioso entonces que los programas universitarios se ajusten al currículo nacional chileno. Es decir, la formación inicial del profesorado generalista se debería orientar hacia la formación especializada en “educación musical”,  lo  que  implica  dominar tanto competencias musicales como pedagógicas para llevar a cabo la didáctica de la música.
El cine aplicado a la docencia universitaria. Propuesta de secuencia de aprendizaje para Sociología del Trabajo
Authors: Torres Outón S.M.
Published: June 2018

En la actualidad, la aplicación y uso de las nuevas tecnologías se ha generalizado en diferentes ámbitos de nuestra vida, extendiéndose más allá del ocio y entretenimiento, convirtiéndose en una herramienta de trabajo y conocimiento. La cultura audiovisual no se circunscribe a la diversión sino que sustituye/complementa otras formas más tradicionales de transmisión del conocimiento. En este contexto, aparecen nuevas herramientas factibles de convertirse en recursos didácticos para su uso en el entorno docente. En este marco, surge la idea de utilizar el cine como recurso pedagógico. En sí mismo, esta posibilidad no resulta novedosa ya que existen propuestas acciones y experiencias realizadas con objetivos docentes diferentes en todos los niveles educativos. Esta investigación, por tanto, plantea no tanto presentar el cine como recurso didáctico válido sino encontrar una secuencia de aprendizaje que aleje o minimice el riesgo de que la actividad constituya un mero entretenimiento y logre la máxima del conocimiento. El objetivo de este trabajo práctico es enmarcar el visionado de una película como recurso didáctico complementario a otros, dentro de una secuencia de aprendizaje concreta. De este modo, se puso en marcha una iniciativa para abordar el cambio de modelo productivo y sus consecuencias dentro del ámbito de la Sociología del Trabajo utilizando una filmografía previamente seleccionada. La experiencia evidenció que esta actividad contó con el entusiasmo del alumnado, favoreció la lectura de artículos especializados sobre la materia y propició la reflexión individual sobre los conceptos expuestos en el aula.
Aprendizaje y evaluación de competencias en el alumnado universitario de Ciencias Sociales
Authors: Prieto García J.R. , Alarcón Rubio D. , Fernández Portero C.B.
Published: June 2018

En el nuevo Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior el alumnado ejercita sus competencias académicas y profesionales. Desde este en-foque formativo, el aprendizaje desarrolla la adquisición de competencias genéricas como el trabajo en equipo, la capacidad creativa y emprendedora  o  la  capacidad  comunicativa y relacional. Este trabajo profundiza en el aprendizaje y evaluación de competencias en el alumnado universitario de Ciencias Sociales a través de instrumentos mediadores que permiten al mismo, reflexionar sobre las habilidades necesarias para fomentar las competencias orientadas hacia la profesión. La muestra incluye 273 estudiantes universitarios pertenecientes a la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad Pablo Olavide de Sevilla.  A través de una tarea grupal de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP), utilizaron el cuaderno de equipo como instrumento de mediación en la gestión de grupo y una rúbrica en la exposición final de la tarea. El Autoinforme de Interacciones de Grupo (AIG) fue utilizado como instrumento para valorar las competencias genéricas adquiridas por el alumnado. Los resultados muestran una gran disposición del alum-nado en participar en equipos de investigación ejercitando competencias profesionales a través de los instrumentos mediadores. En tareas abiertas  los instrumentos mediadores permiten al alumnado gestionar sus relaciones y adquirir competencias  que son fundamentales para la profesión.
Protocol: Is there agreement or disagreement between the absolute and relative impact indices obtained from the Web of Science and Scopus data?
Authors: Marin-Garcia Juan A. , Alfalla-Luque Rafaela
Published: June 2018

This protocol justifies the relevance of the research questions that will be posed in future research that will address whether there are differences between the classifications of scientific journals depending on the impact factor indicators that are used: WoS (JCR ), and Scopus (CiteScore and SJR) and, if any, to what may be due. At the same time, the process to be followed to capture and analyze the data that will allow us to respond to the stated objectives is described in detail. Finally, the results of a pilot analysis focused on the 21 top journals of International Human Resources Management according to Caligiuri (1999) are presented. In it, we can verify that the correlation between JCR and CiteScore is practically perfect and that the quartiles of Scopus represent in a much more appropriate way than those of JCR the classification of these 21 as top journals of the category. It is still pending to carry out the complete investigation to verify if these results are generalizable to the field of economic and business sciences in global or to other sub-areas of this field.
Novos caminhos para a cenografia diante da evolução tecnológica: o teatro e a realidade aumentada
Authors: Maia Hortênsia Gadelha , Muniz Euler Sobreira
Published: June 2018

O presente artigo tem como objetivo principal mostrar as mudanças ocorridas na cenografia diante das novas técnicas digitais e as oportunidades que surgem a partir delas. Em menor escala, como objetivos específicos, busca mostrar um breve histórico da cenografia, pouco conhecido pelos arquitetos; assim como pouco ensinado nos cursos de arquitetura. Propõe ainda a requalificação da posição do arquiteto como criador cenográfico numa modernidade onde as novas tecnologias abrem um leque de alternativas para o desenho do espaço. Para estimular a discussão sobre a cenografia e o uso dos novos meios digitais foi feita uma análise histórica e uma busca do estado da arte da cenografia. Por meio de estudos de casos é possível observar a influência dos novos meios digitais sobre a cenografia teatral e as possibilidades de alterar o espaço e o enredo da história. Ao estudar a dinâmica de projetar as cenas, é fundamental o extenso trabalho colaborativo de diferentes profissionais. Conclui-se que a cenografia foi na antiguidade e é ainda hoje uma arte coletiva, feita por muitos, onde se ajuntam conhecimentos diferentes para criar uma ambiência efêmera e tocante em cada nova cena. A cenografia possui inúmeras perspectivas para se desenvolver diante de uma sociedade moderna, digital, da informação e do conhecimento.
Microbial community structure in the western tropical South Pacific
Authors: Bock Nicholas , Van Wambeke France , Dion Moïra , Duhamel Solange
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Oligotrophic regions play a central role in global biogeochemical cycles, with microbial communities in
these areas representing an important term in global carbon budgets. While
the general structure of microbial communities has been well documented in
the global ocean, some remote regions such as the western tropical South
Pacific (WTSP) remain fundamentally unexplored. Moreover, the biotic and
abiotic factors constraining microbial abundances and distribution remain not
well resolved. In this study, we quantified the spatial (vertical and
horizontal) distribution of major microbial plankton groups along a transect
through the WTSP during the austral summer of 2015, capturing important
autotrophic and heterotrophic assemblages including cytometrically determined
abundances of non-pigmented protists (also called flagellates). Using
environmental parameters (e.g., nutrients and light availability) as well as
statistical analyses, we estimated the role of bottom–up and top–down
controls in constraining the structure of the WTSP microbial communities in
biogeochemically distinct regions. At the most general level, we found a
“typical tropical structure”, characterized by a shallow mixed layer, a
clear deep chlorophyll maximum at all sampling sites, and a deep nitracline.
Prochlorococcus was especially abundant along the transect,
accounting for 68 ± 10.6 % of depth-integrated phytoplankton
biomass. Despite their relatively low abundances, picophytoeukaryotes (PPE)
accounted for up to 26 ± 11.6 % of depth-integrated phytoplankton
biomass, while Synechococcus accounted for only 6 ± 6.9 %.
Our results show that the microbial community structure of the WTSP is
typical of highly stratified regions, and underline the significant
contribution to total biomass by PPE populations. Strong relationships
between N2 fixation rates and plankton abundances demonstrate the
central role of N2 fixation in regulating ecosystem processes in
the WTSP, while comparative analyses of abundance data suggest microbial
community structure to be increasingly regulated by bottom–up processes
under nutrient limitation, possibly in response to shifts in abundances of
high nucleic acid bacteria (HNA).
Assessing the performance of the BARCAST climate field reconstruction technique for a climate with long-range memory
Authors: Nilsen Tine , Werner Johannes P. , Divine Dmitry V. , Rypdal Martin
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The skill of the state-of-the-art climate field reconstruction technique
BARCAST (Bayesian Algorithm for Reconstructing Climate Anomalies in Space
and Time) to reconstruct temperature with pronounced long-range memory (LRM)
characteristics is tested. A novel technique for generating fields of target
data has been developed and is used to provide ensembles of LRM stochastic
processes with a prescribed spatial covariance structure. Based on different
parameter setups, hypothesis testing in the spectral domain is used to
investigate if the field and spatial mean reconstructions are consistent with
either the fractional Gaussian noise (fGn) process null hypothesis used for
generating the target data, or the autoregressive model of order 1
(AR(1)) process
null hypothesis which is the assumed temporal evolution model for the
reconstruction technique. The study reveals that the resulting field and
spatial mean reconstructions are consistent with the fGn process hypothesis for some
of the tested parameter configurations, while others are in better agreement
with the AR(1) model. There are local differences in reconstruction skill and
reconstructed scaling characteristics between individual grid cells, and the
agreement with the fGn model is generally better for the spatial mean
reconstruction than at individual locations. Our results demonstrate that the
use of target data with a different spatiotemporal covariance structure than
the BARCAST model assumption can lead to a potentially biased climate field reconstruction
(CFR) and associated confidence intervals.
Recent changes of relative humidity: regional connections with land and ocean processes
Authors: Vicente-Serrano Sergio M. , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis , Azorin-Molina Cesar , Drumond Anita , El Kenawy Ahmed , Dominguez-Castro Fernando , Tomas-Burguera Miquel , Peña-Gallardo Marina
Published: June 2018

Abstract. We analyzed changes in surface relative humidity (RH) at the global scale
from 1979 to 2014 using both observations and the ERA-Interim dataset. We
compared the variability and trends in RH with those of land
evapotranspiration and ocean evaporation in moisture source areas across a
range of selected regions worldwide. The sources of moisture for each
particular region were identified by integrating different observational data
and model outputs into a Lagrangian approach. The aim was to account for the
possible role of changes in air temperature over land, in comparison to sea
surface temperature (SST), but also the role of land evapotranspiration and
the ocean evaporation on RH variability. The results demonstrate that the
patterns of the observed trends in RH at the global scale cannot be linked to
a particular individual physical mechanism. Our results also stress that the
different hypotheses that may explain the decrease in RH under a global
warming scenario could act together to explain recent RH trends. Albeit with
uncertainty in establishing a direct causality between RH trends and the
different empirical moisture sources, we found that the observed decrease in
RH in some regions can be linked to lower water supply from land
evapotranspiration. In contrast, the empirical relationships also suggest
that RH trends in other target regions are mainly explained by the dynamic
and thermodynamic mechanisms related to the moisture supply from the oceanic
source regions. Overall, while this work gives insights into the connections
between RH trends and oceanic and continental processes at the global scale,
further investigation is still desired to assess the contribution of both
dynamic and thermodynamic factors to the evolution of RH over continental
regions.
Tailor-made spatial patterns for hydrological model parameters combining regionalisation methods
Authors: Rouhier Laura , Garavaglia Federico , Le Lay Matthieu , Michon Timothée , Castaings William , Le Moine Nicolas , Hendrickx Frédéric , Monteil Céline , Ribstein Pierre
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Calibration of spatially distributed models is an important issue given their over-parameterisation. Three common regionalisation methods can be distinguished: transposition, prescription and constraint. This paper proposes a strategy where the three methods are combined to provide several spatial patterns depending on the model parameters. On the one hand, insensitive and equifinal parameters are prescribed uniformly while parameters with a physical meaning are prescribed at the mesh scale. On the other hand, parameters linked with a proxy runoff signature are constrained over each sub-basin and the remaining parameters are transposed with a physio-climatic pattern constructed over the calibration sub-basins. The above tailor-made pattern regionalisation is applied at the daily time step over two large French catchments, the Loire catchment at Gien covering 35 707 km2 and the Durance catchment at Cadarache covering 11 738 km2. It is then evaluated and compared to a single regionalisation method over dozens of validation stations, treated as ungauged during the parameter regionalisation process. For that purpose, simulated and observed streamflows are compared in light of four runoff signatures: daily runoff, seasonality, flood and low flow. The results show that the tailor-made patterns succeed in significantly enhancing almost all the signatures. The enhancement appears for the least well-modelled stations and contributes a 20 % improvement towards gauged modelling. It also tends to guarantee a minimum performance in an ungauged context since the minimum KGE is now 0.4 whatever runoff signature is used.
Cross-continental age calibration of the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary
Authors: Lena Luis , López-Martínez Rafael , Lescano Marina , Aguirre-Urrreta Beatriz , Concheyro Andrea , Vennari Verónica , Naipauer Maximiliano , Samankassou Elias , Pimentel Marcio , Ramos Victor , Schaltegger Urs
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The age of the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary has remained elusive for the past decades. In this study we evaluate how well the determined boundary age agrees between two distinct sections from different sedimentary basins, and whether we can constrain a globally valid Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary age. Here we present high-precision U-Pb zircon age determinations on single grains of volcanic zircon of two sections that span the Jurassic/Cretaceous: the Las Loicas section, Argentina, and the Mazatepec section in Mexico. These two sections display well-established primary and secondary stratigraphic markers as well as interbedded volcanic horizons that allow bracketing the age of the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary at 140.22 ± 0.13 Ma. We also present the first age determinations in the early Tithonian and tentatively propose a minimum duration of ~ 7 Ma for the Tithonian stage.
Towards an atlas of rare and threatened flora in the province of Cuenca (Spain): the case of "Erodium macrocalyx" (Geraniaceae) as a model species
Authors: García Cardo Oscar , Martínez Labarga Juan Manuel , Bartolomé Esteban Carmen
Published: June 2018

Not only the geography but other environmental features of Cuenca province (Spain) makes it rich in plant species of very different origins, some of which have been attributed to different categories of protection. The purpose of this study was to select species that might help understand migratory or speciation processes, perhaps due to their scarcity and their unique distribution, and irrespective of whether they are included in any normative framework or not. As such, here we present the method used to elaborate an atlas of the relatively rare and threatened flora in this province, using Erodium macrocalyx (G. López) López Udias, Fabregat & Mateo as a model species.
Gênero e História das Mulheres: reflexões sobre a experiência de estágio na Educação de Jovens e Adultos
Authors: Silva Andréia Amorim da , Porto Rodrigo
Published: June 2018

O presente texto tem por objetivo discorrer acerca da valiosa experiência de estágio supervisionado de História, desenvolvido na Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA), em Florianópolis (SC), sob orientação da professora Claricia Otto. Além das atividades integrantes do Estágio junto ao Núcleo da EJA em que atuamos – EJA NORTE I – Escola Básica Municipal Herondina Medeiros Zeferino, elaboramos e desenvolvemos uma oficina em torno da temática, Gênero e História das Mulheres. Neste texto, procuramos apresentar, de forma analítica, como o assunto vem sendo tratado nos meios de comunicação, assim como objetivamos demonstrar todo o processo de elaboração da oficina e dos desafios e aprendizados desta experiência.
Debatendo religiosidades com os estudantes da EJA/Fpolis
Authors: Martins Anna Karla Vieira , Borges Joana Vieira , Nenevê Osmar José
Published: June 2018

Este artigo trata de um relato de experiência de estágio com o tema “religiosidades” na Educação de Jovens e Adultos do município de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. O objetivo é discutir as possibilidades e as dificuldades de trabalhar com esse tema na escola, especialmente na Educação de Jovens e Adultos, garantindo, ao mesmo tempo, o fortalecimento do princípio de laicidade do Estado brasileiro. Metodologicamente, optamos em desenvolver uma intervenção na EJA (oficina) sobre religiosidade a partir de uma proposta de construção de conceitos, amparada por discussões realizadas na área de ensino de História. Consideramos a importância e a necessidade desse debate, uma vez que vivemos em uma sociedade multicultural onde as religiosidades, apesar de ocuparem um espaço de destaque, são pouco debatidas no ambiente escolar. Apesar das dificuldades que vivenciamos, acreditamos que a nossa experiência foi extremamente válida diante dos acontecimentos contemporâneos

de violência e intolerância que ocorrem todos os dias no Brasil e no mundo.
La determinación de autores en los delitos económicos y empresariales. Varias ideas de soluciones y varios puntos para el debate
Authors: Pérez-Duharte Arlín
Published: June 2018

Los delitos económicos y empresariales constituyen uno de los grandes enigmas para el derecho penal, su tipificación en los catálogos sancionadores, la aplicación de las fórmulas tradicionales para la determinación de autores o partícipes, las sanciones para ser utilizadas y su relación con el llamado paradigma socializador son algunas de las interrogantes que día a día intentan buscarle respuesta los estudiosos de esta ciencia del derecho. Así, al debatirse en cómo asociar los resultados causados por estos ilícitos a las personas que los han perpetrado, se han llegado a formular ideas de soluciones que se localizan en los predios de la omisión, específicamente en los de la comisión por omisión, en los de la autoría y, por último, en las nociones de participación; el análisis de cada una de ellas es el propósito de este trabajo.
Pobreza: un problema de derechos humanos ¿Qué hacer cuando la legislación profundiza la pobreza?
Authors: Beca Frei Juan Pablo
Published: June 2018

El presente trabajo busca demostrar que la pobreza es un problema de derechos humanos que atenta contra la dignidad de la persona, con la consiguiente responsabilidad estatal de evitarla. Se comparan sus alcances con las consecuencias de la tortura; se advierten las limitaciones que la pobreza produce en términos de participación política, y se relaciona la pobreza con los derechos a la vida y a la salud; todo ello para demostrar que la pobreza no es solo un problema monetario o económico, y que requiere, por tanto, un abordaje integral. Se analizan luego tres casos de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Niños de la Calle, Sawhoyamaxa y Yakye Axa), a través de los cuales se puede advertir que esta Corte se ha acercado a darle un enfoque de derechos humanos al problema de la pobreza. En seguida, se revisan dos aspectos legislativos (las legislaciones laboral y forestal en Chile), para advertir que la ley puede profundizar la situación de pobreza en la que viven muchas personas. Se concluye que la pobreza debería ser un factor por considerar en los análisis de constitucionalidad de las normas, sin que ello implique una labor política de órganos jurídicos de control.
BOTNET FORENSIC: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND GOOD PRACTICES
Authors: Bijalwan Anchit , Solanki Vijender Kumar , Pilli Emmanuel Shubhakar
Published: June 2018

Unethical hacking of sites, probing, click frauds, phishing, denial of services attack and many such malicious practices affects the organizational integrity and sovereignty. Such activities are direct attacks on the safety, security and confidentiality of the organization. These activities put organizational privacy at stake. Botnet forensic is utilized to strengthen the security issues by understanding the modus operandi of the attacks. The available observations can be utilized in future also to prevent a potential threat to network security. This paper enlightens the novel summary of previous survey including life cycle, classification, framework, detection, analysis and the challenges for botnet forensics.
Evaluation of CupCarbon Network Simulator for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Lopez-Pavon Cristina , Sendra Sandra , Valenzuela-Valdes Juan F.
Published: June 2018

Wireless sensor networks are a technology in full evolution with great future and a huge quantity of applications. This document lists some of the limitations existing in WSN networks. In addition, several existing techniques are collected to maximize the network's lifetime, demonstrating that efficient use of energy is very important to achieve this goal. Due to the importance of knowing the behaviour of this type of network before its launch, a comparative is established for the options offered by the WSN network simulators available in the market, compared to those offered by CupCarbon. The objective of this project is the evaluation of the CupCarbon simulator through the implementation of an algorithm that aims to maximize the life time of the network, as well as collecting the results offered by this algorithm. In this way, a Dijkstra routing algorithm is developed whose selection of routes depends on the battery level contained in the nodes that constitute the network. This algorithm is referred as dynamic Dijkstra in the present document. To achieve the objectives described, we pretend to simulate the dynamic Dijkstra in CupCarbon, for this aim, the source code is modified, since it is a free code tool. As a result, it is possible to create the original Dijkstra, but certain problems are presented, to develop the part that depends on the energy, related to the functionalities offered by CupCarbon. As an alternative to determine the results associated to the created algorithm, theoretical analyses are accomplished. Consequently, it is concluded that the evaluation of CupCarbon is not satisfactory enough, while the algorithm created maximizes the network's lifetime.
Seeing Spots: Language and Limits in the Middle English Pearl
Authors: Byland Hannah
Published: June 2018

This article examines the Pearl-poem for its anticipation and regulation of reader response. The poet constructs a visionary world just on the cusp of revelation and as such provides the reader the opportunity to finish the vision when the Dreamer wakes. Pearl is a kind of self-contained gem, complete and wholly enticing. However, the Dreamer's inability to understand and the author's apparent powerlessness to produce a perfect form have driven some critics to see the poem as the sum of its failures. These “flaws” in form and character are better understood as authorial strategies to activate and regulate the reader's response. This article suggests that the author purposefully constructed Pearl at the point of near completion to allow the reader to finish the vision in controlled, and orthodox, ways. The Pearl-poet manages this by exploiting the reader's expectations for a visionary text.
The Impact of Government Funding on Students’ Academic Performance in Ghana
Authors: Abdul-Rahaman Nurudeen , Ming Wan , Abdul Rahaman Abdul Basit , Amadu Latif , Abdul-Rahaman Salma S.
Published: June 2018

High academic performance in senior high education is a significant issue that concerns the government and the people of Ghana because of the huge funding the government provides to schools in the form of progressive free senior high policy. Data starting from 2011/2012 to 2016/2017 academic years were picked from the students’ continuous assessment register which contains students’ academic records for each academic term. Data were collated and analyzed quantitatively using the Mann Whitney U Test to compare students’ academic performance during the period of government partial funding (progressive free policy) from 2014/2015 to 2016/2017 academic years forming a group and no funding period, starting from 2011/2012 to 2013/2014 academic years which formed another group. For the purpose of this study, two groups of twenty (20) students were sampled making forty (40) students in total using the systematic sampling technique. The Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze academic performance of students who benefited from funding and those that do not benefit from funding. The findings indicate that government funding (progressive free policy) has a greater impact on students’ academic performance.
Reseña: “Ercilla y La Araucana en dos tiempos. Del Siglo de Oro a la posteridad” (2016) de Eva Valero Juan
Authors: Vílchez Ruiz Míryam
Published: June 2018

Reseña: Ercilla y La Araucana en dos tiempos. Del Siglo de Oro a la posteridad (2016) de Eva Valero Juan
Formas residuales en la narrativa de Nona Fernández
Authors: Valenzuela Prado Luis
Published: June 2018

Este artículo propone una lectura de la narrativa de la escritora chilena Nona Fernández, sostenida desde una constante histórico y memorial. Desde ahí, configura un entramado complejo, erigiendo una espacialidad atravesada por diversos residuos: materiales y corporales, letrados e imaginarios. Este cruce configura lo residual como gesto político que problematiza cualquier triunfo posible de la modernidad. El análisis se centrará, primero, en la novela Mapocho, segundo, en las novelas Av. 10 de Julio Huamachuco y Chilean electric, tercero, en la trilogía de la memoria y la dictadura.
Reseña: “Schmutz. Ästhetik und Epistemologie eines Motivs in Literaturen und Kulturtheorien der Karibik [Suciedad. Estética y epistemología de un motivo en literaturas y teorías culturales del Caribe]” (2017), de Isabel Exner
Authors: Brüske Anne
Published: June 2018

Reseña: Schmutz. Ästhetik und Epistemologie eines Motivs in Literaturen und Kulturtheorien der Karibik [Suciedad. Estética y epistemología de un motivo en literaturas y teorías culturales del Caribe]” (2017), de Isabel Exner
Narrando comida, haciéndonos urbanos: Glub y la estética de lo cotidiano
Authors: Bal Mieke
Published: June 2018

Este ensayo ofrece algunas reflexiones sobre el aspecto estético de la ciudad de hoy en día, erigida sobre residuos, e incluso sobre basura. Retoma un primer acercamiento al tema, desarrollado en 2004, a través de un documental sobre el paisaje urbano berlinés bajo la influencia de la migración. La autora se detiene en la textura de la ciudad basada no tanto en las innovaciones tecnológicas que continúan usando energías fósiles, sino en los restos, en la “suciedad” de las costumbres que los migrantes traen consigo desde sus hogares. En particular, se interesa en la costumbre de comer semillas en espacios públicos, elaborando a partir de aquí una mirada a la cultura urbana “desde abajo” y que permite visibilizar otros tejidos sociales.
Decantar el residuo: Manuscritos y poemas
Authors: Lalo Eduardo
Published: June 2018

Manuscritos y poemas de Eduardo Lalo
Development of an integrated indicator for prognosis of pollinosis in the human population of Central Ukraine
Authors: Antomonov Michael , Motruk Iryna , Alexandrova Olena , Kremenska Lilia , Bobrowska Olena , Dudarenko Oksana , Vakolyuk Larysa , Germanyuk Tamara , Ivko Tanya
Published: June 2018

Critical values of meteorological factors were identified for improvement of ecological and public health prognosis of the concentration of pollen grains in the air that increase the risk of allergy in the human population. Risk of allergy symptoms from Ambrosia, Artemisia, or Poaceae pollen arise when the pollen grain concentration in the air increases over threshold values. In this study, an integrated indicator – the “weather factor” WF, was developed. It was based on measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The results of the study can be used to assess the prognosis of the appearance of potentially dangerous concentrations of pollen grains in the atmosphere to predict the occurrence of pollinosis in the population of the central region of Ukraine, based upon weather factors.
Floral phenology and pollen production in the five nocturnal Oenothera species (Onagraceae)
Authors: Antoń Sebastian , Denisow Bożena
Published: June 2018

Blooming phenology and pollen production in the five Oenothera species were investigated during the period of 2013–2015 in the Lublin area, SE Poland. The blooming period was relatively long, and flowering usually started in the middle or late June and lasted until late July or the middle of August. The Oenothera species studied exhibited nocturnal anthesis, i.e., the flowers opened in the late evening and lasted overnight until the early morning hours. Plants developed a great number of flowers per individual and per unit area (on average, 158 and 4,136, respectively), and this feature appeared to be species-specific. It was demonstrated that the blooming phase had an impact on the mass of anthers and pollen produced per flower in all Oenothera species. In general, the greatest mass of anthers and pollen was observed at the beginning of blooming, and with the progress of flowering, the values decreased. However, statistical differences were found for O. flaemingina, O. paradoxa, and O. rubricaulis. The mass of pollen produced per unit area was also a species-specific characteristic and was related to the abundance of flowering. The greatest amount of pollen was produced by O. flaemingina (30.6 g m−2), which was almost three times more than that produced by O. rubricaulis (10.9 g m−2). The protein content of pollen grains was relatively low and on average amounted to 15.4%. The Oenothera species examined in this work may be considered valuable pollen yielding plants. Nevertheless, given the invasive potential of species from subsect. Oenothera, precautions are suggested during cultivation and/or planting these taxa in bee pastures, in order to prevent uncontrolled spread into new areas.
The first record of Fistulina hepatica (Schaeff.) With. on Castanea sativa Mill. in Poland
Authors: Piętka Jacek , Ciurzycki Wojciech
Published: June 2018

This paper discusses details of the locality of Fistulina hepatica recorded on Castanea sativa, a new host species in Poland. Since 2014, F. hepatica has been featured on the list of species under partial protection, and has been marked as “R” (rare species) on the “Red list of the macrofungi in Poland”. A new locality of F. hepatica has been found in Warsaw, in the Mokotów neighborhood, on the premises of the Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of the Interior and Administration. Two basidiomata of F. hepatica were discovered at the base of a declining sweet chestnut tree.
Populations of parasitic nematodes colonizing Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)
Authors: Zapałowska Anita , Skwiercz Andrzej Tomasz
Published: June 2018

The populations of parasitic nematodes colonizing the rhizosphere of Helianthus tuberosus L. grown in Polish plantations were studied in the summer of 2016 and the spring of 2017. A total of 35 nematode species were identified: Paratrichodorus pachydermus, Trichodorus cylindricus, T. viruliferus, Longidorus attenuatus, L. elongatus, L. leptocephalus, Criconema annuliferum, Criconemoides informis, Mesocriconema rusticum, M. solivagum, M. xenoplax, Paratylenchus nanus, P. neoamblycephalus, P. projectus, Bitylenchus dubius, B. maximus, Merlinius brevidens, M. nothus, Scutylenchus quadrifer, S. tartuensis, Helicotylenchus digonicus, H. pseudorobustus, H. vulgaris, Rotylenchus pumilus, R. robustus, Pratylenchus crenatus, P. fallax, P. neglectus, Hirschmanniella gracilis, Aphelenchoides fragariae, Aphelenchus avenae, A. eremitus, Ditylenchus dipsaci, and D. medicaginis. Aphelenchoides fragariae and Ditylenchus dipsaci could be foliar pathogens of H. tuberosus L. This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of A. fragariae on the leaves of the Jerusalem artichoke in Poland. The frequencies of occurrence and population densities of the 35 nematode species were determined.
Ethnobotanical uses of wild taxa as galactagogues in Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Geraci Anna , Polizzano Vincenza , Schicchi Rosario
Published: June 2018

Breastfeeding furnishes optimal nutrition, immune support, and a multitude of health benefits to mothers and newborns. Since ancient times plants have been employed as galactagogues in the folk medicine of many human cultures. In Sicily, a region with great floristic diversity in the Mediterranean area, where a conspicuous pool of species is traditionally used for food and aromatic, cosmetic, handicraft, agricultural, forestry, and medicinal purposes, some people recognize the galactagogue properties of some spontaneous plants.

The goal of this study was to identify wild plants with galactagogue properties and vegetable-food remedies traditionally used by women during breastfeeding to increase milk production. It was conducted in the Madonie territory (province of Palermo) by interviewing a sample of 105 people that was divided into three age groups.

Ethnobotanical investigations revealed a total of 34 species, belonging to 11 families and 25 genera, used as galactagogues. For each taxon, the parts used, the methods of preparation, and the phytochemical profiles according to the literature were reported. The most represented family was Asteraceae, with 12 genera and 17 species, the majority of which contained latex.

The most frequently used parts of the galactagogue plants were leaves (69%) that were mainly eaten as cooked vegetables, raw in salads, or utilized as an infusion tea. The species cited in this study are mainly wild traditional vegetables with high nutritional profiles that could improve the quality and the quantity of the milk produced. The study found that older people represent a precious source of information to help younger people preserve the cultural identity of the territory.
Phylogeny of beech in western Eurasia as inferred by approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: Gömöry Dušan , Paule Ladislav , Mačejovský Vladimír
Published: June 2018

The Fagus sylvatica L. species complex in Europe and Western Asia comprises two commonly recognized subspecies, F. sylvatica subsp. sylvatica [= F. sylvatica sensu stricto (s. str.)] and F. sylvatica subsp. orientalis (= F. orientalis), and two putatively hybridogenous or intermediate taxa, “F. moesiaca” and “F. taurica”. The present study aimed to examine the demographic history of this species complex using 12 allelic loci of nine allozymes scored in 279 beech populations in western Eurasia. Three sets of phylogenetic scenarios were tested by approximate Bayesian computation: one dealing with the divergence of subspecies and/or regional populations within the whole taxonomical complex, and two others focusing on the potential hybrid origin of “F. moesiaca” and “F. taurica”. The best-supported scenario within the first set placed the time of divergence of regional populations of F. orientalis in the Early Pleistocene (1.18–1.87 My BP). According to this scenario, the Iranian population was the ancestral lineage, whereas F. sylvatica s. str. was the lineage that diverged most recently. “Fagus taurica” was found to have originated from hybridization between the Caucasian population of F. orientalis and F. sylvatica s. str. at 144 ky BP. In contrast, there was no evidence of a hybrid origin of “F. moesiaca”. The best-supported scenario suggested that the Balkan lineage is a part of F. sylvatica s. str., which diverged early from F. orientalis in Asia Minor (817 ky BP), while both the Italian and Central-European lineages diverged from the Balkan one later, at the beginning of the last (Weichselian) glacial period.
Chemical Investigation of Major Constituents in Aloe vera Leaves and Several Commercial Aloe Juice Powders
Authors: Zhang Yuehong , Bao Zhichao , Ye Xiaoyan , Xie Zhaoyang , He Kan , Mergens Bill , Li Wenjie , Yatcilla Mike , Zheng Qunyi
Published: June 2018

Background: There are a substantial number of papers in the scientific literature reporting on the chemical composition of the Aloe vera plant. None of these investigations are truly comprehensive nor address the differences in composition that occur through processing variations in fresh leaves and commercially available product forms. Objectives: This work was to analytically examine a range of these forms and compile the findings. Methods: Fresh A. vera leaves and a number of commercial aloe juice powders were investigated for their major chemical constituents. Samples included fresh leaves from China and Mexico, plus commercial powders from different manufacturers made from different plant parts and/or manufacturing processes. The test results include moisture, ash, fiber, protein, lipids, minerals, organic acids, free sugars, and polysaccharides. The analytical methods employed comprise inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy for minerals, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography equipped with pulsed amperometric detection for free sugars, HPLC for organic acids, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC)–multi-angle laser light scattering (MALS)–differential refractive index (dRI) for polysaccharide analyses. The absolute MW and MW distribution were determined using MALS measurement. Results: The major constituents of A. vera fresh leaf are fibers, proteins, organic acids, minerals, monosaccharides, and polysaccharides, which accounted for 85–95% of the total composition determined. In the commercial powdered aloe juice samples, four major components—organic acids, minerals, monosaccharides, and polysaccharides—accounted for 78–84% of the total composition. Apart from the four major components, products manufactured by ethanol precipitation contained high amounts of fiber and protein, while the free sugars were removed. In ethanol-precipitated products, the polysaccharide MW was less affected by manufacturing conditions and the concentration of aloe polysaccharides was higher than in products made in the nonethanol manufacturing processes. The overall chemical profiles were found to be consistent, except for the MW and content of polysaccharides in the commercial aloe samples analyzed, which were largely dependent on the types of manufacturing processes employed. Conclusions: This present study provides a comprehensive investigation of the major chemical composition of A. vera leaf and commercially derived products. The use of the SEC combined with MALS and differential RI detectors has proved to be an improved tool for the accurate determination of polysaccharide MW and contents of the various commercially available A. vera products in this study.
How the Future Has a Grip on Us
Authors: Sand Martin ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: June 2018

Being faced with bold statements about the technological future, the wickedness of technological systems and our frequent cluelessness when aiming at predicting the course of such systems, scholars from philosophy of technology and Technology Assessment (TA) have given up believing that any method can enhance our knowledge about the future. Hence, hermeneutic TA, forensics of wishing and other approaches shift their focus on the present of such futures. While these approaches are meaningful in their own right, they basically rest on a too sceptical foundation. In my article I will present some objections to these approaches. It is clearly true as has been pointed out that knowledge about the future cannot be tested to correspond with reality, since the future does not yet exist. However, it is debatable whether such a criterion is generally required for robust knowledge. Giving that we cannot observe the past but claim to know a lot about, I will argue that a commitment to the correspondence theory of truth is too strong a requirement for robust knowledge about the future. Theory building departs by inferring from present observations into both directions, future and past. To show this, some examples that illustrate how the future has a lock on us will be discussed. Furthermore, it will be outlined that the often cited notion of future’s openness also rests on such inferential knowledge, which indicates incoherence in the skeptics’ approach. These arguments build the basis for a modest realism about the future.
General Anesthesia With Dexmedetomidine and Remifentanil in a Neonate During oracotomy and Resection of a Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation
Authors: Cappuccio Ellise , Thung Arlyne K. , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: June 2018

Based on animal data, concern has been expressed regarding the potential deleterious neurocognitive effects of general anesthesia during infancy and early life. Although there are no definitive data to prove this effect, the neonatal period has been suggested to be the most vulnerable period. While various inhaled and intravenous anesthetic agents have been implicated, dexmedetomidine and the opioids may be devoid of such effects. However, there are limited data regarding the combination of these agents during neonatal surgery and anesthesia. We present the use of these agents in combination with epidural anesthesia for postoperative analgesia in a 1-day-old neonate during thoracotomy and excision of a congental cystic adenomatoid malformation. Previous reports of the use of this unique combination of agents are reviewed and their role in this scenario discussed.