bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of wnt4/5 during reproductive cycle of catfish and wnt5 promoter analysis
Authors: Prathibha Yarikipati , Senthilkumaran Balasubramanian
Published: November 2016

Signaling molecules, Wnt4 and Wnt5, are essential for ovarian growth during developmental stages in mammals. Although these molecules were identified in several teleosts, their precise expression and role in reproductive processes have not yet been explored in any lower vertebrates. In view of this, using catfish,Clarias batrachusas an animal model, cloning and expression analysis ofwnt4andwnt5were analyzed in different tissues, at various developmental stages, during ovarian reproductive cycle and after gonadotropin induction. These studies indicate a plausible influence of Wnts in ovarian development and recrudescence. Transcript and protein localization revealed their presence in peri-nucleolar, pre-vitellogenic, vitellogenic and follicular layer of post-vitellogenic oocytes. Synchronous expression ofpax2andwnt5during the ovarian development and recrudescence of catfish led us to analyze the importance of putative binding element of Pax2 in the 5′-promoter motif ofwnt5. Promoter activity ofwnt5was analyzed by luciferase assays after transfecting progressive deletion constructs in pGL3 basic vector into the mammalian cell lines (HEK 293 and CHO). The constructs having putative Pax2 motif showed high promoter activity compared with controls. Likewise, the constructs with site-directed mutagenesis showed increased activity after supplementing recombinant Pax2 indicating the prominence of this motif inwnt5promoter,in vitro. Electrophoretic gel mobility shift, supershift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the binding of Pax2 to its corresponding cis-acting element in the upstream ofwnt5. This study is the first of its kind to report the critical transcriptional interaction of Pax2 onwnt5vis-à-vis ovarian development in teleosts.
Accuracy of Genomic Prediction in Synthetic Populations Depending on the Number of Parents, Relatedness, and Ancestral Linkage Disequilibrium
Authors: Schopp Pascal , Müller Dominik , Technow Frank , Melchinger Albrecht E
Published: November 2016

Synthetics play an important role in quantitative genetic research and plant breeding, but few studies have investigated the application of genomic prediction (GP) to these populations. Synthetics are generated by intermating a small number of parents (NP) and thereby possess unique genetic properties, which make them especially suited for systematic investigations of factors contributing to the accuracy of GP. We generated synthetics in silico from NP=2 to 32 maize (Zea mays L.) lines taken from an ancestral population with either short- or long-range linkage disequilibrium (LD). In eight scenarios differing in relatedness of the training and prediction sets and in the types of data used to calculate the relationship matrix (QTL, SNPs, tag markers, and pedigree), we investigated the prediction accuracy (PA) of Genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and analyzed contributions from pedigree relationships captured by SNP markers, as well as from cosegregation and ancestral LD between QTL and SNPs. The effects of training set size NTS and marker density were also studied. Sampling few parents (2≤NP<8) generates substantial sample LD that carries over into synthetics through cosegregation of alleles at linked loci. For fixed NTS, NP influences PA most strongly. If the training and prediction set are related, using NP<8 parents yields high PA regardless of ancestral LD because SNPs capture pedigree relationships and Mendelian sampling through cosegregation. As NP increases, ancestral LD contributes more information, while other factors contribute less due to lower frequencies of closely related individuals. For unrelated prediction sets, only ancestral LD contributes information and accuracies were poor and highly variable for NP≤4 due to large sample LD. For large NP, achieving moderate accuracy requires large NTS, long-range ancestral LD, and high marker density. Our approach for analyzing PA in synthetics provides new insights into the prospects of GP for many types of source populations encountered in plant breeding.
An Evolutionarily Conserved Transcriptional Activator-Repressor Module Controls Expression of Genes for D-Galacturonic Acid Utilization inAspergillus niger
Authors: Niu Jing , Alazi Ebru , Reid Ian D , Arentshorst Mark , Punt Peter J , Visser Jaap , Tsang Adrian , Ram Arthur F J
Published: November 2016

The expression of genes encoding extracellular polymer-degrading enzymes and the metabolic pathways required for carbon utilization in fungi are tightly controlled. The control is mediated by transcription factors that are activated by the presence of specific inducers, which are often monomers or monomeric derivatives of the polymers. A D-galacturonic acid-specific transcription factor named GaaR was recently identified and shown to be an activator for the expression of genes involved in galacturonic acid utilization in Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger. Using a forward genetic screen, we isolated A. niger mutants that constitutively express GaaR-controlled genes. Reasoning that mutations in the gaaR gene would lead to a constitutively activated transcription factor, the gaaR gene in 11 of the constitutive mutants was sequenced, but no mutations in gaaR were found. Full genome sequencing of five constitutive mutants revealed allelic mutations in one particular gene encoding a previously uncharacterized protein (NRRL3_08194). The protein encoded by NRRL3_08194 shows homology to the repressor of the quinate utilization pathway identified previously in Neurospora crassa (qa-1S) and Aspergillus nidulans (QutR). Deletion of NRRL3_08194 in combination with RNA-seq analysis showed that the NRRL3_08194 deletion mutant constitutively expresses genes involved in galacturonic acid utilization. Interestingly, NRRL3_08194 is located next to gaaR (NRRL3_08195) in the genome. The homology to the quinate repressor, the chromosomal clustering, and the constitutive phenotype of the isolated mutants suggest that NRRL3_08194 is likely to encode a repressor, which we name GaaX. The GaaR–GaaX module and its chromosomal organization is conserved among ascomycetes filamentous fungi, resembling the quinate utilization activator-repressor module in amino acid sequence and chromosomal organization.
Cambios estacionales del fitoplancton en el área marina de pesca responsable de Paquera-Tambor, Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica
Authors: García-Rojas Andrea , Vega Bolaños Hannia
Published: November 2016

La implementación de Áreas Marinas de Pesca Responsable (AMPR) es una herramienta para el ordenamiento pesquero, por ello, los estudios de línea base juegan un rol importante para comprender la dinámica ecológica desde las bases de la red trófica en las AMPR. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la abundancia de los grupos taxonómicos del fitoplancton en el AMPR-Paquera-Tambor, para la determinación de cambios estacionales entre variables abióticas y el fitoplancton. Se realizó un muestreo mensual (de septiembre-2013 a agosto-2014) para la toma de muestras de factores fisicoquímicos, así como de microalgas planctónicas. Los datos evidenciaron una variación temporal tanto de los factores ambientales como del fitoplancton. Las microalgas más representativas fueron las diatomeas y los dinoflagelados con una riqueza de 51 y 32 especies, respectivamente, donde se resalta la presencia de algunas especies productoras de florecimientos algales como Cochlodinium catenatum con una concentración de 5.85x104cél L-1. Con respecto a las diatomeas y los parámetros, como la profundidad del disco Secchi (r = -0.558) y el porcentaje de saturación de oxígeno  (r = -0.490), se reflejó una correlación negativa debido a la variabilidad climática de la zona. Se identificaron organismos del grupo zooplanctónico de los tintínidos, los cuales presentaron una correlación positiva con las diatomeas (r = 0.433). Se evidenció una dinámica ecosistémica fundamental para el desarrollo trófico del AMPR-Paquera-Tambor, que fundamenta la importancia pesquera de la zona y refleja la relevancia de continuar con un monitoreo biótico y abiótico para la zona.
Primer registro de Branchiomma coheni (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) en las costas del Caribe colombiano
Authors: Dueñas-Ramírez Pedro R. , Dueñas-Lagos Andrea Carolina
Published: November 2016

La especie invasora Branchiomma coheni Tovar-Hernández y Knight-Jones, 2006, familia Sabellidae, ha sido recolectada en la Bahía de Cispatá, Morrosquillo y en la Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, en las raíces de los mangles y en La Escollera en Gaira sobre recolectores de ostras. Esta especie de la comunidad bentónica cubre las raíces de mangle compartiendo el sustrato con otros invertebrados. Este es el primer registro de B. coheni para el Caribe colombiano.
Growth Trajectories of Refugee and Nonrefugee Children in the United States
Authors: Dawson-Hahn Elizabeth , Pak-Gorstein Suzinne , Matheson Jasmine , Zhou Chuan , Yun Katherine , Scott Kevin , Payton Colleen , Stein Elizabeth , Holland Annette , Grow H. Mollie , Mendoza Jason A.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Limited data examine longitudinal nutrition outcomes of refugee children after United States resettlement. Among refugee children, our aims were to (1) assess the changes in weight-based nutritional status between baseline (0–3 months) and 10-24 months after arrival and (2) compare the BMI (BMIz) or weight-for-length z score (WFLz) trajectories to nonrefugee children for up to 36 months after arrival.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective study of refugees aged 0-16 years from Washington and Pennsylvania and compared them with an age and sex-matched nonrefugee low-income sample from Washington. Data included anthropometric measurements from the initial screening medical visit and subsequent primary care visits. Multilevel linear mixed-effects regression models evaluated the change in BMIz or WFLz trajectory.

RESULTS:

The study included 512 refugee and 1175 nonrefugee children. The unadjusted prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 8.9% to 20% (P < .001) for 2- to 16-year-old refugees from baseline to 10-24 months. Refugees (2–16 years old) had a steeper increase in their BMIz per 12 months compared with nonrefugees (coefficient 0.18 vs 0.03; P < .001). Refugees <2 years old had a less steep increase in their WFLz per 12 months compared with nonrefugees (coefficient 0.12 vs 0.36, P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS:

Older refugee children exhibited a higher risk of obesity than nonrefugees, whereas refugees <2 years old exhibited a slower increase in their risk of obesity than nonrefugee children. All age groups experienced increasing obesity prevalence. Targeted and culturally tailored obesity prevention interventions may mitigate health and nutrition inequities among refugee children.
Wundheilungsstörungen nach ventraler medianer Laparotomie beim Pferd
Authors: Winter Karsten , Brehm Walter , Kämpfert Madlen , Gittel Claudia , Scharner Doreen
Published: November 2016

Gegenstand und Ziel: Wundheilungsstörungen stellen trotz Fortschritten in der Technik der Abdominalchirurgie eine häufige Komplikation nach medianer Laparotomie beim Pferd dar. Ziel der Studie war die Erfassung der Wundheilungsstörungen an der eigenen Klinik sowie die Ermittlung möglicher Risikofaktoren. Zudem sollte untersucht werden, inwieweit die Bauchfellnaht zur Reduktion von Wundheilungsstörungen beiträgt. Material und Methoden: In einer retrospektiven Studie wurden die Patientendaten der Chirurgischen Tierklinik der Universität Leipzig von Januar 2010 bis Dezember 2015 analysiert. Eingeschlossen in die Studie wurden Pferde, bei denen aufgrund einer Kolik eine ventrale mediane Laparotomie erfolgte. Die Analyse erfasste folgende Daten: Rasse, Geschlecht, Alter der Pferde, Lokalisation der Kolik, Invasivität des Eingriffs, Dauer der Allgemeinanästhesie, Nahttechnik zum Verschluss der Laparotomiewunde sowie postoperatives Fieber oder Leukopenie. Die Wundheilungsstörungen wurden differenziert in Nahtdehiszenz, Wundsekretion und Narbenbruch. Wundödeme unterlagen einer gesonderten Betrachtung. Ergebnisse: Wundheilungsstörungen in Form von Sekretion und Nahtdehiszenz traten bei 8,9% (18/202) der Pferde auf, postoperative Hernien bei 5,2% (9/173) der Tiere. Rasse, Geschlecht, Lokalisation der Kolik, Invasivität des Eingriffs, Dauer der Allgemeinanästhesie sowie postoperative Leukopenie beeinflussten die Häufigkeit von Wundheilungsstörungen nicht. Ein erhöhtes Risiko für Wundheilungsstörungen ergab sich für Pferde ab einem Alter von 20 Jahren (Odds Ratio [OR] 17,90), Tiere mit postoperativem Fieber (OR 7,48) sowie Pferde, bei denen das Bauchfell nicht vernäht wurde (OR 7,68). Tiere mit mittel- und hochgradigen Ödemen hatten ein signifikant höheres Risiko für Wundheilungsstörungen. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Von den geprüften Risikofaktoren lässt sich nur die Nahttechnik beeinflussen. Da die Bauchfellnaht mit einem geringeren Risiko für Wundheilungsstörungen verbunden ist, sollte sie beim Verschluss von Laparotomiewunden Standard sein.
Theoretical assessment of progressive collapse capacity of reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Alogla Kamal , Weekes Laurence , Augusthus-Nelson Levingshan
Published: November 2016

The progressive collapse behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) structures requires consideration of material and geometric non-linearity, concrete crushing and rebar fracture. Compressive arch action (CAA) and catenary action (CTA) are the main resisting mechanisms against progressive collapse following a column loss. Hence, many studies have concentrated on the development of CAA and CTA in RC beams, but without considering the effect of bar fracture and the reduction in beam effective depth due to concrete crushing. Taking these additional factors into account, an analytical model to predict the structural behaviour of RC beams under a column removal scenario was developed. The proposed model was evaluated and validated with the available experimental results. The evaluation and validation indicate that the proposed model can provide a reliable assessment of RC beam capacity against progressive collapse.
An earthquake-event-based method for mapping tsunami hazards
Authors: Jaimes Miguel A. , Reinoso Eduardo , Ordaz Mario , Silva Rodolfo , Mendoza Edgar , Huerta Benjamín , Durán Gerardo , Chávez Xavier , Rodríguez Juan C.
Published: November 2016

This paper proposes an earthquake-event-based method for the construction of regional flood hazard maps for tsunami. The method involves five steps. The first is to characterise the seismic hazard as a set of collectively exhaustive and mutually exclusive stochastic events that fully describes the spatial distribution and annual frequency of occurrence in accordance with the location of an earthquake, its depth and magnitude. The second is to compute the vertical sea-floor deformation produced by each one of the earthquakes, after which the propagation of tsunami and the inundation depth produced by each earthquake is calculated. Step four is to present the earthquake-induced tsunami hazard considering only those events that could generate a tsunami as a set of stochastic events that describes the spatial distribution of each tsunami. The final step is to obtain, for any point of interest, the tsunami inundation depth exceedance rate, taking into account the contribution of all tsunamis computed in step four. The method is applied to obtain maps of tsunami hazard for the Mexican Pacific coast for return periods of 150 and 500 years.
Microstructure and properties of the space charge of LDPE under different thermal ageing conditions
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Youyuan , Fan Peng , Shen Jian , Liang Yun , Wang Can
Published: November 2016

Macroscopic experiment and microscopic molecular simulation were employed to study the ageing products, as well as the trap characteristic accumulation and dissipation characteristics, of the space charge of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) under different thermal ageing conditions. The obtained results indicate that carboxyl and ketone groups are generated during the ageing process of LDPE. The introduction of such groups increases the trap depth of the LDPE material from 0·98 to 1·31 eV. These deep traps enhance the accumulation but reduce the dissipation rate of space charge. Trap density increases with ageing time. Thus, the accumulation amount of space charge significantly increases, whereas the dissipation rate of space charge significantly decreases.
Flowering phenology of Catopsis compacta (Bromeliaceae), a dioecious epiphyte in an oak forest
Authors: Escobedo-Sarti Jeanett , Mondragón Demetria
Published: November 2016

Background: Knowledge of the flowering phenology of species with an epiphytic habit and a dioecious sexual system is scarce.

Questions: We studied the flowering phenology of a population of the dioecious epiphytic bromeliad, Catopsis compacta , in an oak forest in Oaxaca, Mexico, to answer the following questions: 1) what type of flowering period is exhibited by this population of C. compacta ? 2) what is the degree of synchrony between the male and female flowering periods? and 3) what is the flowering synchrony index of the population?

Methods: In February 2006, in a 20 m × 20 m plot, we marked and measured 151 individuals of C. compacta ? 10 cm in height (minimum reproductive size). We recorded the number of flowers and fruits present in each individual every month for one year.

Results: Our results showed that the flowering period in both sexes lasted for three months (May–July). Only 23 marked individuals flowered (15.23 %): of these 12 (52.17 %) were female and 11 (47.83 %) were male. The index of synchrony between females and males was 0.958 ± 0.013 and the flowering synchrony index of the population was 0.833 ± 0.189.

Conclusions: The high flowering synchrony between the sexes, together with a flowering season that coincided with the period of highest rainfall when the number of arthropods (potential pollinators) is the highest, could favor breeding and, therefore, reproductive success.
Gestión de residuos sólidos urbanos en el departamento Chimbas, provincia de San Juan, Argentina: la práctica de la teoría
Authors: Gamboa Cortez Valeria Elizabeth , Madueño Lahoz Estela
Published: November 2016

A nivel nacional como internacional es creciente la preocupación por el deterioro del ambiente, la disminución de la calidad de vida humana y la degradación del soporte biofísico del desarrollo. En este contexto se acentúa la indelegable responsabilidad de los Estados de velar por el cuidado de las condiciones ambientales y los recursos naturales con vistas a custodiar y mejorar la existencia de las poblaciones. Una de las temáticas dentro de la gestión ambiental estatal es la gestión de los residuos sólidos urbanos (RSU). Este artículo se refiere a la gestión ambiental de los RSU, del gobierno local del Departamento de Chimbas, provincia de San Juan, Argentina, durante el período 2011/2015. Metodológicamente, la investigación implicó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y explicativo sobre las variables normativa, política e institucional. Se trabajó con datos primarios recabados de entrevistas realizadas a funcionarios y de encuestas a vecinos; y con datos secundarios, relevados en la normativa jurídica ambiental nacional, provincial y municipal, en los planes de gestión de RSU nacional y provincial.
An elite runner with cerebral palsy: cost of running determines athletic performance
Authors: Prins L
Published: November 2016

Background: Running performance is widely understood interms of the Joyner model (VO2max, %VO2max at ventilatorythreshold (VT), running economy (often measured as cost ofrunning (CR) as VO2 in ml.kg‑1.km‑1).Objective: To test the Joyner model by evaluating a runner inwhom one element of the Joyner model is systematically abnormal.Methods: The case of a two-time Paralympian with cerebral palsy(CP), 2nd place in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic 1500 m (T37) isreported. Incremental and steady state treadmill runs as well assimulated competitions were completed. Incremental and steadystate (50% PPO) cycling with two legs (2L), the non-affected leg(NL), and the affected leg (AL) were also completed.Results: His silver medal (2000 Sydney OG) performance for1500 m was 269 s (4:29) (77.2% of velocity in contemporary ablebodiedworld record (WR). At the time of study, his VO2maxwas 64.2 ml.min‑1.kg‑1. His cost of running (CR) (1% grade) washigher, at 257 vs 228, 211 and 188 ml.kg‑1.km‑1 (for ACSM norms,elite Europeans, elite East Africans). During cycling, his VO2maxwith 2L, NL and AL was 3.74, 3.78 and 3.71 l.min‑1, and his grossefficiency (GE) was 18.4, 12.2 and 9.3%, respectively.Conclusions: In a former elite runner with CP, there is littleevidence of a central oxygen transport limitation. The higherCR (plausibly reflected by the reduced GE of his AL) appears toaccount for much of the difference in performance compared toable-bodied runners. The results provide both insight into thephysiological limitations of runners with CP and support for theJoyner model of competitive running performance.Keywords: biomechanics, athletic training, exercise performance,exercise physiology
Incidental intima-media wall changes in the lower-limb arteries: a case series in habitual distance runners
Authors: Roos B
Published: November 2016

This case series describes the observed presence of echogenic circular “beads” identified by high-resolution ultrasound imaging in the peripheral arterial walls of the lower limbs of three vascularly asymptomatic runners. The aetiology, mechanisms and clinical implications of these observations remain uncertain.
Challenging Standard Concepts of ‘Humane’ Care through Relational Auto-Ethnography
Authors: Niemeijer Alistair , Visse Merel
Published: November 2016

What is deemed ‘good’ or ‘humane’ care often seems to be underpinned by a standard ideal of an able-bodied, autonomous human being, which not only underlies those ‘social and professional structures within which narratives and decisions regarding various impairments are held’ (Ho, 2008), but also co-shapes these structures. This paper aims to explore how a relational form of auto-ethnography can promote good care. Rather than being based on and focused toward this standard ideal, it challenges ‘humanity’ by showing how illness narratives, public discourse, and policy are framed by ethical questions. It illustrates how normative ideas dictate policy and public discourse. It critically questions this constitutive power by shifting attention to the lived experiences of people with chronic illness and disability. By highlighting and reflecting together on the first author’s life with a chronic illness and his son’s disability, and thereby framing the narrative, it will be argued that, in order to improve care practices, personal illness and disability narratives and the way they interlock with public narrative and auto-ethnographic methodologies should be investigated.
Effects of Pilates on postural balance and functional autonomy of elderly: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Oliveira Laís Campos De , Pires-Oliveira Deise Aparecida De Almeida , Prado Rafaela Claudia Alves Do , Oliveira Danielle Pereira D’avanso De , Antônio Tiago Del , Oliveira Rodrigo Franco De , Oliveira Raphael Gonçalves De
Published: November 2016

Introduction: The Pilates method has become popular as a form of exercise, with good acceptance among the elderly, however, some variables need to be further explored, as the functional autonomy and postural balance. Objective: An objective of this study was to verify the effects of the Pilates method, based on the functional autonomy and postural balance in elderly women. Method: We recruited 24 volunteers who were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (GE) who performed Pilates (n=12); Control Group (CG) who performed exercise static stretching (n=12). Both had a frequency of twice a week for eight weeks. The evaluations consisted of a battery of tests for functional autonomy of the elderly, the Group of Latin-American Development to the Maturity (GDLAM) protocol, six-minute walk test and static postural balance on a force platform. Results: The results showed significant results for GE in two tests of functional autonomy and the overall rate of functional autonomy (p<0.05). Differences for the other tests were not found. Conclusions: The intervention protocol with Pilates, allowed the improvement of functional autonomy in elderly women, not having an effect on the six-minute walk test and the postural balance.
Influence of box type and heights on movement strategies of thoracolumbar region and knee in load handling activities
Authors: Giangiardi Vivian Farahte , Avanzi Marina Athayde , Valente Luciana do Socorro da Silva , Silva Luciana Cristina da Cunha Bueno , Oliveira Ana Beatriz , Freitas Sandra Maria Sbeghen Ferreira de , Padula Rosimeire Simprini
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Handling activities which includes tasks like lifting, loading, pushing and pulling heavy loads have still been used by workers, in general, this activities are characterized for theirs no corporal limits respect; where the overload in the movements herewith theirs duration and intensity may lead to musculoskeletal diseases, which mainly affect the knee joint and thoracolumbar region of the trunk. Objective: This study intends to evaluate the movement strategies of the spine and knee joint of healthy subjects during a load manual handling course verifying the frequency of these strategies and by what they are influenced (handling high and kind of box). Methods: 42 healthy subjects participated in this study, which had to perform a manual box handling task and unload it in three highs: on the level of the floor, on trochanter’s measured level and shoulder’s measured level. There were utilized four kinds of boxes with variations in: size, material, and presence or not of handles. The conditions (kind of the box and high) were randomized for the subjects. The analysis was made using the unload of the boxes as a reference. Results: the results showed that the characteristics of the boxes (size, material and kind of box, with or without handles) made little influence on the strategies of knee and spine. The principal influence on the posture changes was the difference between the removals and unloads highs. Conclusions: it seems the strategies adopted by the subjects were independent of the characteristics of the load, but dependent of the task demands (i.e., handling high).
Structure and function of RNA elements present in enteroviral genomes
Authors: Dutkiewicz Mariola , Stachowiak Aleksandra , Swiatkowska Agata , Ciesiołka Jerzy
Published: November 2016

Enteroviruses are small RNA(+) viruses that encode one open reading frame flanked by two extensive noncoding regions carrying structural RNA regulatory elements that control replication and translation processes. For a long time the central, coding region was thought to remain single-stranded and its only function was supposed to be as the template for polyprotein synthesis. It turned out, however, that the protein coding region also encodes important RNA structures crucial for the viral life cycle and virus persistence in host cells. This review considers the RNA structures in enteroviral genomes identified and characterized to date.
Searching for anti-glioma activity. Ribonucleoside analogues with modifications in nucleobase and sugar moieties.
Authors: Framski Grzegorz , Wawrzyniak Dariusz , Jahnz-Wechmann Zofia , Szymanska-Michalak Agnieszka , Kraszewski Adam , Barciszewski Jan , Boryski Jerzy , Stawinski Jacek
Published: November 2016

Several ribonucleoside analogues with modifications in the nucleobase and sugar moiety have been screened for anti-glioma activity in T98G glioma cell line using cervical (HeLa) as a reference human malignant cell, and lung fibroblast (MCR-5) as a non-cancerous reference cells. Among the investigated compounds, ribonucleosides containing 6-chloropurine (3), 7-guanine (5) and a pyrrolopyrimidine (18) as nucleobases, show promising anti-glioma activity with good selectivity indices, and can be considered as lead structures for further anti-cancer studies.
Determining Attitudes of Postgraduate Students Towards Scientific Research and Codes of Conduct, Supported by Digital Script
Authors: Tavukcu Tahir
Published: November 2016

In this research, it is aimed to determine the effect of the attitudes of postgraduate students towards scientific research and codes of conduct, supported by digital script. This research is a quantitative study, and it has been formed according to pre-test & post-test research model of experiment and control group. In both groups, lessons were performed in the ways of distance education on the YDU-UZEM system and co-education. Besides, the experimental group was supported by digital scripts. Course materials have been shared through the system onto each groupâ€™s own page. The distance education lessons were performed simultaneously and non-simultaneously. The simultaneous lessons were performed through Big Blue Button virtual class add-in, and non-simultaneous lessons were performed through chatting panel and integration of the recorded lessons onto the system in order to review the lessons whenever needed. In the both groups, there are 40 (80 in total) postgraduate students from the programs of the institutions of Near East University. The groups were designated, as a result of achievement test applied as a pre-test before the study, homogeneously in accordance with their school numbers with regards to success and gender; that the ones with school numbers of which last digits are odd number are the control group, and the ones with school numbers of which last digits are even number are the experimental group. In order to collect the required data, research-directed attitude scale was used after getting required permission. The obtained data were analyzed with appropriate analyzing techniques. With the findings acquired from this research, it is concluded that there is a meaningful difference in favor of the experimental group supported by the digital scripts after examining the both groupsâ€™ attitudes towards scientific research and ethics.Â
Script Towards Research 2.0: The Influence of Digital and Online Tools in Academic Research
Authors: Grosseck Gabriela , Bran Ramona
Published: November 2016

The new Internet technologies have infiltrated in a stunning way the academic environment, both at individual and at institutional level. Therefore, more and more teachers have started educational blogs, librarians are active on Twitter, other educational actors curate web content, students post on Instagram or Flickr, and university departments have Facebook pages and/or YouTube accounts etc.Today, the use of web technology has become â€œa legitimate activity in many areas of higher educationâ€ (Waycott, 2010) and a considerable shift to digital academic research has gradually occurred. Teachers are encouraging students to take up digital tools for research and writing, thus revealing new ways of using information and communication technologies for academic purposes and not just for socializing.The main objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of integrating diverse digital, Web 2.0 tools and resources and OERs/MOOCs in research and in the construction of studentsâ€™ academic texts. We aim to stress the increasing influence of digital and online tools in academic research and writing.Teachers, specialists, and students alike are affected by this process. In order to show how, we explore the following issues: What is Research 2.0? Which digital/online tools have we used to assist our students? What are the challenges for academic research using digital / web 2.0 tools? And how do digital tools shape academic research?
An e-Learning environment for algorithmic: toward an active construction of skills
Authors: Babori Abdelghani , Fihri Fassi Hicham , Hariri Abdellah , Bideq Mustapha
Published: November 2016

Assimilating an algorithmic course is a persistent problem for many undergraduate students. The major problem faced by students is the lack of problem solving ability and flexibility. Therefore, students are generally passive, unmotivated and unable to mobilize all the acquired knowledge (loops, test, variables, etc.) to deal with new encountered problems. Our study is structured around building, step by step, problem solving skills among novice learners. Our approach is based on the use of problem based learning in an e-Learning environment. We begin by establishing a cognitive model which represents knowledge elements, grouped into categories of skills, judged necessary to be appropriated. We then propose a problem built on a concrete situation which aims to actively construct a skill category. We conclude by presenting around the proposed problem a pedagogical scenario for the set of learning activities designed to be incorporated in an E-learning platform.
Developing e-learning solutions in the automotive industry
Authors: Bogdan Razvan Virgil , Ancusa Versavia
Published: November 2016

In the rapid developing market of automotive industry, cutting-edge technologies are being introduced. One such example is the AUTOSAR standard. Companies are investing a large amount of finances for the training of their employees into the intricacies of such technologies. In order to face such an increase of the training costs, automotive corporation have started lately switching their approach to e-Learning systems. This paper presents an e-Learning approach developed in the automotive industry in order to address the demands of teaching AUTOSAR standard. The developed e-Learning project is called Academy. In order to develop the e-Learning solution we focused on the Software Development part of automotive industry. Therefore we had to gather the ideas from different trainers, come with a common approach and use specific techniques so that the trainee should get a real feeling of the material. It is presented the design, implementation and evaluation of this e-Learning solution, but more than that faced issues and learned lessons. Developing this solution has offered different insights into how to approach such a task which are useful for the further expansion of the project, but also for future researchers who might encounter such a challenge of developing e-Learning solutions for the automotive industry. These are all grouped in a set of guidelines related to following a model of implementation, getting track of participants, user interaction with the AUTOSAR standard, test and production development and so on.
The effect of training in active inspire program on teachers' perceived self-efficacy and their technology performance
Authors: ELDaou Badrie Mohammad Nour
Published: November 2016

The current study explores the relationship between the perceived Teacher's Self-efficacy on Robert Reasoners' scale (RRSES) of 60 post-training science teachers and 12 mixed-major teachers and their computer performance grades after their third practice of teaching training in Activeinspire program. To collect data on Self-evaluation, this study uses Robert Reasoner's five components: feeling of security, feeling of belonging, feeling of identity, feeling of goal, and self-actualization which the student teachers used to rate their Self-efficacy. Using pre/post measurements of teachers' attitudes with using computer technology, using open and closed ended questionnaires and The Computer Technology Integration Survey (CTIS) in 2012, this study identified possible influences on self-efficacy beliefs, perceived usefulness of computer technology, and ratings of self-efficacy beliefs toward technology integration. Specifically, this study found that Perceived positive attitude with computer technology was found to be a significant predictor of self-efficacy beliefs towards technology integration. Also, the findings of this research revealed that pre-service teachers earned high computer technology scores. Moreover, it revealed a higher correlation between RRSES subscales scores than between the technology and RRSES scores. Recommendations and future research were discussed.
 
Keywords: Self- esteem,  active inspire, pre-service training, perceived self - efficacy, computer, technology performance
The relationship between teachers’ self -efficacy, attitudes towards ict usefulness and students’ science performance in the lebanese inclusive schools
Authors: ELDaou Badrie , Kazan Sara
Published: November 2016

The current study explores the effect of ICT training in Activeinspire program in four inclusive schools on the perceived Teacher's self-efficacy, ICT usefulness and attitudes, and on the students' science education performance results. To collect data on self-evaluation, this study used qualitative and quantitative methods which helped eleven science teachers to rate their self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes. Consequently, measurements of teachers' attitudes with using computer technology, using open and closed ended questionnaires and The Computer Technology Integration Survey (CTIS) took place in 2014- 2015 academic year. Also, special needs students' performance results were collected pre-and post ICT training. This study identified possible influences on self-efficacy beliefs, perceived usefulness of computer technology, and ratings of self-efficacy beliefs toward technology integration.  Findings of this study revealed that teachers' self-efficacy in the level of technology, technology use, and attitudes all have significant effects on the grades and interaction of students with special needs. The results indicated that participants of group one, who were trained, were able to better define and apply technology in the science classroom than group two  which was not trained . The findings suggest that knowledge and beliefs can influence teachers' intent to use technology in the classroom, especially as evidenced by the integration of ICT in their lesson plans. Moreover, results indicate a significant positive Pearson correlation r=.6 between teachers' self-efficacy, knowledge, attitudes, and special education students' science results. Recommendations, implications and future research were discussed.
 

 Keywords: Activeinspire training; Perceived self -efficacy; Computer technology integration, Academic performance, Inclusion.
Use of mobile application: Means of communication between Parents and Class Teacher
Authors: CAN Mustafa Harun
Published: November 2016

Collaboration in between parents and teachers is an important step for studentâ€™s achievement. Stakeholders in education sector are trying to find best solution to encourage parentsâ€™ involvement in school activities. To involve parents in schooling activities and in other events, a good info-notice system should be established. Teachers should give exact information about any studentâ€™s progress as well as other information. In Nepal, most of the schools use notebook called â€œcommunication book or school diary as the means of communication with parentsâ€. This traditional and most known system is still being used in many parts of the country.Â  Class Teacher writes down a note or notice to parents on it about any information of current activities or forth coming events.The use of mobile applications has been increasing rapidly, and is being used in many aspects in education.Â  The aim of this study is to investigate parentsâ€™ view on using mobile application to communicate with teachers. The Meridian Connect mobile application, which has been widely coming in use in between parents and class teachers, is used for this research.Â  The study was designed to apply the questionnaire based survey methodology in which 573 parents of the students of Meridian International School were asked.. The results of data analysis indicated that parentsâ€™ view on the use of mobile application to upgrade the education environment has been proved to be positive and useful.Â
Desarrollo sustentable a veinticinco años medido desde sus compromisos ambientales y sociales
Authors: Garcia Gómez José , Chávez Nungaray Erika
Published: November 2016

La propuesta de desarrollo sustentable tiene como antecedente la preocupación por la devastación y contaminación ambiental y por las condiciones de desarrollo social. En 1987 surge dicha propuesta con tres deberes globales: la protección del medio ambiente, la justicia intergeneracional y la equidad intrageneracional. Esta investigación se propone analizar el estatus de esos compromisos, a veinticinco años del surgimiento de la iniciativa, ulterior a un andamiaje de acuerdos, políticas y proyectos específicos. La indagatoria sucede desde dos perspectivas: puntualizando los resultados de Huella Ecológica para enmarcar el compromiso hacia la protección ambiental y retomando los datos del Índice de Desarrollo Humano como indicador proxy para referir el progreso hacia el compromiso social intra e intergeneracional. Se concluye que el desarrollo humano sustentable es desigual regionalmente, con alcances parciales sobre los compromisos asumidos desde los años ochenta y con la propia humanidad.
La etnoeducación afrocolombiana: conceptos, trabas, patriarcado y sexismo. A propósito de los 20 años de la Ley General de Educación 115 de 1994
Authors: Meneses Copete Yeison Arcadio
Published: November 2016

El presente artículo desarrolla una reflexión en torno a la Etnoeducación Afrocolombiana. En primer lugar, se muestra la Etnoeducación afrocolombiana bajo la perspectiva de un concepto nuevo, pero una práctica antigua, tomando en consideración las estrategias etno-educativas históricas-tradicionales utilizadas por las comunidades Afrodescendientes; las cuales, hoy, dan lugar a las prácticas, ideas, creencias, saberes, conocimientos y concepciones de mundo particulares. En segundo lugar, propone un debate desde las construcciones populares y/o del movimiento social Afrocolombiano de la Etnoeducación y las institucionales demarcando posibilidades e imposibilidades en el trasegar de 20 años. En este sentido aborda la idea de la educación endógena y exógena, haciendo hincapié en la discusión en términos de la formación de formadores, el rol de la Etnoeducación frente al Racismo y la Discriminación Racial, y la apuesta por otras escuelas. Finalmente, propone una mirada conceptual de la Etnoeducación frente al racismo y al sexismo. La equidad de género y la diversidad sexual como propuesta de choque para la transformación del sistema educativo nacional, relievar y situar las expresiones de la diversidad humana, particularmente, la diversidad Afrocolombiana en el discurso de la etnoeducación.
Formación de maestras afrodescendientes: La condición y profesión docente en la Región de los “Inconfidentes”
Authors: Lima Jardilino Jose Rubens , Diniz Margareth
Published: November 2016

Este artículo presenta reflexiones sobre las trayectorias de maestras afrodescendientes en la región de los “inconfidentes” en el estado de Minas Gerais, en el sudeste de Brasil. La investigación fue realizada por medio de narrativas e historias de vida de las maestras rurales a través del método de conversaciones. Se trabajó con las categorías de género y raza teniendo como marco de referencia la cuestión de la construcción de las varias identidades, con las que las maestras están desarrollando sus carreras profesionales. Los resultados han demostrado que los sujetos de la investigación -las maestras de educación básica de la región-, tienen cierta dificultad de incorporación a las identidades de raza y género en sus prácticas educativas y sociales.
Presentación: rostros de la memoria
Authors: Rabinovich Silvana
Published: November 2016

Presentación.
Current Developments and Best Practice in Open and Distance Learning
Authors: Rocha Trinidade Armando , Carmo Hermano , Bidarra José
Published: November 2016

Through the many documents regularly emitted by those dedicated to this activity, it is comparatively easy to describe factual developments in the field of open and distance education in different places in the world. However, it is much more difficult to produce judgements of value about their quality. Quality is a subjective rather than an absolute concept and may be examined from different analytical perspectives: consumers' satisfaction level, intrinsic value of scientific and technical content of learning materials, soundness of learning strategies, efficiency of organisation and procedures, adequate use of advanced technologies, reliability of student support mechanisms, etc.

These parameters should be put into the context of specific objectives, nature of target populations and availability of different kinds of resources. In a specific geographic, social, economic and cultural situation a given set of solutions might be judged as adequate and deserving the qualification of "good practice", while in a different context it could be considered of rather poor quality.

The selection of examples in this article is the sole responsibility of the authors: neither should the chosen cases be considered as clearly better than any other one, nor missing cases be interpreted as lack of appreciation or a negative judgement.

Finally, the authors are aware of the risks of interpreting trends and trying to extrapolate them into the near future: readers should use their own judgement in accepting (or forcefully rejecting) these projections.
Online Delivery of Programmes: A case study of IGNOU
Authors: Sharma Ramesh
Published: November 2016

Online education is the most exciting segment in the Indian IT space. A host of e-education sites continue to enter the market with focused offerings, linking up students and teachers, almost on a daily basis. This is happening because the new medium seeks to supplement -- not replace -- traditional teaching-learning methodologies. Keeping in view the global and in country/domestic market changes, India has to play a vital role in terms of software exports, skilled manpower support, and online education. With India currently in the midst of a "dotcom" wave, Indira Ghandi National Open University (IGNOU) has taken the initiative in launching online in January 2000 two of its educational computer programmes. In July 2000 it launched twenty capsule courses (each comprising three courses) in different specialization areas of management [http://www.ignou.com/index.htm]. Each of these capsules addresses one specific functional or specialization area, one basic course pertaining to that specialization and a project course. The Bachelor of Information Technology and Advanced Diploma in Information Technology programmes are offered through a Virtual Campus Initiative (VCI). Management Programme capsule courses are offered through Project MEIDS (Management Education through Interactive Delivery Systems).
Athabasca University: Conversion from Traditional Distance Education to Online Courses, Programs and Services
Authors: Davis Alan
Published: November 2016

In its 30 years of operation, Athabasca University has witnessed the full impact of the growth of online distance education. Its conversion from mixed media course production and telephone/mail tutoring to a variety of electronic information and communication technologies has been heterogeneous across disciplines and programs. Undergraduate programs in business, computing, and some social science programs have largely led the conversion, and all graduate programs have, since their inception, employed various features of online delivery. The parallel conversion of student services has been equally important to the effectiveness of these processes. The implications of this approach for the quality of offerings, support systems, costing, and the primary mandate of the University (which is to remove barriers, not create them) are discussed.