bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sedimentological changes caused by human impact at the artificial channel of Medjerda-River (Coastal zone of Medjerda, Tunisia)
Authors: Benmoussa Thouraya , Amrouni Oula , Dezileau Laurent , Mahé Gil , Abdeljaouad Saâdi
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Recent sedimentary and morphological changes at the new mouth of
Medjerda-River (Gulf of Tunis) are investigated using a multiproxy approach
of sediment cores complited by 210Pbex and 137Cs method dating. The
subject of the study is to focus on surveying the sedimentary evolution of
Medjerda-Raoued Delta caused by the human intervention in the management of
the main tributaries of the Medjerda-River (artificial channel of Henchir
Tobias). Sediment cores (CEM-1 and CEM-3) were subjected to both multiproxy
approaches (Grain size, geochemical analysis and dating radiometric
210Pbex and 137Cs). The sedimentological analysis of the new
deltaic deposits shows a progradation sequence with the silt and clay
deposits on the historic sandy substratum. The mean grain size evolution on
the old beach profile shows a decreasing trend from backshore (CEM-3) to
nearshore (CEM-1). The geochemical results show varying concentrations of
chemical elements such as Fe, K, Rb, Nb, Cr, Ti, Ba, Ca, Sr, Zr, V, and
potentially toxic metal trace elements such as Pb, Zn and the As. The
Principal component Analysis (PCA) applied in the geochemical elements
evolution confirms the marine origin of the sand deposits in the basic layers
of the two cores. The chronological method (210Pbex and 137Cs)
affirms that the first fluvial deposits were set up only after 1950. The
sedimentological and geochemical result confirm the actual unless of coarser
fluvial supplies under the human activities leading the negative coastal
sediment balance and the shoreline retreat as well.
As Good or Better than Commercial Textbooks: Students’ Perceptions and Outcomes from Using Open Digital and Open Print Textbooks
Authors: Jhangiani Rajiv S , Dastur Farhad N , Le Grand Richard , Penner Kurt
Published: April 2018

The increase in the cost of college textbooks together with the proliferation of digital content and devices has inspired the development of open textbooks, open educational resources that are free, openly licensed, and often peer-reviewed. Although several published studies have investigated the impact of open textbook adoption on educational outcomes, none have separated the effects of textbook openness and format and only two have taken place in Canada (Hendricks, Reinsberg, & Rieger, 2017; Jhangiani & Jhangiani, 2017). This study investigates the perceptions, use, and course performance of Canadian post-secondary students assigned a commercial or open textbook in either print or digital format. Results show that students using the print format of the open textbook perceive its quality to be superior to the commercial textbook. Moreover, students assigned an open textbook in either format perform either no differently from or better than those assigned a commercial textbook. These results are consistent with the existing literature and support the conclusion that the cost savings to students associated with the adoption of open textbooks do not come at the expense of resource quality or student performance.
L’augmentation du coût des manuels universitaires ainsi que la prolifération du contenu numérique et des appareils électroniques ont inspiré le développement de manuels ouverts, des ressources éducationnelles qui sont gratuites, dont les licences d’exploitation sont ouvertes et qui sont souvent évalués par les pairs. Bien que plusieurs études publiées aient étudié l’impact de l’adoption de manuels ouverts sur les résultats éducationnels, aucune n’a séparé les effets du caractère ouvert des manuels et du format et seulement deux études ont été menées au Canada (Hendricks, Reinsberg & Rieger, 2017; Jhangiani & Jhangiani, 2017). Cette étude examine les perceptions, l’emploi et les résultats des étudiants dans des établissements d’enseignement supérieur canadiens à qui on avait assigné un manuel commercial ou un manuel ouvert en format imprimé ou numérique. Les résultats ont montré que les étudiants qui avaient utilisé le format imprimé du manuel ouvert avaient perçu que sa qualité était supérieure à celle du manuel commercial. De plus, les étudiants à qui on avait assigné un manuel ouvert dans l’un ou l’autre des formats avaient obtenu des résultats semblables à ceux des étudiants à qui on avait assigné un manuel commercial. Ces résultats concordent avec les publications existantes et confirment la conclusion que les économies de coûts pour les étudiants liées à l’adoption de manuels ouverts n’entraînent pas une dégradation de la qualité des ressources ni des résultats des étudiants.
Globalización y democracia
Authors: Editor El
Published: April 2018

No absttract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 81, 2001: 247-250
Cohen, E., Franco, R., Evaluación de proyectos sociales
Authors: González Luis Armando
Published: April 2018

No absttract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 81, 2001: 381-382
Izquierda y derecha en política
Authors: Rodríguez Kauth Ángel
Published: April 2018

No abstract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 82, 2001: 467-480
Integración de monopolios y la oligarquía de los medios en Centroamérica
Authors: Rockwell Rick , Jonus Noreene , Caro Albasari
Published: April 2018

No abstract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 82, 2001: 481-499
McFarland, L.J., Senn, L.E.; Childress, J.R., Liderazgo para el siglo XXI. Diálogos con 100 líderes destacados ; Showdhuri, S. Management siglo XX
Authors: González Luis Armando
Published: April 2018

No abstract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 82, 2001: 559-561
Fundamentos filosóficos de la crítica ellacuriana al movimiento revolucionario
Authors: Alvarenga Luis
Published: April 2018

No abstract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 83, 2001: 735-761
Cardenal, R., El poder eclesiástico en El Salvador, 1871-1931 ; Marroquín, A.D., Apreciación sociológica de la independencia salvadoreña
Authors: González Luis Armando
Published: April 2018

No abstract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 84, 2001: 895-898
PERCEPÇÃO, PAISAGEM E EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL: UMA INVESTIGAÇÃO COM ESTUDANTES NO MUNICÍPIO DE IRATI, PARANÁ
Authors: Iurk Mariângela Ceschim , Biondi Daniela , Dlugosz Fernando Luís
Published: April 2018

Esta pesquisa foi realizada durante os meses de maio, junho e julho de 2016 e teve como objetivo verificar a percepção sobre remanescentes florestais pela visão de discentes de onze colégios estaduais do município de Irati (PR), a fim de analisar o quanto a educação ambiental pode estar relacionada aos níveis de conhecimento e atitudes de conservação e preservação do ambiente. Para obtenção dos dados, foi realizada a aplicação de um questionário pré-teste, seguido de uma palestra e, por fim, um questionário pós-teste. Participaram da pesquisa 718 estudantes no pré-teste e 654 no pós-teste, residentes em todos os bairros do município e em 49 comunidades rurais. Por meio da análise de dados de Wilcoxon, constatou-se que 63,7% das respostas foram significativas ou altamente significativas. A questão 10, que se referia às espécies que compõem a Floresta Ombrófila Mista, foi a que apresentou respostas significativas e altamente significativas. No teste doqui-quadrado, rejeitou-se a hipótese de nulidade, pois houve associação entre os grupos dos colégios amostrados. Na análise do percentual das respostas, a questão 10 apresentou maior acréscimo no percentual, indicando maior reconhecimento das espécies. Dessa forma, trabalhos de educação ambiental são ferramentas extremamente úteis para a mudança de atitudes da comunidade como um todo, garantindo, assim, a conservação das florestas e a manutenção do equilíbrio ambiental.
ANÁLISE FÍSICA E AVALIAÇÃO DO EFEITO ANTIFÚNGICO DOS ÓLEOS DE ANDIROBA, COPAÍBA E PINHÃO-MANSO
Authors: Sousa Sara Freitas de , Paes Juarez Benigno , Arantes Marina Donária Chaves , Martinez Lopez Yonny , Brocco Victor Fassina
Published: April 2018

Óleos de andiroba, copaíba e pinhão-manso são estudados por serem empregados em fins variados, como sabões, velas, medicamentos, biodiesel, tintas, fiação de lã e lustração de móveis. Também, são utilizados como inseticidas, fungicidas e moluscicidas. Objetivou-se neste trabalho caracterizar as propriedades físicas dos óleos de andiroba, copaíba e pinhão-manso, puros ou enriquecidos com iodo sublimado (I2) e avaliar sua eficiência contra fungos de podridão parda e branca. Os óleos de andiroba e copaíba foram oriundos de comunidades do município de Santarém (PA) e o óleo de pinhão-manso, da Fazenda Tamanduá, município de Santa Terezinha (PB). Foram determinadas as características físicas (pH, índice de acidez, viscosidade e densidade) dos óleos e realizado o ensaio de toxidez em meio de cultura com fungos de podridão parda e branca. O enriquecimento dos óleos com iodo (I2) proporcionou aumento da viscosidade. Foi constatada menor densidade para o óleo puro de andiroba e copaíba do que para o enriquecido com 5% de I2. O incremento de iodo nas soluções propiciou a diminuição de pH nos óleos de andiroba e copaíba, além do aumento do índice de acidez do óleo de andiroba. Para a avaliação da eficiência, os óleos foram empregados puros ou enriquecidos com iodo sublimado. No ensaio de toxidez em meio de cultura, para o fungo Trametes versicolor, a maior inibição em 20 dias foi para o tratamento com andiroba 1% de I2. Para o fungo Postia placenta, a maior inibição foi constatada para o tratamento com óleo de andiroba com 5% de I2.
MÉTODOS DE AMOSTRAGEM DE ÁREA VARIÁVEL PARA A REGENERAÇÃO NATURAL DE Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish
Authors: Araújo Emanuel José Gomes de , Péllico Netto Sylvio , Morais Vinícius Augusto , David Hassan Camil , Curto Rafaella De Angeli , Scolforo José Roberto Soares
Published: April 2018

O objetivo deste trabalho foi aplicar e avaliar o desempenho de métodos de amostragem de área variável em regeneração natural da espécie candeia em áreas submetidas ao sistema de manejo com porta sementes. Os dados foram coletados em 46 Unidades de Estudos com regeneração natural da espécie. Foram simuladas variações estruturais dos métodos de amostragem de Strand e Prodan para estimar o número de plantas por hectare e a altura média. Os valores estimados foram comparados com o valor de referência por meio de regressão, do coeficiente de correlação Pearson e do índice de concordância de Willmott. O desempenho foi avaliado pela associação da correlação de Pearson com o índice de Willmott. O teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis foi aplicado para verificar diferenças estatísticas entre as médias estimadas e a referencial. O método de Strand com linhas de 4 e 5 m foi preciso e exato na estimativa da densidade e da altura média. O método de Prodan superestimou a densidade, mas foi preciso para estimar a altura média. Conclui-se que o método de amostragem de Strand, utilizando linha de 4 m de comprimento, pode ser utilizado para amostrar a regeneração natural da espécie candeia, que apresenta padrão espacial agregado.
Development of clinical judgment model to guide nursing interns
Authors: Ibrahim Azza Fathi , Aly Azza Anwar
Published: April 2018

Every day and every moment, nurses have to deal with a wide variety of patient’s issues and problems, with multiple difficulties and conflicts. Nurse’s judgment considers the core component of healthcare activities. This judgment directs her/his achievement and choices, not for her/him only, but for other healthcare professionals. Thus, nurses have to be competent observers and decision makers with reasoning and sound regarding their intervention and practice. Clinical judgment skills are essential aptitudes in nursing practice, predominantly, in nursing internship intermediary period, in which, a graduate nurse faced several predicaments and obstacles in such transitory experience from academic work to real labor. The present study aimed to develop a clinical judgment model to guide nursing interns in their nursing practice and assess its effectiveness on nursing interns’ clinical judgment knowledge and skills. The study passed through Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research design. A stratified random sampling approach was used to recruit 50 nursing interns as an experimental group out of 305. The collection of data was carried out in the following hospitals of nurses’ intern’s training: Damanhur Medical National Institute, El Raee El Saleh, El Farok and Kafer El Dawar Hospitals, in Damanhur, Egypt. The Clinical Judgment Evaluation Sheet (CJES) was employed to collect necessary data. It included two parts: the Clinical Judgment Knowledge Test that was developed by Fathi & Aly in 2018, beside the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR) that was developed by Kathie Lasater et al., in 2009. Results before using the developed model demonstrated that there were observed lacking in knowledge and skills about clinical judgment in nursing practice among experimental group. Then improvements were noticed after using the developed clinical judgment model. These results confirm that the use of an educational and self-learning reference such as the developed clinical judgment model is a successful tool for Egyptian nursing interns in nursing practice. Conclusion and recommendations: There is an understandable deficiency of nursing interns’ clinical judgment knowledge and skills in nursing practice. But, after using the developed clinical judgment model with them as a self-learning reference, it was confirmed that it is a helpful approach to develop and improve clinical judgment knowledge and skills of nursing interns. Creativity in using instructional aides and self-learning approaches is an essential ability that is important among nurse educators and preceptors who direct nursing intern’s performance. For further sturdies, replicate the study using the developed model with different subjects in nursing practice or develop new instructive models about creative, reflective, discovery, and decision-making models among nursing interns.
Fas promoter -670 polymorphism and the risk of cervical cancer: A case-control study in multi-ethnic Malaysia
Authors: Tan Yee Hock , Syed Husain Sharifah Noor Akmal , Mohd Sidik Shiran , Rosli Rozita , Chong Pei Pei
Published: April 2018

Background/Objective: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a commonly occurring DNA sequence variation within the human population. The prevalence of these sequence variations differs in various populations and may lead to the suboptimal regulation of genes, including those of the apoptosis pathway. The regulation of cellular death is partially controlled by the interaction between tumor necrosis factor receptor family gene, Fas and its ligand, FasL. A base substitution in Fas -670 A>G (rs1800682) has been found to alter the binding affinity of the Fas protein to its activators, potentially altering its apoptotic potential. The lack of proper apoptosis regulation can lead to a wide plethora of human conditions involving uncontrolled cellular growth such as cancer. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether there was any association between the Fas -670 polymorphism and risk of cervical cancer in multi-ethnic Malaysian women.Methods: Using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR), Chi-square and logistic regression analysis, this study investigated the Fas -670 SNP and its associations with cervical cancer in the multi-ethnic population of Malaysia.Results: No significant associations were found between Fas -670 A>G SNP and risk of cervical cancer using the genotype model, dominant model and allele frequency model analysis, even after stratification into the Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnic subgroups; and cancer types.Conclusions: Our results showed that the A>G SNP of Fas -670 does not affect the risk of cervical carcinogenesis in Malaysian females.
Clinical education of nurse practitioner students: Identifying incentives, barriers, and working models to develop sustainable preceptorships
Authors: Davis Lindsay F. , Fathman Amy E.
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this article is to discuss ongoing barriers nurse practitioner (NP) programs face securing clinical education opportunities, identify incentives to precept, and introduce working models to sustain quality placements. A comprehensive review of literature related to NP preceptorships was performed. Commonly identified barriers included lack of compensation and decreased productivity. Motivating factors included a desire to give back to the profession and credit toward recertification. Working models to establish academic practice partnerships, streamline patient schedules, and prepare preceptors were shown to positively impact the precepting experience. Novel approaches to NP clinical education are necessary to create robust and sustainable learning opportunities.
Pharmacological aspects of hydrazides and hydrazide derivatives
Authors: Abidov Musa T.
Published: April 2018

Intense search for new antimicrobials, including anti-tuberculosis drugs, is dictated by the phenomenon of bacterial multidrug resistance. Hydrazides are considered the key intermediate and valuable starting material for some novel biologically active compounds. Over 70% of recently reported synthetic hydrazide derivatives are evaluated for antimicrobial and/or antifungal activity. The most frequently applied hydrazide is an anti- tuberculosis drug isoniazid/isonicotinic acid hydrazide (NIH). Hydrazide chemicals are sharing a common functional group characterized by a nitrogen- to-nitrogen covalent bond with four substituents with at least one of them being an acyl group, whereas the related hydrazines do not carry an acyl group. Hydrazides can be further classified by atom attached to the oxygen: carbohydrazides, sulfonohydrazides, phosphonic dihydrazides, hydrazone-hydrazides and phthalhydrazides. In addition to their antibacterial and antifungal activities, hydrazide derivatives have recently attracted continuing interest because of their anti-inflammatory properties. A phthalhydrazide derivative tamerit/galavit has been successfully introduced for human therapies.
Household purchasing of cheap alcohol: Who would be most affected by minimum unit pricing?
Authors: Ejebu Ourega-Zoé , McKenzie Lynda , Ludbrook Anne
Published: April 2018

Minimum unit pricing of alcohol has been proposed as a more effective policy for reducing alcohol-related harms than general taxation. Growing international evidence points to its effectiveness in targeting high risk drinkers, but concerns about the impact on low risk drinkers and those on low incomes remain. This paper uniquely models the potential effect on both low risk and low income purchasers in a Scottish subsample of UK panel data from introducing a minimum unit price and addresses the impact of missing income data on the results. Weekly household purchases of cheap off-sales alcohol from Kantar Worldpanel (2008-2010) are analysed using Hausman-Taylor, Tobit and OLS models. Explanatory variables include economic and demographic characteristics of the households, average alcohol purchasing level for all off-sales alcohol, and characteristics of alcohol products purchased. The number of cheap alcohol units purchased are predicted by income group and purchasing level. Results indicate that the amount of cheap alcohol purchased is positively associated with the average purchasing level for all off-sales alcohol. Lower occupational group is associated with purchasing more units of cheap alcohol. Type of alcohol and purchasing alcohol on promotion are also highly significant. Predicted quantities of cheap alcohol purchased are not higher for the low-income group. Households in the top decile of alcohol purchasing level are predicted to purchase between 18 units of cheap alcohol weekly (low income) and 24 units (intermediate income). There was no evidence of bias due to missing income data. Minimum unit pricing for alcohol will have most impact on households purchasing the most alcohol, at all income levels. Restrictions on promotions should be considered as these are also associated with increased purchasing of cheap alcohol. Published: Online April 2018.
Shipyard Block Logistics Simulation Using Process-centric Discrete Event Simulation Method
Authors: Jeong Yong-Kuk , Lee Philippe , Woo Jong Hun
Published: April 2018

In recent years, shipyards have conducted various studies to accurately investigate their production capacities and improve the accuracy of their production plans. Nevertheless, frequent delays in schedules inevitably occur at production sites. Simulation-based techniques are used in various fields to solve similar problems, especially those related to predicting loads on facilities and upgrading production planning by considering various constraints. Process-centric simulation modeling techniques are used in shipyards because the shipbuilding process has different characteristics from the general manufacturing process. Conventional resource-oriented modeling techniques are inadequate to construct a simulation model to analyze the logistical behavior of shipyards. In this study, a process-oriented simulation modeling method is applied and improved through the identification and development of additional modules needed to simulate the behavior of shipyard logistics. The core of the simulation is improved using a logistic token that can analyze the physical movement effected by each process. Moreover, such process modeling modules as the geographic information system, the route search module, and the spatial arrangement module are developed and integrated into one solution.

1. Introduction

The shipbuilding industry in South Korea was affected by the recent global financial crisis. It has since suffered from a decline in global freight volume that has led to massive losses in all areas of commercial shipping and offshore plants since 2010. The shipbuilding industry in South Korea, especially large shipbuilders, received a large number of orders by competing in the market while reorganizing its business structure around the growth of offshore plants. This move was prompted by the flooding by Chinese shipbuilders of the local market with general merchant vessels (Fig. 1), as well as by prospects for the growing offshore plants' market due to crude oil depletion and high oil prices.

However, the industry has suffered astronomical deficits in recent years due to unexpected losses, and the three major shipbuilders in South Korea are experiencing high operating loss and debt-to-equity ratio (Fig. 2), leading to fears of insolvency. Additional losses are expected due to large backlogs in orders for offshore plants.
Building the Burlington Bay Canal
Authors: Millard Rod
Published: April 2018

This article examines the construction of the Burlington Bay Canal, Upper Canada’s first government-financed internal improvement. Designed in 1824 to create an entrance to a natural harbour at the head of Lake Ontario, the canal was an engineering, financial and political fiasco. Using a staples thesis approach, this study explores the reasons for the canal’s problem.
La dynamique de construction d’une GRH sociétale dans une PME française du secteur de l’économie sociale et solidaire
Authors: Adla Ludivine , Gallego-Roquelaure Virginie
Published: April 2018

Dans notre monde globalisé, l’aire de jeux des acteurs n’est plus circonscrite à la structure, mais elle est, désormais, élargie au territoire. Cet effacement des frontières organisationnelles tend à favoriser le développement d’une logique partenariale, y compris en matière de gestion des ressources humaines (GRH) au regard des bouleversements de l’environnement socio-économique. C’est dans ce contexte actuel qu’une nouvelle forme émergente de GRH apparaît, se situant dans une démarche de RSE (responsabilité sociétale des entreprises) étendue qui ne se restreint plus uniquement à certains aspects sociaux.

L’objectif de cet article est d’étudier une approche alternative de la GRH qui se veut plus sociétale. Nous nous attachons à répondre à la problématique suivante : comment instaurer une GRH sociétale en PME ? Utilisant l’approche contextualiste de Pichault et Nizet (2013), nous soulignons l’importance pour le dirigeant de mobiliser des acteurs tant internes qu’externes pour atteindre cet objectif. À partir du cas d’une PME française du secteur de l’économie solidaire, nous explorons, grâce à des récits de vie, des entretiens semi-directifs, des observations participantes et non participantes, ainsi que des analyses documentaires, le processus de construction de cette nouvelle forme de GRH.

Nos résultats mettent en lumière trois étapes-clés : 1- l’émergence de cette GRH autour de la création d’un pacte social; 2- son évolution source d’adhésion et de frustration; et, enfin, 3-la diffusion de cette GRH alternative auprès des partenaires externes.
Comparative cranial morphology of the Late Cretaceous protostegid sea turtle Desmatochelys lowii
Authors: Raselli Irena
Published: April 2018

Background. The phylogenetic placement of Cretaceous marine turtles, especially Protostegidae, is still under debate among paleontologists. Whereas protostegids were traditionally thought to be situated within the clade of recent marine turtles (Chelonioidea), some recent morphological and molecular studies suggest placement along the stem of Cryptodira. The main reason why the evolution of marine turtles is still poorly understood, is in part due to a lack of insights into the cranial anatomy of protostegids. However, a general availability of high quality fossil material, combined with modern analysis techniques, such as X-ray microtomography (µCT), provide ample opportunity to improve this situation. The scope of this study is to help resolve its phylogenetic relationships by providing a detailed description of the external and internal cranial morphology of the extinct protostegid sea turtle Desmatochelys lowii Williston, 1894 . Material and Methods. This study is based on the well-preserved holotype of Desmatochelys lowii from the Late Cretaceous (middle Cenomanian to early Turonian) Greenhorn Limestone of Jefferson County, Nebraska. The skulls of two recent marine turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata (Cheloniidae) and Dermochelys coriacea (Dermochelyidae), as well as the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina (Chelydridae) provide a comparative basis. All skulls were scanned using regular or micro CT scanners and the scans were then processed with the software program Amira to create 3D isosurface models. In total, 81 bones are virtually isolated, figured, and described, including the nature of their contacts. The novel bone contact data is compiled and utilized in a preliminary phenetic study. In addition, an update phylogenetic analysis is conduced that utilizes newly obtained anatomical insights. Results. The detailed examination of the morphology of the herein used specimens allowed to explore some features of the skull, to refine the scoring of Desmatochelys lowii in the recent global matrix of turtles, and develop five new characters. The alleged pineal foramen in the type skull of Desmatochelys lowii is shown to be the result of damage. Instead, it appears that the pineal gland only approached the skull surface, as it is in Dermochelys coriacea. Whereas the parasphenoid in confirmed to be absent in hard-shelled sea turtles, its possible presence in Desmatochelys lowii is unclear. The results of the phenetic study show that Desmatochelys lowii is least similar to the other examined taxa in regards to the nature of its bone contacts, and therefore suggests a phylogenetic placement outside Americhelydia for this protostegid sea turtle. The phylogenetic study results in a placement of Protostegidae along the stem of Chelonioidea, which is a novel position for the group more congruent with recent molecular calibration analyses.
Biological quality of Tetrastichus howardi (Hym.: Eulophidae) reared with Tenebrio molitor (Col.: Tenebrionidae) pupae after storage at low temperatures for different periods
Authors: Floriano Tiago Elison , Fagundes Pereira Fabrício , Oliveira Kassab Samir , Hidalgo Barbosa Rogério , Garcia Cardoso Carlos R , Cola Zanuncio José
Published: April 2018

Introduction: The endoparasitoid Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) can be reared with the alternative host Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Host storage at low temperatures can regulate parasitoid production and demand in biological control programs. Material and Methods: The life-cycle (egg-adult), parasitism and emergence percentage, number of parasitoids emerged per host pupae, sex ratio and longevity of the T. howardi offspring per T. molitor pupa were evaluated after low temperature storage of this host for different periods and its immature (pupae) in T. molitor pupae for five periods at 10.3 ºC. Tenebrio molitor pupae stored at 0.5 ± 0.09 °C and 2.7 ± 0.11 °C for 10 and 20 days, respectively, were adequate to produce T. howardi. Results: The biological characteristics of this parasitoid were better with T. molitor pupae stored at 0.5 ± 0.09 °C and 2.7 ± 0.11 °C for 10 and 20 days. Tetrastichus howardi immature (pupae) can be stored in T. molitor pupae for 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days at 10.3 ºC, preferably in pupae of this host for 10 days to produce these adults of this parasitoid for biological control programs. Discussion: These results contribute to overcoming one of the difficulties encountered in the massive production of parasitoids which is to obtain large numbers of suitable hosts when they are needed. Therefore, the possibility of conserving T. molitor pupae to rear T. howardi will be useful to use this natural enemy in biological pest control programs. Keywords: Biological control, Cold storage, Parasitoids, Progeny.
Somatic hypermutation of T cell receptor α chain contributes to selection in nurse shark thymus
Authors: Ott Jeannine A , Castro Caitlin D , Deiss Thaddeus C , Ohta Yuko , Flajnik Martin F , Criscitiello Michael F
Published: April 2018

Since the discovery of the T cell receptor (TcR), immunologists have assigned somatic hypermutation (SHM) as a mechanism employed solely by B cells to diversify their antigen receptors. Remarkably, we found SHM acting in the thymus on α chain locus of shark TcR. SHM in developing shark T cells likely is catalyzed by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and results in both point and tandem mutations that accumulate non-conservative amino acid replacements within complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). Mutation frequency at TcRα was as high as that seen at B cell receptor loci (BcR) in sharks and mammals, and the mechanism of SHM shares unique characteristics first detected at shark BcR loci. Additionally, fluorescence in situ hybridization showed the strongest AID expression in thymic corticomedullary junction and medulla. We suggest that TcRα utilizes SHM to broaden diversification of the primary αβ T cell repertoire in sharks, the first reported use in vertebrates.
Rat anterior cingulate cortex recalls features of remote reward locations after disfavoured reinforcements
Authors: Mashhoori Ali , Hashemnia Saeedeh , McNaughton Bruce L , Euston David R , Gruber Aaron J
Published: April 2018

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) encodes information supporting mnemonic and cognitive processes. We show here that a rat’s position can be decoded with high spatiotemporal resolution from ACC activity. ACC neurons encoded the current state of the animal and task, except for brief excursions that sometimes occurred at target feeders. During excursions, the decoded position became more similar to a remote target feeder than the rat’s physical position. Excursions recruited activation of neurons encoding choice and reward, and the likelihood of excursions at a feeder was inversely correlated with feeder preference. These data suggest that the excursion phenomenon was related to evaluating real or fictive choice outcomes, particularly after disfavoured reinforcements. We propose that the multiplexing of position with choice-related information forms a mental model isomorphic with the task space, which can be mentally navigated via excursions to recall multimodal information about the utility of remote locations.
Histone Deacetylase 7 mediates tissue-specific autoimmunity via control of innate effector function in invariant Natural Killer T Cells
Authors: Kasler Herbert G , Lee Intelly S , Lim Hyung W , Verdin Eric
Published: April 2018

We report that Histone Deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) controls the thymic effector programming of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells, and that interference with this function contributes to tissue-specific autoimmunity. Gain of HDAC7 function in thymocytes blocks both negative selection and NKT development, and diverts Vα14/Jα18 TCR transgenic thymocytes into a Tconv-like lineage. Conversely, HDAC7 deletion promotes thymocyte apoptosis and causes expansion of innate-effector cells. Investigating the mechanisms involved, we found that HDAC7 binds PLZF and modulates PLZF-dependent transcription. Moreover, HDAC7 and many of its transcriptional targets are human risk loci for IBD and PSC, autoimmune diseases that strikingly resemble the disease we observe in HDAC7 gain-of-function in mice. Importantly, reconstitution of iNKT cells in these mice mitigated their disease, suggesting that the combined defects in negative selection and iNKT cells due to altered HDAC7 function can cause tissue-restricted autoimmunity, a finding that may explain the association between HDAC7 and hepatobiliary autoimmunity.
Free-energy simulations reveal molecular mechanism for functional switch of a DNA helicase
Authors: Ma Wen , Whitley Kevin D , Chemla Yann R , Luthey-Schulten Zaida , Schulten Klaus
Published: April 2018

Helicases play key roles in genome maintenance, yet it remains elusive how these enzymes change conformations and how transitions between different conformational states regulate nucleic acid reshaping. Here, we developed a computational technique combining structural bioinformatics approaches and atomic-level free-energy simulations to characterize how the Escherichia coli DNA repair enzyme UvrD changes its conformation at the fork junction to switch its function from unwinding to rezipping DNA. The lowest free-energy path shows that UvrD opens the interface between two domains, allowing the bound ssDNA to escape. The simulation results predict a key metastable 'tilted' state during ssDNA strand switching. By simulating FRET distributions with fluorophores attached to UvrD, we show that the new state is supported quantitatively by single-molecule measurements. The present study deciphers key elements for the 'hyper-helicase' behavior of a mutant and provides an effective framework to characterize directly structure-function relationships in molecular machines.
Symbiotic immuno-suppression: is disease susceptibility the price of bleaching resistance?
Authors: Merselis Daniel G. , Lirman Diego , Rodriguez-Lanetty Mauricio
Published: April 2018

Accelerating anthropogenic climate change threatens to destroy coral reefs worldwide through the processes of bleaching and disease. These major contributors to coral mortality are both closely linked with thermal stress intensified by anthropogenic climate change. Disease outbreaks typically follow bleaching events, but a direct positive linkage between bleaching and disease has been debated. By tracking 152 individual coral ramets through the 2014 mass bleaching in a South Florida coral restoration nursery, we revealed a highly significant negative correlation between bleaching and disease in the Caribbean staghorn coral,Acropora cervicornis. To explain these results, we propose a mechanism for transient immunological protection through coral bleaching: removal ofSymbiodiniumduring bleaching may also temporarily eliminate suppressive symbiont modulation of host immunological function. We contextualize this hypothesis within an ecological perspective in order to generate testable predictions for future investigation.
Description and spatial inference of soil drainage using matrix soil colours in the Lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Malone Brendan P. , McBratney Alex B. , Minasny Budiman
Published: April 2018

Soil colour is often used as a general purpose indicator of internal soil drainage. In this study we developed a necessarily simple model of soil drainage which combines the tacit knowledge of the soil surveyor with observed matrix soil colour descriptions. From built up knowledge of the soils in our Lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales study area, the sequence of well-draining → imperfectly draining → poorly draining soils generally follows the colour sequence of red → brown → yellow → grey → black soil matrix colours. For each soil profile, soil drainage is estimated somewhere on a continuous index of between 5 (very well drained) and 1 (very poorly drained) based on the proximity or similarity to reference soil colours of the soil drainage colour sequence. The estimation of drainage index at each profile incorporates the whole-profile descriptions of soil colour where necessary, and is weighted such that observation of soil colour at depth and/or dominantly observed horizons are given more preference than observations near the soil surface. The soil drainage index, by definition disregards surficial soil horizons and consolidated and semi-consolidated parent materials. With the view to understanding the spatial distribution of soil drainage we digitally mapped the index across our study area. Spatial inference of the drainage index was made using Cubist regression tree model combined with residual kriging. Environmental covariates for deterministic inference were principally terrain variables derived from a digital elevation model. Pearson’s correlation coefficients indicated the variables most strongly correlated with soil drainage were topographic wetness index (−0.34), mid-slope position (−0.29), multi-resolution valley bottom flatness index (−0.29) and vertical distance to channel network (VDCN) (0.26). From the regression tree modelling, two linear models of soil drainage were derived. The partitioning of models was based upon threshold criteria of VDCN. Validation of the regression kriging model using a withheld dataset resulted in a root mean square error of 0.90 soil drainage index units. Concordance between observations and predictions was 0.49. Given the scale of mapping, and inherent subjectivity of soil colour description, these results are acceptable. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of soil drainage predicted in our study area is attuned with our mental model developed over successive field surveys. Our approach, while exclusively calibrated for the conditions observed in our study area, can be generalised once the unique soil colour and soil drainage relationship is expertly defined for an area or region in question. With such rules established, the quantitative components of the method would remain unchanged.
БИОАКТИВНЫЕ СВОЙСТВА НАНОХИТОЗАНА BOMBYX MORI, "Высокомолекулярные соединения. Серия С"
Authors: Милушева Р. Ю. , Рашидова С.Ш.
Published: April 2018

Осуществлен синтез нанохитозана с размером частиц в диапазоне 20-100 нм из хитозана Bombyx mori. Показано, что препараты на основе хитозана и нанохитозана характеризуются выраженной антибактериальной активностью. Нанохитозан обладает способностью существенно увеличивать иммунный отклик живой системы: повышает число клеток как в центральных (тимус, костный мозг), так и в периферических (лимфатические узлы) органах иммунитета у мышей.
Inflamassoma e sua repercussão clínica: revisão da literatura
Authors: Paiva-Oliveira Eustaquio Luiz , Silva Arthur Carvalho , Silva Rodrigo Massaroli , Sevenini Lais Albani , Melo Heros Almeida , Lagrota-Candido Jussara Machado , Quirico-Santos Thereza
Published: April 2018

O inflamassoma é um complexo multiproteico intracelular que atua na ativação de enzimas da família cisteína-aspartato proteases (CASPASES) como uma estrutura essencial para a regulação da imunidade em condições fisiológicas e no reconhecimento de sinais de perigo a diferentes componentes. Estes sinais podem ser produtos microbianos, adjuvantes ou alterações no ambiente iônico intra e extracelular. A participação do inflamassoma está confirmada na patogênese de várias doenças inflamatórias, cuja atuação é moldada pelo tipo de ativação e influenciada pelo microambiente, criando um perfil patogênico diferente para cada doença. O inflamassoma estabelece um envolvimento estreito com a inflamação patológica, pela ativação de vias intracelulares de morte por apoptose, piroptose e necrose, sendo um alvo potencial para o desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas para doenças de base inflamatória. Esta revisão aborda a importância do inflamassoma na patogênese de algumas doenças inflamatórias como choque séptico, artrite reumatóide, dor neuropática crônica, gota e epilepsia.
Spatial structure of a courtyard‐style settlement originating from a Buddhist monastery: A study of a cooperative space management system in an old city area of Patan, part 1
Authors: Shakya Lata , Takada Mitsuo , Kanki Kiyoko
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the spatial characteristics of a courtyard‐style settlement (Bahā/Bahī, originating from Buddhist Monasteries) are illustrated. First, the transition process of the Bahā/Bahī from a place of learning for celibate monks to an ordinary residence for non‐celibate monks is clarified. Second, a framework is developed to analyze the spatial structures of the present Bahā/Bahī, which was extracted from the spatial structure of typical Bahā/Bahī by examining the relationship between the courtyard's surrounding buildings and its accessibility. Lastly, the framework is applied to 65 exemplars of Bahā/Bahī in the old city area of Patan. As a result, 12 types of spatial structures were discovered, and the characteristics of the major types were determined.
John Dewey and Adult Educators in Historical Context
Authors: Kett Joseph F.
Published: April 2018

By comparing Dewey to adult educators who shared his philosophical values but not his faith in the promise of public schools, this chapter provides a fresh perspective on his concept of building education on experience.
Vocational Education at Play in the Fields of the Imaginary
Authors: Merrill Michael
Published: April 2018

When Dewey's reflections on the philosophy of experience required for a philosophy of education are considered from the standpoint of vocational education, often‐neglected corners and relatively obscure aspects of his thought are illuminated.
Experience and Community Grassroots Education: Social Learning at Standing Rock
Authors: Roumell Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2018

This chapter defines grassroots community education, makes connections to Dewey's philosophy of experiential learning, and then describes a recent occurrence of indigenous activism that illustrates Dewey's relevance to community learning.
Gate‐Dependent Tunnelling Current Modulation of Graphene/hBN Vertical Heterostructures
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Zahir , Siddique Salma , Khan Muhammad Farooq , Rehman Atteq ur , Rehman Adil , Eom Jonghwa
Published: April 2018

Combining with layered thin crystalline films, graphene has expanded its application scope beyond the regime where a gapless semimetal cannot serve. Here, we report the modulation of tunneling characteristics in graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) vertical heterostructure at different interlayer hBN thickness. These results signify an upshift in threshold voltages with hBN layer thickness. Furthermore, the gate‐dependent tunneling characteristics of the device has been demonstrated. The back‐gate voltages are used to adjust the fermi level of bottom graphene layer, which in turns tune the threshold voltages and tunneling current through ultrathin hBN layer. Our findings offer an effective tool to modulate the tunneling characteristics of vertical transistors for their potential applications in high frequency logic and tunnel devices.
Anticancer Activity Driven by Drug Linker Modification in a Polyglutamic Acid‐Based Combination‐Drug Conjugate
Authors: Arroyo‐Crespo Juan J. , Deladriere Coralie , Nebot Vicent J. , Charbonnier David , Masiá Esther , Paul Alison , James Craig , Armiñán Ana , Vicent María J.
Published: April 2018

Combination nanotherapies for the treatment of breast cancer permits synergistic drug targeting of multiple pathways. However, poor carrier degradability, poor synergism of the combined drugs, low drug release regulation, and a lack of control on final macromolecule solution conformation (which drives the biological fate) limit the application of this strategy. The present study describes the development of a family of drug delivery systems composed of chemotherapeutic (doxorubicin) and endocrine therapy (aromatase inhibitor aminoglutethimide) agents conjugated to a biodegradable poly‐l‐glutamic acid backbone via various linking moieties. Data from in vitro cytotoxicity and drug release assessments and animal model validation select a conjugate family member with optimal biological performance. Exhaustive physicochemical characterization in relevant media (including the study of secondary structure, size measurements, and detailed small‐angle neutron scattering analysis) correlates biological data with the intrinsic supramolecular characteristics of the conjugate. Overall, this study demonstrates how a small flexible Gly linker can modify the spatial conformation of the entire polymer–drug conjugate, promote the synergistic release of both drugs, and significantly improve biological activity. These findings highlight the need for a deeper understanding of polymer–drug conjugates at supramolecular level to allow the design of more effective polymer–drug conjugates.
2D Porous TiO2 Single‐Crystalline Nanostructure Demonstrating High Photo‐Electrochemical Water Splitting Performance
Authors: Butburee Teera , Bai Yang , Wang Huanjun , Chen Hongjun , Wang Zhiliang , Liu Gang , Zou Jin , Khemthong Pongtanawat , Lu Gao Qing Max , Wang Lianzhou
Published: April 2018

Porous single crystals are promising candidates for solar fuel production owing to their long range charge diffusion length, structural coherence, and sufficient reactive sites. Here, a simple template‐free method of growing a selectively branched, 2D anatase TiO2 porous single crystalline nanostructure (PSN) on fluorine‐doped tin oxide substrate is demonstrated. An innovative ion exchange–induced pore‐forming process is designed to successfully create high porosity in the single‐crystalline nanostructure with retention of excellent charge mobility and no detriment to crystal structure. PSN TiO2 film delivers a photocurrent of 1.02 mA cm−2 at a very low potential of 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for photo‐electrochemical water splitting, closing to the theoretical value of TiO2 (1.12 mA cm−2). Moreover, the current–potential curve featuring a small potential window from 0.1 to 0.4 V versus RHE under one‐sun illumination has a near‐ideal shape predicted by the Gartner Model, revealing that the charge separation and surface reaction on the PSN TiO2 photoanode are very efficient. The photo‐electrochemical water splitting performance of the films indicates that the ion exchange–assisted synthesis strategy is effective in creating large surface area and single‐crystalline porous photoelectrodes for efficient solar energy conversion.