bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Componentes del paisaje como predictores de cubiertas de vegetación: estudio de caso del estado de Michoacán, México
Authors: Gopar-Merino Luis Fernando , Velázquez Alejandro
Published: August 2016

El estado de Michoacán alberga una yuxtaposición de riquezas culturales y naturales destacable que se entrelazan entre condiciones geológicas, geográficas y ecológicas. Este patrimonio natural y cultural está hoy día amenazado, por ende, los tomadores de decisiones buscan información de línea base para restaurar y reorientar las acciones de desarrollo. El objetivo de este artículo, por tanto, fue predecir los patrones de cubierta vegetal oriunda a través de un método replicable. La predicción se basó en atributos climáticos, geológicos, geomorfológicos y ecológicos, jerárquicamente yuxtapuestos a través de un sistema de información geográfica (SIG). Las reglas de decisión se basaron en lógica booleana dando énfasis a la zonificación bioclimatológica. La predicción de la cubierta vegetal oriunda mostró que los bosques estacionales tropicales cubren la mayor superficie, mientras que la vegetación acuática es la menos representada. Para concluir, los atributos que delimitan el paisaje, jerárquicamente organizados, probaron ser un método robusto y replicable para reconstruir los patrones de la cubierta vegetal oriunda, actualmente en áreas de cobertura antropogénica. Este resultado, expresado en un mapa, servirá como línea base para predecir los escenarios futuros a la luz de los cambios climáticos previstos.
Envejecimiento y urbanización: implicaciones de dos procesos coincidentes
Authors: García Ballesteros Aurora , Jiménez Blasco Beatriz Crisitina
Published: August 2016

El proceso de envejecimiento de la población iniciado en el último tercio del siglo XX en los países más desarrollados se está extendiendo al resto del mundo en el siglo XXI, coincidiendo con la creciente urbanización del planeta que afecta igualmente a todos los territorios, aunque con diferencias patentes entre los países más y menos desarrollados. En este trabajo se revisan las interacciones de envejecimiento y urbanización y algunas de sus implicaciones en la sociedad. Se centra en la situación actual de las personas mayores que cada vez suponen más altas proporciones de la población de cada país y que afrontan grandes dificultades en su día a día, derivadas de sus limitaciones personales, a las que se añaden las múltiples barreras urbanas de unas ciudades pensadas para la población joven y sana.
Las guías urbanas: imagen e invención del espacio de la ciudad de México
Authors: Mendoza Vargas Héctor
Published: August 2016

Este artículo analiza las guías urbanas como una producción cultural que “impone a los viajeros” una percepción espacial de la Ciudad de México (Diego, 2014:60). El análisis centra la atención en los cambios geográficos registrados en las guías bajo una amplia temporalidad de estudio, desde finales del siglo XVIII, al XIX y hasta 1940. Se presenta el espacio del andar y el descubrimiento de la ciudad en las guías hasta 1854; los primeros cambios se detectan de la función administrativa y comercial, en la guía de 1882, a los primeros itinerarios urbanos en la edición de 1891; Interesa situar el panegírico material de la ciudad y las miserias urbanas, de la guía de 1901, en el contexto de relativa paz y tranquilidad del Porfiriato. Se propone una integración interpretativa para situar el cambio de la percepción espacial en una escala temporal, entre los itinerarios urbanos de la guía de 1891 y los circuitos regionales de la guía de 1940 del Valle de México.

 
Determinantes sociales de la viabilidad del turismo alternativo en Atlautla, una comunidad rural del Centro de México
Authors: Méndez Méndez Alberto , García Romero Arturo , Serrano de la Cruz Santos-Olmo Manuel Antonio , Ibarra García Verónica
Published: August 2016

Con frecuencia las propuestas para el desarrollo local son abordadas sin un diagnóstico previo que permita conocer su viabilidad desde el punto de vista social. La investigación está enfocada a evaluar la viabilidad social del turismo alternativo en una localidad con un adecuado potencial natural-cultural para este tipo de actividad, como lo es el municipio de Atlautla, en la vertiente occidental del volcán Popocatépetl. Se consideraron tres factores determinantes: la percepción local del atractivo turístico, la disposición e interés de participar y el nivel de organización de la comunidad. La información se obtuvo mediante encuestas aleatorias y entrevistas con informantes clave; paralelamente se realizó el inventario y valoración de los atractivos turísticos de la comunidad. Los resultados obtenidos dejan ver que los habitantes tienen un conocimiento claro del atractivo turístico de su territorio y suficiente interés y disposición en participar; sin embargo, su capacidad organizativa no es óptima y está limitada principalmente por diferencias y conflictos internos, mostrando una inconsistencia entre el alto potencial turístico de la comunidad y sus posibilidades de orden social actuales.
The production of vulnerability to landslides: the risk habitus in two landslide-prone neighborhoods in Teziutlan, Mexico
Authors: Hernández Aguilar Bertha , Ruiz Rivera Naxhelli
Published: August 2016

Este artículo es un análisis de algunas de las condiciones que reproducen la vulnerabilidad  social ante deslizamientos de ladera en dos asentamientos de la ciudad de Teziutlán, Puebla. La propuesta presentada parte del conocimiento de las percepciones, valoraciones y acciones que reproducen condiciones de riesgo a partir de la propuesta conceptual de habitus de riesgo, a partir de la perspectiva sociológica de Pierre Bourdieu. Este marco conceptual aporta elementos para comprender las lógicas que imperan en los habitantes de los asentamientos de Teziutlán ante situaciones potenciales de riesgo por deslizamientos de ladera. La propuesta que aquí se desarrolla busca interpretar comparativamente las condiciones que reproducen la vulnerabilidad a partir del análisis cuantitativo del capital social, cultural y simbólico (basado en  redes familiares, solidaridad entre vecinos, confianza a las autoridades,  las experiencias de situaciones de desastres, percepción del riesgo y el tiempo de residencia en la vivienda actual) de las dos comunidades en estudio. Los resultados muestran que las valoraciones sobre el nivel de preparación para enfrentar una situación de riesgo son determinantes para explicar su vulnerabilidad, sin importar el nivel de la exposición a la amenaza al que estén sujetos. Esto se relaciona con el alto nivel de confianza que tienen hacia las autoridades locales,  así como la seguridad de que estas autoridades los ayudaran en una situación de desastre. Por otro lado, la población de ambas comunidades manifiesta expectativas altas de que sufrirán daños en condiciones similares si ocurriera un evento de desastre como en el pasado, aun cuando ambas comunidades tienen distintos niveles de exposición a deslizamientos. En ambos casos, la población cree fuertemente en su capacidad de respuesta antes deslizamientos de ladera, a pesar de que ninguna de las comunidades invierte tiempo o recursos en prevención.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WOOD ESSENTIAL OIL OF Aniba cinnamomiflora C. K. Allen FROM VENEZUELAN ANDES
Authors: Marcano Enid Esperanza , Padilla-Baretic Adriana , Rojas-Fermín Luis , Mora-Vivas Flor D. , Ferrer-Pereira Hernán
Published: August 2016

Aniba cinnamomiflora  C. K. Allen  es una especie arbórea de la familia Lauraceae que produce aceite esencial. Se presenta un estudio sobre el producto de la hidrodestilación de partículas de madera provenientes de ramas de  Aniba cinnamomiflora. El 0,05% de aceite esencial fue obtenido. El aceite esencial fue analizado por cromatografia de gases y espectrometria de masas. Fueron identificados quince compuestos (98.55%) del total recuperado. El principal componente (54.00%) corresponde al lípido γ-palmitolactona, seguido por 1-epi-cubenol (9.56%), δ-cadineno (6.05%), t-cadinol (5.00%) y chamazuleno (3.53%) . Este es el primer reporte del studio del aceite esencial de la madera de Aniba cinnamomiflora.
El uso de la historia de las ciencias en la enseñanza de la física: una aplicación para el electromagnetismo
Authors: Perea María Andrea , Buteler Laura María
Published: August 2016

En este trabajo se presenta una revisión de propuestas para la utilización de la Historia de las Ciencias en la enseñanza, a las cuáles agrupamos de acuerdo a las finalidades que persiguen: evocar descubrimientos, resaltar la dimensión humana de las Ciencias mediante el aporte de grandes científicos, enseñar los procesos científicos, detectar las preconcepciones de los estudiantes y enseñar conceptos, y destacar las bases socio-culturales de las ideas y de la investigación científica. Discutimos por qué consideramos que éste último enfoque engloba a los demás, y elaboramos lineamientos generales para la incorporación de la HC en un caso concreto del campo electromagnético. Nuestra propuesta se enfoca en la controversia entre “Acción a distancia” vs. “Campo”, y está elaborada en base a experimentos cruciales realizados por Heinrich Hertz.
Determination of administrative proficiencies of head nurses in Turkısh Hospitals
Authors: Türkmen Sultan , Hisar Filiz
Published: August 2016

Background: The head nurses are the ones who are responsible for operating care units and managing the nurses in the unit. They are required to have the administrative skills needed to perform these dutiesAim: This study was carried out with the aim of determining the administrative proficiency of head nurses.Methods: The study population comprised head nurses, including nursing instructors working in public and university hospitals in Turkey. The sample included 511 head nurses who were selected within the seven geographical regions of Turkey by simple random sampling. The data gathered in the study, demographic information forms, and the Head Nurse Proficiency Rating Scale were assessed with the t-test in number, percent, and independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey Tests.Results: In this study the proficiency level of the head nurses working in Turkey was examined. It was found that they were most proficient in the management of general units and least proficient in care management; but insufficient in planning the future assignment/ career of their employees of subgroups of scala. When considering the factors associated with competencies of the service head nurse; significant statistical differences between all personal characteristics (except professional experience, former training for executive competency and the willing for execution training and competency) and competency were established (p< 0.05).Conclusion: In the light of these results it is suggested that programmes should be provided by schools of nursing, hospitals, the Ministry of Health and occupational nursing organizations for developing proficiency behaviours consisting of care management and personnel management.
One-dimensional stochastic equations in layered media with semi-permeable barriers
Authors: Makhno Sergei Y.
Published: August 2016

We consider one-dimensional stochastic equations involving local times of unknown processes. We interpret these equations as diffusion in layered media with semi-permeable barriers and we study the limit behavior of solutions as barriers compress in one barrier. Conditions for convergence in law and limit equation are obtained.
Determination of VOCs in the Indoor Air of a New and a Renovated Apartment
Authors: Meciarova Ludmila , Vilcekova Silvia
Published: August 2016

This study deals with the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor environment of a new and a renovated apartment. Qualitative determination of VOCs was carried out with a gas chromatograph with surface acoustic wave detector (GC/SAW). Concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were determined by a photoionization detector with UV lamp. Simultaneously, temperature and relative humidity were monitored with a data logger. The aim of this study was to determine of TVOC concentrations, to use of GC/SAW for determination of individual VOCs in indoor air as well as to predict possible sources of VOCs in these apartments. Measurements were performed after each construction work for better resolution of the contributions of individual materials to the levels of VOC. Mean concentrations of TVOC were 624 μg/m3 in the renovated apartment and 1,686 μg/m3 in the new apartment after completion of all works. The results from the renovated apartment showed that the use of new materials can lead to lower levels of organic compounds in indoor air compared to old materials that were less environmentally friendly. Many types of VOCs were found in both apartments. After reviewing the possible sources, it seems that the main sources of these substances were applied coatings and flooring materials.
Os prefixos na historia do portugués: unha aproximación semántica e cognitiva
Authors: Carvalho Maria José
Published: August 2016

A partir dun corpus medieval, o artigo analiza a evolución e o comportamento histórico dos prefixos a(d)-, re-, en-, des- e es- en determinadas unidades léxicas, co obxectivo de avaliar a importancia das motivacións semánticas e cognitivas no cambio derivativo, así como de determinar a dirección deste. Establécese unha comparación entre a variación morfosemántica deses prefixos no portugués medieval e no portugués europeo (incluíndo variedades dialectais), incidindo en cuestións de produtividade, redundancia, recategorización, polisemia e especialización semántica. Conclúese que as motivacións para os cambios derivativos, xeralmente semánticas e cognitivas, son extremadamente importantes e requiren a inclusión tanto dunha perspectiva diacrónica como da variación diatópica en calquera estudo sistemático da morfoloxía derivativa do portugués.
O galego como lingua de contacto co castelán riopratense: unha relación esquecida
Authors: Sinner Carsten
Published: August 2016

O contacto entre o galego e o español, dúas linguas iberorrománicas estreitamente emparentadas, ao contrario do que ocorre no caso do contacto do español con outras linguas, como o catalán, analizouse moi pouco. É aínda máis escaso o que se sabe sobre o contacto da lingua galega co español en América. A diferenza do que pode constatarse no caso do contacto con linguas inmigrantes como o italiano, o inglés, o francés, o alemán, ou ata o danés, en Arxentina, case non se considera o contacto entre estas linguas iberorrománicas. A contribución indaga, principalmente, no feito curioso de que o galego non atraeu nunca o interese dos estudosos arxentinos da lingüística ou da lingüística hispánica en xeral, nin da lingüística hispánica dedicada ao estudo da lingua nacional arxentina, o que se relacionará cos prexuízos culturais existentes no país riopratense para cos galegos. Despois, presentaranse uns casos de influxo lingüístico da lingua galega sobre o castelán de Arxentina. Como base da presentación serviron o baleirado da literatura lingüística existente e diferentes estudos empíricos realizados durante os últimos anos no seo do Grupo de Investigación de Contactos Lingüísticos entre Linguas Iberorrománicas, radicado no Departamento de Lingüística Aplicada e Translatoloxía da Universidade de Leipzig.
Estemática em Português: termos, história, conceitos
Authors: Sobral Cristina
Published: August 2016

No âmbito da construção de um Dicionário Terminológico de Crítica Textual em Português, e partindo de um corpus bibliográfico em português europeu cuja selecção se justifica, analisa-se o uso nele documentado de palavras e expressões do campo da estemática. Analisadas as ocorrências de stemma codicum, estema e árvore genealógica, discute-se o seu estatuto terminológico ou idiossincrático, tendo em conta factores históricos e geográficos da introdução e da prática da crítica textual em Portugal, e propõe-se soluções para a integração destes termos no Dicionário. A análise das ocorrências de lição genuína, lição autêntica, lição primitiva, lição correcta, lição verdadeira, lição original, boa lição conduz ao questionamento teórico dos conceitos de erro, arquétipo e original e resulta em propostas de definição. Procura-se demonstrar que a construção de uma terminologia de crítica textual não pode dispensar a reflexão teórica nem um posicionamento doutrinário que logre superar a diversidade de práticas e assegure a coesão terminológica.
Castelanismos e galeguismos. A súa relación co estándar
Authors: Iglesias Álvarez Ana María
Published: August 2016

No proceso de estandarización do galego, o recoñecemento e substitución dos castelanismos acadou gran relevancia, tanto desde a investigación lingüística, como nos discursos de difusión e transmisión do estándar e tamén entre os propios falantes. Neste artigo poñemos de relevo o que consideramos unha sobrevaloración deste fenómeno, sobre todo na súa visión reducionista aos castelanismos de tipo léxico. Precisamente a presenza destes caracteriza unha variedade do galego que os falantes denominan "castrapo", coa que se identifica unha parte importante dos galegofalantes, a pesar de ser sancionada e cualificada como "mal galego" no discurso público. Todo isto sen esquecermos a outra cara da moeda, os galeguismos no castelán de Galicia, un fenómeno que, non obstante, atraeu moita menos atención, tanto por parte dos falantes como dos lingüistas. Levamos a cabo polo tanto unha análise destes dous tipos de fenómenos, castelanismos e galeguismos, desde a perspectiva dos falantes, pero tamén na literatura especializada. O fin último radica en descubrir as ideoloxías lingüísticas que se agochan baixo estes discursos e terminoloxía.
Histone H1 Limits DNA Methylation in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Seymour Michael , Ji Lexiang , Santos Alex M , Kamei Masayuki , Sasaki Takahiko , Basenko Evelina Y , Schmitz Robert J , Zhang Xiaoyu , Lewis Zachary A
Published: August 2016

Histone H1 variants, known as linker histones, are essential chromatin components in higher eukaryotes, yet compared to the core histones relatively little is known about their in vivo functions. The filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa encodes a single H1 protein that is not essential for viability. To investigate the role of N. crassa H1, we constructed a functional FLAG-tagged H1 fusion protein and performed genomic and molecular analyses. Cell fractionation experiments showed that H1-3XFLAG is a chromatin binding protein. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation combined with sequencing (ChIP-seq) revealed that H1-3XFLAG is globally enriched throughout the genome with a subtle preference for promoters of expressed genes. In mammals, the stoichiometry of H1 impacts nucleosome repeat length. To determine if H1 impacts nucleosome occupancy or nucleosome positioning in N. crassa, we performed micrococcal nuclease digestion in the wild-type and the ΔhH1 strain followed by sequencing (MNase-seq). Deletion of hH1 did not significantly impact nucleosome positioning or nucleosome occupancy. Analysis of DNA methylation by whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (MethylC-seq) revealed a modest but global increase in DNA methylation in the ΔhH1 mutant. Together, these data suggest that H1 acts as a nonspecific chromatin binding protein that can limit accessibility of the DNA methylation machinery in N. crassa.
Identifying Genetic Signatures of Natural Selection Using Pooled Population Sequencing in Picea abies
Authors: Chen Jun , Källman Thomas , Ma Xiao-Fei , Zaina Giusi , Morgante Michele , Lascoux Martin
Published: August 2016

The joint inference of selection and past demography remain a costly and demanding task. We used next generation sequencing of two pools of 48 Norway spruce mother trees, one corresponding to the Fennoscandian domain, and the other to the Alpine domain, to assess nucleotide polymorphism at 88 nuclear genes. These genes are candidate genes for phenological traits, and most belong to the photoperiod pathway. Estimates of population genetic summary statistics from the pooled data are similar to previous estimates, suggesting that pooled sequencing is reliable. The nonsynonymous SNPs tended to have both lower frequency differences and lower FST values between the two domains than silent ones. These results suggest the presence of purifying selection. The divergence between the two domains based on synonymous changes was around 5 million yr, a time similar to a recent phylogenetic estimate of 6 million yr, but much larger than earlier estimates based on isozymes. Two approaches, one of them novel and that considers both FST and difference in allele frequencies between the two domains, were used to identify SNPs potentially under diversifying selection. SNPs from around 20 genes were detected, including genes previously identified as main target for selection, such as PaPRR3 and PaGI.
Patching Holes in the Chlamydomonas Genome
Authors: Tulin Frej , Cross Frederick R
Published: August 2016

The Chlamydomonas genome has been sequenced, assembled, and annotated to produce a rich resource for genetics and molecular biology in this well-studied model organism. However, the current reference genome contains ∼1000 blocks of unknown sequence (‘N-islands’), which are frequently placed in introns of annotated gene models. We developed a strategy to search for previously unknown exons hidden within such blocks, and determine the sequence, and exon/intron boundaries, of such exons. These methods are based on assembly and alignment of short cDNA and genomic DNA reads, completely independent of prior reference assembly or annotation. Our evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of the annotated intronic N-islands contain hidden exons. For most of these, our algorithm recovers full exonic sequence with associated splice junctions and exon-adjacent intronic sequence. These new exons represent de novo sequence generally present nowhere in the assembled genome, and the added sequence improves evolutionary conservation of the predicted encoded peptides.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Genetic Variation in the Asian House Rat
Authors: Teng Huajing , Zhang Yaohua , Shi Chengmin , Mao Fengbiao , Hou Lingling , Guo Hongling , Sun Zhongsheng , Zhang Jianxu
Published: August 2016

Whole-genome sequencing of wild-derived rat species can provide novel genomic resources, which may help decipher the genetics underlying complex phenotypes. As a notorious pest, reservoir of human pathogens, and colonizer, the Asian house rat, Rattus tanezumi, is successfully adapted to its habitat. However, little is known regarding genetic variation in this species. In this study, we identified over 41,000,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, plus insertions and deletions, through whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. Moreover, we identified over 12,000 structural variants, including 143 chromosomal inversions. Further functional analyses revealed several fixed nonsense mutations associated with infection and immunity-related adaptations, and a number of fixed missense mutations that may be related to anticoagulant resistance. A genome-wide scan for loci under selection identified various genes related to neural activity. Our whole-genome sequencing data provide a genomic resource for future genetic studies of the Asian house rat species and have the potential to facilitate understanding of the molecular adaptations of rats to their ecological niches.
Large Deletions at the SHOX Locus in the Pseudoautosomal Region Are Associated with Skeletal Atavism in Shetland Ponies
Authors: Rafati Nima , Andersson Lisa S , Mikko Sofia , Feng Chungang , Raudsepp Terje , Pettersson Jessica , Janecka Jan , Wattle Ove , Ameur Adam , Thyreen Gunilla , Eberth John , Huddleston John , Malig Maika , Bailey Ernest , Eichler Evan E , Dalin Göran , Chowdary Bhanu , Andersson Leif , Lindgren Gabriella , Rubin Carl-Johan
Published: August 2016

Skeletal atavism in Shetland ponies is a heritable disorder characterized by abnormal growth of the ulna and fibula that extend the carpal and tarsal joints, respectively. This causes abnormal skeletal structure and impaired movements, and affected foals are usually killed. In order to identify the causal mutation we subjected six confirmed Swedish cases and a DNA pool consisting of 21 control individuals to whole genome resequencing. We screened for polymorphisms where the cases and the control pool were fixed for opposite alleles and observed this signature for only 25 SNPs, most of which were scattered on genome assembly unassigned scaffolds. Read depth analysis at these loci revealed homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for two partially overlapping large deletions in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) of chromosome X/Y in cases but not in the control pool. One of these deletions removes the entire coding region of the SHOX gene and both deletions remove parts of the CRLF2 gene located downstream of SHOX. The horse reference assembly of the PAR is highly fragmented, and in order to characterize this region we sequenced bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones by single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing technology. This considerably improved the assembly and enabled size estimations of the two deletions to 160−180 kb and 60−80 kb, respectively. Complete association between the presence of these deletions and disease status was verified in eight other affected horses. The result of the present study is consistent with previous studies in humans showing crucial importance of SHOX for normal skeletal development.
Copy Number Profiling of Brazilian Astrocytomas
Authors: Bidinotto Lucas Tadeu , Torrieri Raul , Mackay Alan , Almeida Gisele Caravina , Viana-Pereira Marta , Cruvinel-Carloni Adriana , Spina Maria Luisa , Campanella Nathalia Cristina , Pereira de Menezes Weder , Clara Carlos Afonso , Becker Aline Paixão , Jones Chris , Reis Rui Manuel
Published: August 2016

Copy number alterations (CNA) are one of the driving mechanisms of glioma tumorigenesis, and are currently used as important biomarkers in the routine setting. Therefore, we performed CNA profiling of 65 astrocytomas of distinct malignant grades (WHO grade I–IV) of Brazilian origin, using array-CGH and microsatellite instability analysis (MSI), and investigated their correlation with TERT and IDH1 mutational status and clinico-pathological features. Furthermore, in silico analysis using the Oncomine database was performed to validate our findings and extend the findings to gene expression level. We found that the number of genomic alterations increases in accordance with glioma grade. In glioblastomas (GBM), the most common alterations were gene amplifications (PDGFRA, KIT, KDR, EGFR, and MET) and deletions (CDKN2A and PTEN). Log-rank analysis correlated EGFR amplification and/or chr7 gain with better survival of the patients. MSI was observed in 11% of GBMs. A total of 69% of GBMs presented TERT mutation, whereas IDH1 mutation was most frequent in diffuse (85.7%) and anaplastic (100%) astrocytomas. The combination of 1p19q deletion and TERT and IDH1 mutational status separated tumor groups that showed distinct age of diagnosis and outcome. In silico validation pointed to less explored genes that may be worthy of future investigation, such as CDK2, DMRTA1, and MTAP. Herein, using an extensive integrated analysis, we indicated potentially important genes, not extensively studied in gliomas, that could be further explored to assess their biological and clinical impact in astrocytomas.
Cilia-Associated Genes Play Differing Roles in Aminoglycoside-Induced Hair Cell Death in Zebrafish
Authors: Stawicki Tamara M , Hernandez Liana , Esterberg Robert , Linbo Tor , Owens Kelly N , Shah Arish N , Thapa Nihal , Roberts Brock , Moens Cecilia B , Rubel Edwin W , Raible David W
Published: August 2016

Hair cells possess a single primary cilium, called the kinocilium, early in development. While the kinocilium is lost in auditory hair cells of most species it is maintained in vestibular hair cells. It has generally been believed that the primary role of the kinocilium and cilia-associated genes in hair cells is in the establishment of the polarity of actin-based stereocilia, the hair cell mechanotransduction apparatus. Through genetic screening and testing of candidate genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) we have found that mutations in multiple cilia genes implicated in intraflagellar transport (dync2h1, wdr35, ift88, and traf3ip), and the ciliary transition zone (cc2d2a, mks1, and cep290) lead to resistance to aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death. These genes appear to have differing roles in hair cells, as mutations in intraflagellar transport genes, but not transition zone genes, lead to defects in kinocilia formation and processes dependent upon hair cell mechanotransduction activity. These mutants highlight a novel role of cilia-associated genes in hair cells, and provide powerful tools for further study.
Placental Hypomethylation Is More Pronounced in Genomic Loci Devoid of Retroelements
Authors: Chatterjee Aniruddha , Macaulay Erin C , Rodger Euan J , Stockwell Peter A , Parry Matthew F , Roberts Hester E , Slatter Tania L , Hung Noelyn A , Devenish Celia J , Morison Ian M
Published: August 2016

The human placenta is hypomethylated compared to somatic tissues. However, the degree and specificity of placental hypomethylation across the genome is unclear. We assessed genome-wide methylation of the human placenta and compared it to that of the neutrophil, a representative homogeneous somatic cell. We observed global hypomethylation in placenta (relative reduction of 22%) compared to neutrophils. Placental hypomethylation was pronounced in intergenic regions and gene bodies, while the unmethylated state of the promoter remained conserved in both tissues. For every class of repeat elements, the placenta showed lower methylation but the degree of hypomethylation differed substantially between these classes. However, some retroelements, especially the evolutionarily younger Alu elements, retained high levels of placental methylation. Surprisingly, nonretrotransposon-containing sequences showed a greater degree of placental hypomethylation than retrotransposons in every genomic element (intergenic, introns, and exons) except promoters. The differentially methylated fragments (DMFs) in placenta and neutrophils were enriched in gene-poor and CpG-poor regions. The placentally hypomethylated DMFs were enriched in genomic regions that are usually inactive, whereas hypermethylated DMFs were enriched in active regions. Hypomethylation of the human placenta is not specific to retroelements, indicating that the evolutionary advantages of placental hypomethylation go beyond those provided by expression of retrotransposons and retrogenes.
Ligand-Bound GeneSwitch Causes Developmental Aberrations inDrosophilathat Are Alleviated by the Alternative Oxidase
Authors: Andjelković Ana , Kemppainen Kia K , Jacobs Howard T
Published: August 2016

Culture of Drosophila expressing the steroid-dependent GeneSwitch transcriptional activator under the control of the ubiquitous α-tubulin promoter was found to produce extensive pupal lethality, as well as a range of dysmorphic adult phenotypes, in the presence of high concentrations of the inducing drug RU486. Prominent among these was cleft thorax, seen previously in flies bearing mutant alleles of the nuclear receptor Ultraspiracle and many other mutants, as well as notched wings, leg malformations, and bristle abnormalities. Neither the α-tubulin-GeneSwitch driver nor the inducing drug on their own produced any of these effects. A second GeneSwitch driver, under the control of the daughterless promoter, which gave much lower and more tissue-restricted transgene expression, exhibited only mild bristle abnormalities in the presence of high levels of RU486. Coexpression of the alternative oxidase (AOX) from Ciona intestinalis produced a substantial shift in the developmental outcome toward a wild-type phenotype, which was dependent on the AOX expression level. Neither an enzymatically inactivated variant of AOX, nor GFP, or the alternative NADH dehydrogenase Ndi1 from yeast gave any such rescue. Users of the GeneSwitch system should be aware of the potential confounding effects of its application in developmental studies.
Aspergillus fumigatusMADS-Box Transcription FactorrlmAIs Required for Regulation of the Cell Wall Integrity and Virulence
Authors: Rocha Marina Campos , Fabri João Henrique Tadini Marilhano , Franco de Godoy Krissia , Alves de Castro Patrícia , Hori Juliana Issa , Ferreira da Cunha Anderson , Arentshorst Mark , Ram Arthur F J , van den Hondel Cees A M J J , Goldman Gustavo Henrique , Malavazi Iran
Published: August 2016

The Cell Wall Integrity (CWI) pathway is the primary signaling cascade that controls the de novo synthesis of the fungal cell wall, and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae this event is highly dependent on the RLM1 transcription factor. Here, we investigated the function of RlmA in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. We show that the ΔrlmA strain exhibits an altered cell wall organization in addition to defects related to vegetative growth and tolerance to cell wall-perturbing agents. A genetic analysis indicated that rlmA is positioned downstream of the pkcA and mpkA genes in the CWI pathway. As a consequence, rlmA loss-of-function leads to the altered expression of genes encoding cell wall-related proteins. RlmA positively regulates the phosphorylation of MpkA and is induced at both protein and transcriptional levels during cell wall stress. The rlmA was also involved in tolerance to oxidative damage and transcriptional regulation of genes related to oxidative stress adaptation. Moreover, the ΔrlmA strain had attenuated virulence in a neutropenic murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Our results suggest that RlmA functions as a transcription factor in the A. fumigatus CWI pathway, acting downstream of PkcA-MpkA signaling and contributing to the virulence of this fungus.
A Split-Ubiquitin Based Strategy Selecting for Protein Complex-Interfering Mutations
Authors: Gronemeyer Thomas , Chollet Julian , Werner Stefan , Glomb Oliver , Bäuerle Anne , Johnsson Nils
Published: August 2016

Understanding the topologies and functions of protein interaction networks requires the selective removal of single interactions. We introduce a selection strategy that enriches among a random library of alleles for mutations that impair the binding to a given partner protein. The selection makes use of a split-ubiquitin based protein interaction assay. This assay provides yeast cells that carry protein complex disturbing mutations with the advantage of being able to survive on uracil-lacking media. Applied to the exemplary interaction between the PB domains of the yeast proteins Bem1 and Cdc24, we performed two independent selections. The selections were either analyzed by Sanger sequencing of isolated clones or by next generation sequencing (NGS) of pools of clones. Both screens enriched for the same mutation in position 833 of Cdc24. Biochemical analysis confirmed that this mutation disturbs the interaction with Bem1 but not the fold of the protein. The larger dataset obtained by NGS achieved a more complete representation of the bipartite interaction interface of Cdc24.
Identification of Genes inCandida glabrataConferring Altered Responses to Caspofungin, a Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitor
Authors: Rosenwald Anne G , Arora Gaurav , Ferrandino Rocco , Gerace Erica L , Mohammednetej Maedeh , Nosair Waseem , Rattila Shemona , Subic Amanda Zirzow , Rolfes Ronda
Published: August 2016

Candida glabrata is an important human fungal pathogen whose incidence continues to rise. Because many clinical isolates are resistant to azole drugs, the drugs of choice to treat such infections are members of the echinocandin family, although there are increasing reports of resistance to these drugs as well. In efforts to better understand the genetic changes that lead to altered responses to echinocandins, we screened a transposon-insertion library of mutants for strains to identify genes that are important for cellular responses to caspofungin, a member of this drug family. We identified 16 genes that, when disrupted, caused increased tolerance, and 48 genes that, when disrupted, caused increased sensitivity compared to the wild-type parental strain. Four of the genes identified as causing sensitivity are orthologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes encoding proteins important for the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway. In addition, several other genes are orthologs of the high affinity Ca2+ uptake system (HACS) complex genes. We analyzed disruption mutants representing all 64 genes under 33 different conditions, including the presence of cell wall disrupting agents and other drugs, a variety of salts, increased temperature, and altered pH. Further, we generated knockout mutants in different genes within the CWI pathway and the HACS complex, and found that they too exhibited phenotypes consistent with defects in cell wall construction. Our results indicate that small molecules that inhibit the CWI pathway, or that the HACS complex, may be an important means of increasing the efficacy of caspofungin.
A Splice Defect in the EDA Gene in Dogs with an X-Linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED) Phenotype
Authors: Waluk Dominik P , Zur Gila , Kaufmann Ronnie , Welle Monika M , Jagannathan Vidhya , Drögemüller Cord , Müller Eliane J , Leeb Tosso , Galichet Arnaud
Published: August 2016

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) caused by variants in the EDA gene represents the most common ectodermal dysplasia in humans. We investigated three male mixed-breed dogs with an ectodermal dysplasia phenotype characterized by marked hypotrichosis and multifocal complete alopecia, almost complete absence of sweat and sebaceous glands, and altered dentition with missing and abnormally shaped teeth. Analysis of SNP chip genotypes and whole genome sequence data from the three affected dogs revealed that the affected dogs shared the same haplotype on a large segment of the X-chromosome, including the EDA gene. Unexpectedly, the whole genome sequence data did not reveal any nonsynonymous EDA variant in the affected dogs. We therefore performed an RNA-seq experiment on skin biopsies to search for changes in the transcriptome. This analysis revealed that the EDA transcript in the affected dogs lacked 103 nucleotides encoded by exon 2. We speculate that this exon skipping is caused by a genetic variant located in one of the large introns flanking this exon, which was missed by whole genome sequencing with the illumina short read technology. The altered EDA transcript splicing most likely causes the observed ectodermal dysplasia in the affected dogs. These dogs thus offer an excellent opportunity to gain insights into the complex splicing processes required for expression of the EDA gene, and other genes with large introns.
Matematinio raštingumo samprata
Authors: Dudaitė Jolita
Published: August 2016

Straipsnyje nagrinėjant matematinio raštingumo sampratą, pateikiama matematinio raštingumo terminų, randamų mokslinėje literatūroje, analizė, atskleidžiami  matematikos ir matematinio raštingumo skirtumai.Nors matematinis raštingumo samprata priklauso nuo istorinio, kultūrinio konteksto ir nėra vieno teisingo matematinio raštingumo apibrėžimo, vis dėlto galima išskirti sudedamuosius matematinio raštingumo elementus. Tai - būtinos matematinės žinios, visuotinumas, temų aktualumas, loginis (matematinis, kritinis) mąstymas, matematinis argumentavimas, sprendimų darymas, skaičių „jausmas”, simbolių „jausmas”, erdvinis mąstymas, praktiniai gebėjimai, duomenų interpretavimas, būtinos matematinės žinios, matematika kontekste, kultūrinis aspektas, „susigyvenimas” su matematika (angl. confidence with mathematics), matematinė komunikacija, duomenų ir rezultatų reprezentavimas, darbas su informacija, eksperimentavimas, modeliavimas, technologijų ir matematinių įrankių naudojimas, nuostatos matematikos atžvilgiu. Išskirtieji elementai leidžia sudaryti matematinio raštingumo modelį.
L. Jovaišas „Enciklopedinio edukologijos žodyno” aptartis
Authors: Targamadzė Vilija
Published: August 2016

Profesoriaus Leono Jovaišos „Enciklopedinio edukologijos žodyno" recenzija.
Importance of the product country-of-origin factor on purchasing process in the context of globalisation
Authors: Urbonavičius Sigitas , Gineikienė Justina
Published: August 2016

Globalization is raising the country-if-origin importance question in the new light. It seems that the importance of country-of-origin (COO) factor has to go down, since both manufacturing and purchasing processes are under influence of overall globalization. In addition to this, many globally offered brands may be no longer associated with a specific country of their origin. From the other side, there are still strong attitudes of buyers observed about ‘domestic’ versus ‘foreign’ products, as well as about attitudes towards various countries. If these attitudes work as strong element within the COO factor, the importance of COO in the context of globalization would remain rather big.The objective of the paper is to explore the COO effect on the purchasing process in the context of globalization. The specific of Eastern European context is reflected through empirical exploratory research that was performed in Lithuania. The analysis suggests that perhaps some other elements have to be also included into studies of COO importance on purchasing behaviour. The authors propose that a less yet studied trait within consumers – country animosity – should receive more attention. It seems that in certain situations a product’s origin can affect consumer buying decisions rather independently from judgments’ of other characteristics of a product. The article formulates a model that incorporates country-of-origin animosity and purchasing moderators for further studies of the issue.
Identifying Communication-Impaired Pediatric Patients Using Detailed Hospital Administrative Data
Authors: Hill Douglas L. , Carroll Karen W. , Dai Dingwei , Faerber Jennifer A. , Dougherty Susan L. , Feudtner Chris
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Pediatric inpatients with communication impairment may experience inadequate pain and symptom management. Research regarding potential variation in care among patients with and without communication impairment is hampered because existing pediatric databases do not include information about patient communication ability per se, even though these data sets do contain information about diagnoses and medical interventions that are probably correlated with the probability of communication impairment. Our objective was to develop and evaluate a classification model to identify patients in a large administrative database likely to be communication impaired.

METHODS:

Our sample included 236 hospitalized patients aged ≥12 months whose ability to communicate about pain had been assessed. We randomly split this sample into development (n = 118) and validation (n = 118) sets. A priori, we developed a set of specific diagnoses, technology dependencies, procedures, and medications recorded in the Pediatric Health Information System likely to be strongly associated with communication impairment. We used logistic regression modeling to calculate the probability of communication impairment for each patient in the development set, assessed the model performance, and evaluated the performance of the 11-variable model in the validation set.

RESULTS:

In the validation sample, the classification model showed excellent classification accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.92; sensitivity 82.6%; 95% confidence interval, 74%–100%; specificity 86.3%; 95% confidence interval, 80%–97%). For the complete sample, the predicted probability of communication impairment demonstrated excellent calibration with the observed communication impairment status.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hospitalized pediatric patients with communication impairment can be accurately identified in a large hospital administrative database.
Simulation and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program 7th Edition Curriculum
Authors: Sawyer Taylor , Ades Anne , Ernst Kimberly , Colby Christopher
Published: August 2016

For almost 30 years, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) has taught clinicians the cognitive, technical, and behavioral skills needed to resuscitate newborns. The use of simulation during the NRP course allows clinicians to solidify their cognitive skills, practice their technical skills, and improve their behavioral skills to optimize communication, teamwork, and patient safety. In this report, the authors review the past and current use of simulation in the NRP course, explore the new eSim® program, examine methods of simulation debriefing, discuss the correlation between debriefing in the NRP course and at the bedside, and analyze the findings of the International Liaison Committee of Resuscitation on the required frequency of resuscitation training.
Comorbidity and Childhood Epilepsy: A Nationwide Registry Study
Authors: Aaberg Kari Modalsli , Bakken Inger Johanne , Lossius Morten I. , Lund Søraas Camilla , Håberg Siri Eldevik , Stoltenberg Camilla , Surén Pål , Chin Richard
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Children with epilepsy are at increased risk of other disorders and difficulties, preceding, cooccurring with, or after the diagnosis of epilepsy. Risk estimates vary, few studies are population-based, and few provide comprehensive assessments of comorbidities. We used nationwide registry data to describe frequencies of medical, neurologic, developmental, and psychiatric conditions occurring before and after children are diagnosed with childhood epilepsy.

METHODS:

Data were obtained from the Norwegian Patient Registry, which is an administrative database recording International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnoses from all government-funded specialist health services in Norway (outpatient consultations and hospitalizations). We included data from the years 2008 through 2013 for all children born in Norway between 1996 and 2013 (0–17 years of age at the end of follow-up). Children with epilepsy were compared with the general child population, adjusting for sex and age. We also compared children with complicated epilepsies (ie, epilepsies with additional neurologic and/or developmental disorders) to children with uncomplicated epilepsies.

RESULTS:

The study population included 1 125 161 children. There were 6635 (0.6%) children with epilepsy. Nearly 80% of children with epilepsy had ≥1 comorbid disorder. All types of disorders were more frequent in children with epilepsy, with additional medical disorders recorded in 55%, neurologic disorders in 41%, and developmental/psychiatric disorders in 43%. Children with complicated epilepsies had the highest overall levels of comorbidity, but the risk of medical and psychiatric comorbidities was also substantial among children with uncomplicated epilepsies.

CONCLUSIONS:

The overall frequency of comorbid disease is high in children with epilepsy, including children with presumably uncomplicated epilepsies.
New records of isopods (Crustacea: Peracarida: Isopoda) from the Mesoamerican Reef at Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Authors: Monroy-Velázquez Verónica , Alvarez Fernando
Published: August 2016

New distribution records are presented for 19 species of isopods that are recorded for the Mexican Caribbean coast for the first time. The sampling program was conducted in three sites and at three different depths in each site within the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos Nature Reserve. The new records belong to 10 families and 15 genera in the suborders Asellota, Cymothoida and Sphaeromatidea. With the new records included herein isopods could be the most diverse group of peracarid crustaceans found in the Puerto Morelos Reef.