New Lower Kimmeridgian ataxioceratin ammonite from the eastern Iberian Chain, Spain: Systematic, biogeographic and biostratigraphic relevance

New ammonites collected bed−by−bed from the upper part of Ataxioceras hypselocyclum Chronozone deposits in the eastern Iberian Chain are described as Geyericeras gen. nov. The new genus includes micro− and macroconchiate Ataxioceratinae of small size, with moderate to loose coiling and subpolyplocoid ribs, a character crucial for its identification. Key points for the comparative identification of Geyericeras gen. nov. are: (i) microconchiate Geyericeras show morphological convergence with evolute specimens of the stratigraphically older genus Schneidia [m]; (ii) contemporary Ataxioceratinae genera such as Ardescia [m, M] and Lithacosphinctes [m, M] did not develop subpolyplocoid ribbing; (iii) smoothing of sculpture combined with short primary ribs are not realized in Geyericeras gen. nov. [M] and can be therefore used to separate the new genus from Ataxioceras [M]; and (iv) smaller shells, and weaker and less dense ribbing with no parabolic structures differentiate Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M] from Parataxioceras [m, M], as well as the type of subpolyplocoid ribs seen among microconchiate specimens of these two genera. The new species Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov. is the index and guide fossil for identification of a biohorizon occurring below the first occurrence of the genus Crussoliceras in the eastern Iberian Chain.This research is a contribution to the IGCP project 506 and has been supported by Projects BTE2005−01316 and CGL2008−3007, and the EMMI Group RNM178 J.A., Spain

Functional supramolecular tetrathiafulvalene-based films with mixed valences states

Tetrathiafulvalene molecules substituted with a carboxylic acid group (TTFCOOH) were bound as redox-active moieties into a poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) skeleton through non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonds). The aspect of the resulting P4VP-TTFCOOH films showed a uniform and smooth morphology. Moreover, the redox function of TTFCOOH in P4VP-TTFCOOH was demonstrated using tetrachloroauric acid, iron(III) perchlorate and iodine vapors as doping agents. The oxidized states of TTFCOOH as well as the mixed valance state TTFCOOH0-TTFCOOH+• were generated in a controlled manner in solid state, resulting in an organic film capable of charge transport. The charge transport along the organic donor molecules hydrogen bonded to the polymer matrix was demonstrated employing Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM)Postprint (author's final draft

On the selection of hidden neurons with heuristic search strategies for approximation

Feature Selection techniques usually follow some search strategy to select a suitable subset from a set of features. Most neural network growing algorithms perform a search with Forward Selection with the objective of finding a reasonably good subset of neurons. Using this link between both fields (feature selection and neuron selection), we propose and analyze different algorithms for the construction of neural networks based on heuristic search strategies coming from the feature selection field. The results of an experimental comparison to Forward Selection using both synthetic and real data show that a much better approximation can be achieved, though at the expense of a higher computational cost.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Multidimensional perspective of perceived value in industrial clusters

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate that aspects of a rational or functional character and aspects of an emotional and social nature condition the perceived value of the exchange relationships among firms in an industrial cluster. Design/methodology/approach: – The research uses structural equation models (SEM) to test the models and applies the maximum likelihood estimation method in all the causal models obtained in the course of the data analysis. Findings – The results obtained support the hypotheses put forward, and in particular the importance of emotional and social values in industrial relations. Research limitations/implications – Recent advances in consumer and services marketing consider that perceived value and satisfaction are central to explaining customer loyalty. However, very few studies in B2B explain the multidimensionality of perceived value. For this purpose, the authors test their working hypotheses in the Spanish ceramic tiles cluster. Specifically, they analyze the relationships between manufacturers and a supplier of frits, enamels and ceramic colors and related services. Practical implications – An empirical study demonstrates that experience and interpersonal relationships are more important than price and switching costs in an industrial cluster context. The empirical study and the results provide evidence for managers: the critical influence of the emotional and social values perceived by the customer on his level of satisfaction and on the achievement of final loyalty. Originality/value – The paper highlights the importance of the most intangible dimensions of value for the relations between companies in an industrial cluste

Extended linear models with Gaussian prior on the parameters and adaptive expansion vectors

We present an approximate Bayesian method for regression and classification with models linear in the parameters. Similar to the Relevance Vector Machine (RVM), each parameter is associated with an expansion vector. Unlike the RVM, the number of expansion vectors is specified beforehand. We assume an overall Gaussian prior on the parameters and find, with a gradient based process, the expansion vectors that (locally) maximize the evidence. This approach has lower computational demands than the RVM, and has the advantage that the vectors do not necessarily belong to the training set. Therefore, in principle, better vectors can be found. Furthermore, other hyperparameters can be learned in the same smooth joint optimization. Experimental results show that the freedom of the expansion vectors to be located away from the training data causes overfitting problems. These problems are alleviated by including a hyperprior that penalizes expansion vectors located far away from the input data.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

University Social Responsibility towards Engineering Undergraduates: The Effect of Methodology on a Service-Learning Experience

Service-Learning (SL) experiences enable University Social Responsibility (USR) to be worked on in engineering studies as a core of education for Sustainability. The combined use of such experiences with active student-centered teaching methodologies fosters the acquisition of general and specific competences. On the basis of students’ perception, this study investigated and sought evidence of empirical foundations to understand whether and how Project Based Learning (PBL) affects the acquisition of USR-related competences when SL experience was implemented as the regular exercise in core courses in engineering studies. This research studied 100 second year undergraduate students in Industrial Design Engineering and Product Development. The students were divided into two groups, one of which experienced Service-Learning only in one class activity while the other group carried out a PBL activity. A survey consisting of 28 items was delivered to all these students and their answers were analyzed from a descriptive statistics viewpoint to understand how the students perceived their degree of attainment of USR competences. The findings suggest a clear difference between the methodologies used, which shows that PBL methodology may lead to a greater acquisition of USR competences than SL activity

The effects of travelling reasons on social media resources and tourist expectations

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo examinar la relación de las fuentes del contenido generado por el usuario (UGC) en las redes sociales, que proviene generalmente de fuentes de lazos fuertes y fuentes de lazos débiles, en la generación de expectativas turísticas sobre los recursos básicos y los recursos o factores de apoyo de los destinos. También se analiza el efecto moderador de las razones para viajar en la relación de las fuentes UGC y las expectativas turísticas. Para esta investigación, se recogieron 375 encuestas. Los resultados señalan que las razones o motivos del viaje son un factor importante a considerar en la generación de las expectativas turísticas, y en nuestro caso, el UGC que provenía de las fuentes de lazos débiles influyen de manera significativa en la generación de expectativas del turista cuando viaja por motivos de trabajo.This research aims to examine the relationship of user generated content (UGC) sources in social media which is provided by strong-tie sources and weak-tie sources on tourist expectations on core resources and factor supporting of the destinations, and also analyze the moderate effect of the reasons of travelling on the relationship of UGC sources and tourist expectations. 375 samples were collected. The results demonstrate that travelling reasons is an important factor to consider about the origin of tourist expectations. The UGC that was provided by weak-tie source has influence on tourist expectations when they travel with business reason

Histidine decarboxylase-positive lactic acid bacteria strains and the formation of histamine in ripened cheeses

The relationship between histidine decarboxylase-positive (hdc+) lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts and the amounts of biogenic amines, particularly histamine, in cheeses made with and without LAB starter were investigated. Sixty LAB strains were isolated from ripened cheeses made with raw milk inoculated with lactic starter and cheeses without starter. The strains were identified by carbohydrate fermentation test and the histidine decarboxylase gene was determined by PCR. Biogenic amine contents from the cheeses were determined by HPLC. LAB counts and their diversity were higher in the cheeses without starter. The cheeses contained low concentrations of the studied amines. The lowest concentrations were found for ethylamine and putrescine followed by cadaverine, tyramine, phenyletilamine, and histamine, especially in the cheeses with starter. There was a direct relationship between the percentage of hdc+ LAB strains and histamine and between this percentage and the sum of tyramine, phenylethylamine and ethylamine concentrations.Peer ReviewedPreprin

GAP-43 slows down cell cycle progression via sequences in its 3′UTR

Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) is a neuronal phosphoprotein associated with initial axonal outgrowth and synaptic remodeling and recent work also suggests its involvement in cell cycle control. The complex expression of GAP-43 features transcriptional and posttranscriptional components. However, in some conditions, GAP-43 gene expression is controlled primarily by the interaction of stabilizing or destabilizing RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with adenine and uridine (AU)-rich instability elements (AREs) in its 3′UTR. Like GAP-43, many proteins involved in cell proliferation are encoded by ARE-containing mRNAs, some of which codify cell-cycle-regulating proteins including cyclin D1. Considering that GAP-43 and cyclin D1 mRNA stabilization may depend on similar RBPs, this study evaluated the participation of GAP-43 in cell cycle control and its underlying mechanisms, particularly the possible role of its 3′UTR, using GAP-43-transfected NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. Our results show an arrest in cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase. This arrest may be mediated by the competition of GAP-43 3′UTR with cyclin D1 3′UTR for the binding of Hu proteins such as HuR, which may lead to a decrease in cyclin D1 expression. These results might lead to therapeutic applications involving the use of sequences in the B region of GAP-43 3′UTR to slow down cell cycle progression.Fil: de Moliner, Karina Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Wolfson, Manuel Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Perrone Bizzozero, Nora. University of New Mexico; Estados UnidosFil: Adamo, Ana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentin

Customer loyalty in clusters: perceived value and satisfaction as antecedents

Purpose: This paper studies, from the perspective of relationship marketing, the loyalty behavior of industrial customers in the context of a cluster. Loyalty is a key variable for studying long term relationships between firms. Research implications: Recent advances in consumer and services marketing consider that perceived value and satisfaction are central to explaining customer loyalty. However, very few studies in B2B explain the antecedents of customer loyalty. This study adopts the relationship marketing approach, and loyalty behavior is being analyzed in a specific setting: an industrial cluster. Furthermore, the effect of the number of suppliers is analyzed as a possible moderator in the relationships of the model. Methodology Approach: We have chosen the Spanish tile cluster to test a series of the hypotheses. Questionnaires were elaborated from primary and secondary information and SEM has been used for statistical treatment and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings: Importance relationships between perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty and the importance of the different dimensions of perceive value. Practical implications: The empirical study and the results provide an importance evidence for managers: the critical influence of the Emotional and social perceived values by the customer on his level of satisfaction and on the achievement of final the commercial training programs of this matters. Originality, value, and contribution: This study highlights theimportance of the most intangibles dimensions of value for the industrial cluster relations between companie