bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungos micorrízicos arbusculares e proteína do solo relacionada à glomalina em área degradada por extração de argila e revegetada com eucalipto e acácia
Authors: Silva Cristiane Figueira da , Simões-Araújo Jean Luiz , Silva Eliane Maria Ribeiro da , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Freitas Marta Simone Mendonça , Júnior Orivaldo José Saggin , Martins Marco Antônio
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050987556Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da revegetação com Eucalyptus camaldulensis e Acacia mangium, em plantio puro e consorciado, na composição e diversidade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs), bem como na quantidade da proteína do solo relacionada à glomalina (PSRG) em uma área degradada pela extração de argila. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos (plantios puros de Eucalyptus camaldulensis e Acacia mangium; consórcio de Eucalyptus camaldulensis + Acacia mangium; e área degradada com vegetação espontânea – ADVE) e três repetições, onde, em cada uma das parcelas, foram coletadas amostras de solo na camada 0-5 cm. Os esporos de FMA foram extraídos e taxonomicamente identificados. Analisou-se a densidade relativa, a frequência de cada espécie e os índices de Shannon-Wiener, Pielou e de Simpson. A PSRG (glomalina total – GT e glomalina facilmente extraível – GFE) foi extraída com citrato de sódio e quantificada pelo método de Bradford. A abundância de FMAs foi maior na área degradada com vegetação espontânea quando comparada aos plantios, em contrapartida apresentou baixa diversidade de espécies. As áreas de eucalipto em monocultivo mostraram menor índice de diversidade de FMAs em relação às áreas de eucalipto consorciadas com a acácia. Glomus e Acaulospora foram os gêneros de FMAs que apresentaram o maior número de espécies. A PSRG foi estreitamente correlacionada com o C e o N do solo, tendo sido observada em maiores quantidades nos plantios, em relação à ADVE. A revegetação da cava de extração de argila promoveu redução na esporulação dos FMAs, enquanto a diversidade e a quantidade de PSRG foram aumentadas.
Mapeamento da frequência de uso e características da biomassa florestal utilizada para geração de energia em Lages, SC
Authors: Furtado Thielly Schmidt , Ferreira Juliana Ceccato , Brand Martha Andreia , Muñiz Graciela Inês Bolzon de , Quirino Waldir Ferreira
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050987560A região de Lages, Santa Catarina, tem sua economia baseada na indústria de base florestal, principalmente de transformação primária, que é caracterizada pelo baixo rendimento e grande produção de resíduos, o que causa problemas ambientais, logísticos e financeiros. A utilização destes resíduos em sistemas de cogeração tem sido uma alternativa economicamente rentável, desde o ano de 2005, no local de estudo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um mapeamento da frequência de uso e disponibilidade dos resíduos de biomassa florestal utilizados na operação de uma planta de cogeração, entre 2005 e 2009, em Lages, Santa Catarina, bem como avaliar a qualidade energética deste combustível. Foram utilizados os dados do controle de qualidade mensal das propriedades energéticas da biomassa usada na geração de energia, no período de 2005 a 2009. Os resíduos foram caracterizados segundo a frequência de análises de cada tipo de biomassa e em função do teor de umidade, teor de cinza, poder calorífico superior e líquido, para a caracterização energética. O resíduo com maior disponibilidade foi a casca de Pinus, porém, os mais eficientes energeticamente foram o cavaco com casca de Pinus e a mistura de todos os resíduos usados nos sistemas de geração de energia.
Doses de fósforo determinam a prevalência de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em Araucaria angustifolia
Authors: Moreira Milene , Baretta Dilmar , Cardoso Elke Jurandy Bran Nogueira
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050987562Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de doses crescentes de fósforo sobre a diversidade, esporulação e colonização de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) nativos de florestas de Araucaria angustifolia, foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação, utilizando a araucária como planta-isca. O experimento foi montado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições, compreendendo quatro doses de fósforo (0, 20, 50 e 150 mg kg-1) de substrato na forma de KH2PO4. As plântulas de araucária, inoculadas com 100 g de solo rizosférico, proveniente de mata nativa, foram cultivadas em vasos contendo 10 kg de solo, pelo período de um ano. Após a colheita, determinou-se a densidade de esporos, a taxa de colonização micorrízica e a diversidade de FMA, através da identificação morfológica dos esporos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise univariada e análise de correspondência (AC). Considerando as quatro doses de P, foram identificadas 11 espécies de FMA (Acaulospora bireticulata, Acaulospora morrowiae, Acaulospora sp., Entrophospora colombiana, Gigaspora margarita, Glomus diaphanum, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus macrocarpum, Scutellospora calospora, Scutellospora gilmorei e Scutellospora pellucida). Não houve efeito significativo da dose de P sobre o número de esporos e a colonização radicular. A AC demonstrou que houve efeito da dose de P sobre a abundância de esporulação de cada espécie, sendo que alguns FMA se associaram mais com determinada dose de P, e outros com outra.
O estágio curricular e a didática na formação de professores: desafios e possibilidades
Authors: Girotto Cyntia Graziella Guizelim Simões , Castro Rosane Michelli de
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464444094 Neste artigo enfocamos aspectos das disciplinas do curso de Pedagogia “estágio curricular” e “didática” na formação de professores. O objetivo central é ressaltar, mediante apresentação do trabalho que realizamos em nossa prática docente nas disciplinas mencionadas, a importância da articulação entre a teoria e a prática na formação de professores e a fim de que o ensino na universidade não seja descontextualizado, mas enriquecido com as questões do cotidiano escolar. Nesse sentido, abordamos, inicialmente, aspectos do estágio curricular como elo mediador de aprendizagem, de articulação do currículo e de práticas e, nessa perspectiva, como um canal produtivo entre a universidade e a Educação Básica, ressaltando a necessidade do acolhimento da contribuição que cada uma das instituições, dentro de sua especificidade, deva oferecer nos cursos de formação. Na sequência, apresentamos aspectos da estrutura do trabalho que desenvolvemos com nossos alunos no estágio curricular na Educação Infantil. Finalmente, explicitamos os aspectos de uma didática voltada para a formação de professores da Educação Infantil e dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental, centrada em narrativas de professores em serviço, sobre suas vivências e experiências docentes, em busca de novas sistematizações da e sobre a prática pedagógica, pelos próprios sujeitos. Palavras-chave: formação de professores, estágio curricular, didática.
A elaboração da experiência da docência nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental
Authors: Toscano Carlos
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464444628 Neste trabalho, apresenta-se e discute-se parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa que foi realizada entre 2006 e 2009 com alunas egressas do curso de Pedagogia que se tornaram professoras. Tal estudo tomou como referência as contribuições teóricas e metodológicas de Bakhtin, Lahire e Chartier, levando-se em conta que estes autores, em suas especificidades, situam nas práticas sociais a gênese do especificamente humano, destacando o papel do outro e da mediação semiótica nesse processo. Os dados aqui compartilhados referem-se a um dos sujeitos desta pesquisa, que, à época, era professora do terceiro ano do Ensino Fundamental em uma instituição pública de ensino no interior do Paraná e diz respeito ao relato desta experiência profissional. Seu estudo, ao pretender contribuir para ampliar a visibilidade dos processos constitutivos da profissionalidade docente nos anos iniciais, acabou colocando em evidência um entrelaçamento singular de várias vozes sociais que se encontram, confrontam-se e se localizam em diversos espaços e tempos: algumas delas pertencem ao período da sua formação inicial, mediadas pelos professores formadores; outras pertencem aos seus interlocutores imediatos, colegas de trabalho/equipe pedagógica; além de vozes que se localizam na administração local, que, por sua vez, mediam a política educacional, indiciando as determinações mais amplas que marcam uma determinada época histórica. Palavras-chave: cotidiano escolar, trabalho docente, significações, anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental.
O corpo docente masculino: suas variações e (in)conformidades
Authors: Rosa Rogério Machado , Lima Patrícia Moraes
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464444824 Nesse texto buscamos cartografar, a partir de uma interlocução com autores como Deleuze e Guattari e Nietzsche, o processo de variação-deslocamento-multiplicação do corpo masculino docente, a estética das sensibilidades e os agenciamentos corporais que os encontros pedagógicos inspiram. O corpo-docente-masculino, suas variações e (in)conformidades, será tomado como plano de inscrição e veículo das forças afectivas e vibratórias que por ele passa e o coloca em movimento de territorialização, desterritorialização e reterritorialização. Problematizaremos, assim, o lugar do encontro pedagógico como possível dispositivo maquínico, apontando para a ideia de que os agenciamentos produzidos a partir daí operam na criação de experimentações corporais que deslocam o corpo masculino dos lugares consagrados pela norma e o aproxima do corpo-masculino-marginal, prenhe de devires e (des)organizado: corpo sem orgãos. Palavras-chave: corpo, docência, masculinidades, criação.
O laptop educacional na escola pública: letramento digital e possibilidades de transformação das práticas pedagógicas
Authors: Valentini Carla Beatris , Pescador Cristina Maria , Do Sacramento Soares Eliana Maria
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464445624 A presença dos laptops educacionais na rotina de estudantes e professores pode contribuir para a transformação das práticas pedagógicas vigentes. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho parte da ideia de que a inserção dos laptops educacionais, na modalidade 1:1, pode ser um elemento perturbador, desencadeando um processo de reflexão e possível tomada de consciência do fazer docente por parte dos professores. Isso poderia levar a um redimensionamento de sua conduta docente em um movimento de incluir o laptop no cotidiano escolar de forma significativa. Apresentamos um estudo de caso, de cunho exploratório, da inserção do laptop em uma escola pública de ensino fundamental, analisando o processo de letramento digital dessa comunidade escolar. Assim, o letramento digital implica na interação em redes sociais que permitem a exploração e a pesquisa, em um processo de ensinar e aprender em que a construção do conhecimento é mediada pelas tecnologias digitais. Para isso, a partir da não-linearidade que acompanha os fluxos de comunicação emergentes dessas tecnologias, estudantes e professores são instigados a buscar novos significados, em que a leitura e escrita consiste em compartilhar conhecimento e opiniões e não apenas uma tarefa a ser entregue. Palavras-chave: letramento digital; tecnologias digitais; aprendizagem.
O diálogo entre o ensino e a aprendizagem
Authors: Juchem Luiza De Salles , Fighera Adriana Claudia Martins
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464445861
O livro de Alzira
Authors: Mortatti Maria Do Rosário Longo
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464445864 Com o objetivo de contribuir para as discussões sobre o ensino e aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita, apresenta-se, sob a forma de resenha crítica, a análise da configuração textual do livro Será que fui eu?, de Alzira Silvéria. Essa análise foi desenvolvida com base na hipótese segundo a qual ler e produzir textos escritos são atividades especificamente humanas cujas função e importância extrapolam os limites da escola e cujo aprendizado modifica modos de pensar, sentir, querer e agir dos sujeitos que aprendem a ler e a escrever, promovendo mudanças qualitativas em seu processo de formação humana e propiciando sua participação ativa no mundo público da cultura escrita e, portanto, na sociedade e na história. Essa é a principal “lição de vida” que a autora do livro ensina a todos os interessados no assunto, em especial aos professores responsáveis pelo ensino escolar da leitura e da escrita, os quais somente podem ser bem-sucedidos, se e quando compreendem a si mesmos como sujeitos históricos e sociais, que também vivenciam a leitura e a produção de textos escritos, não somente como atividades necessárias para sua atuação docente, mas sobretudo como atividades essenciais para a humana formação de sujeitos-autores do discurso de e sobre sua vida e de sua história. Palavras-chave: narrativa autobiográfica; letramento; ensino e aprendizagem da literatura e escrita.
A escrita no Ensino Superior

Authors: Vitória Maria Inês Corte , Christofoli Maria Conceição Pillon
Published: January 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464445865 O presente artigo trata de apresentar resultados oriundos de pesquisa realizada no Ensino Superior, enfocando a escrita em contextos universitários. Depoimentos por parte dos acadêmicos evidenciam certa resistência ao ato de escrever, o que acaba muitas vezes distanciando o sujeito da produção de um texto. Assim sendo, mesmo que parciais, os resultados até então analisados dão conta de que: pressuposto 1 – há ruptura da ideia de coerência entre o que pensamos, o que conseguimos escrever, o que entende nosso interlocutor; pressuposto 2 – a autocorreção de textos como exercício de pesquisa é imprescindível para a qualificação da escrita; pressuposto 3 – os diários de aula representam rico instrumento para a qualificação da escrita no Ensino Superior; pressuposto 4 – há necessidade de que o aluno do Ensino Superior escreva variados tipos de escrita, ainda que a universidade cumpra com seu papel, enfatizando a escrita acadêmica; pressuposto 5 – o trabalho com a escrita no Ensino Superior deve enfatizar os componentes básicos da expressão escrita: o código escrito e a composição da escrita. Palavras-chave: Escrita; Ensino Superior; formação de professores.
La adecuación de la estructura organizativa a las exigencias de una producción cross-media: el caso de la televisión pública italiana
Authors:   Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona (España), FRANQUET ROSA , RIBES XAVIER ,   Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona (España), ZOPPEDU MILENA ,   Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona (España)
Published: January 2013

Las corporaciones televisivas tradicionales han encontrado la forma de dar elprimer paso hacia la cross-medialidad, instituyendo departamentos específicospara la producción, adaptación y distribución de sus contenidos en internet y enlas diferentes plataformas. Las compañías de servicio público siguen la mismatendencia para poder cumplir con la misión del servicio público así como parapoder competir en el nuevo entorno. El objetivo de esta investigación es cono-cer la estructura organizativa de la compañía de servicio público Italiano Raien relación a la producción cross media. Este trabajo pretende estudiar cómola compañía adapta su estructura organizativa a la producción a 360 grados ydescribir la estructura organizativa de la compañía para la producción de estoscontenidos. La metodología se basa en observación participante en los departa-mentos involucrados y entrevistas en profundidad con diferentes profesionales
El mito como elemento estratégico de comunicación política: aplicación del modelo de Barthes al caso ecuatoriano
Authors:   Universidad del Azuay (Ecuador), ÁVILA NIETO CAROLINE
Published: January 2013

El mito en política ha sido utilizado preferentemente como herramienta de retórica discursiva. Este artículo hace una propuesta de aplicación del mito como elemento estratégico de comunicación de gobierno, lo que implica su uso en el largo plazo; para ello sugiere la construcción del mito en el marco de la estructura propuesta por Roland Barthes que implica, entre otras cosas, la diversidad de significantes para un significado. El mito de Eloy Alfaro, líder ecuatoriano de la revolución liberal de finales del siglo XIX, constituye un ejemplo de aplicación de este modelo que ha resultado exitoso como estrategia de comunicación política del gobierno de Rafael Correa en Ecuador
Economía política de los estándares de televisión digital: el caso de América Latina
Authors:   Universidad de Salamanca (España), BADILLO MATOS ÁNGEL
Published: January 2013

Durante la última década, casi la totalidad de los países de América Latina han afrontado la transición de sus sistemas de televisión al digital. Tomando como base teórica la economía política de la comunicación, este trabajo analiza las políticas públicas de televisión digital terrestre (TDT) en Latinoamérica desde una perspectiva multisectorial, estudiando los fundamentos de la elección de estándares, el papel de los lobbies y el impacto de las decisiones tomadas desde el punto de vista de las políticas industriales, las políticas de telecomunicaciones y las tradicionales políticas de medios.
Pensar la producción de contenido para la televisión digital pública desde la interactividad y la convergencia tecnológica
Authors:   Universidade Católica de Brasília (Brasil), CASTRO COSETTE
Published: January 2013

Este artículo reflexiona sobre la producción de contenidos audiovisuales gratuitos para la televisión pública digital, teniendo en cuenta las transformaciones que estamos viviendo como, por ejemplo, la transición del mundo analógico al digital. Analizando las complejas relaciones (Morin) y dinámicas que nos rodean, el texto busca el diálogo entre diferentes ciencias, a través de la transdisciplinariedad y la participación de los sujetos sociales para comprender el papel transformador que puede jugar la TV pública digital interactiva en América Latina, en especialmente en Brasil
El Estado como protagonista del desarrollo de la TDT en Argentina
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (Argentina), MASTRINI GUILLERMO , BECERRA MARTÍN ,   Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (Argentina), BIZBERGE ANA ,   Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), KRAKOWIAK FERNANDO ,   Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Published: January 2013

Luego de idas y venidas en la elección de la norma de televisión digital, en la segunda mitad de 2009 Argentina decidió seguir los pasos de Brasil y adoptó el estándar nipo-brasilero. Desde entonces, se han sucedido una serie de políticas y acciones concretas para implementar la TDT. A tres años de dicho momento, es posible realizar un balance que analice las virtudes y deficiencias del proceso de implementación de la TDT en Argentina. El objetivo del artículo es focalizarse en las políticas públicas llevadas a cabo por el estado argentino tanto en el despliegue de la infraestructura necesaria, como en el estímulo de la producción de contenidos
Noticieros en Argentina: cerca del espectáculo, lejos de la política
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, PAJONI HERNÁN
Published: January 2013

Este trabajo hace un recorrido sobre la historia de los noticieros y sobre las principales características que definieron el tratamiento de la información en la televisión abierta desde sus inicios. A partir de la tendencia actual de los noticieros, propia de los esquemas del infoentretenimiento, se realizó un análisis sobre la agenda de temas y el uso de las fuentes para la validación de esa información. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una clara tendencia a la prioridad que se da a las noticias policiales y de información general, con escasas fuentes expertas
Las diversas aristas de la TV Digital latinoamericana
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, FUENZALIDA VALERIO , FERNÁNDEZ FRANCISCO ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Published: January 2013

La implantación de la TV Digital está generando en Latinoamérica importantes debates y altas expectativas, por sus grandes potencialidades. Significa un cambio sustancial tanto en la forma de distribuir y elaborar los contenidos como en el efecto que pueda tener en la población. A ello hay que sumarle otro nuevo escenario, donde internet como plataforma de distribución comienza a cobrar relevancia en la difusión de contenidos audiovisuales. Son los asuntos que trata este número de Cuadernos de Información en su apartado temático.
Tracking Quantum Dot–Tagged Calcium Channels at Vertebrate Photoreceptor Synapses: Retinal Slices and Dissociated Cells
Authors: Mercer Aaron J. , Thoreson Wallace B.
Published: January 2013

At synapses in the central nervous system, precisely localized assemblies of presynaptic proteins, neurotransmitter‐filled vesicles, and postsynaptic receptors are required to communicate messages between neurons. Our understanding of synaptic function has been significantly advanced using electrophysiological methods, but the dynamic spatial behavior and real‐time organization of synapses remains poorly understood. In this unit, we describe a method for labeling individual presynaptic calcium channels with photostable quantum dots for single‐particle tracking analysis. We have used this technique to examine the mobility of L‐type calcium channels in the presynaptic membrane of rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina. These channels control release of glutamate‐filled synaptic vesicles at the ribbon synapses in photoreceptor terminals. This technique offers the advantage of providing a real‐time biophysical readout of ion channel mobility and can be manipulated by pharmacological or electrophysiological methods. For example, the combination of electrophysiological and single‐particle tracking experiments has revealed that fusion of nearby vesicles influences calcium channel mobility and changes in channel mobility can influence release. These approaches can also be readily adapted to examine membrane proteins in other systems. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 62:2.18.1‐2.18.23. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A New Type of Stereoselectivity in Baeyer–Villiger Reactions: Access to E‐ and Z‐Olefins
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Gang , Roiban Gheorghe‐Doru , Acevedo Juan Pablo , Polyak Iakov , Reetz Manfred T.
Published: January 2013

A new concept for accessing configurationally defined trisubstituted olefins has been developed. Starting from a common ketone precursor of the type 4‐ethylidenecyclohexanone, Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases are employed as catalysts in diastereoselective Baeyer–Villiger reactions leading to the corresponding E‐ or Z‐configurated lactones. Wild‐type cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO) as catalyst delivers the E‐isomers and a directed evolution mutant the opposite Z‐isomers. Subsequent transition metal‐catalyzed chemical transformations of a key product containing a vinyl bromide moiety provide a variety of different trisubstituted E‐ or Z‐olefins. A model based on QM/MM sheds light on the origin of this unusual type of diastereoselectivity. In contrast to this biocatalytic approach, traditional Baeyer–Villiger reagents such as m‐CPBA fail to show any selectivity, 1:1 mixtures of E‐ and Z‐olefins being formed.
Significant Genotype by Diet (G × D) Interaction Effects on Cardiometabolic Responses to a Pedigree‐Wide, Dietary Challenge in Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus)
Authors: VORUGANTI VENKATA S. , JORGENSEN MATTHEW J. , KAPLAN JAY R. , KAVANAGH KYLIE , RUDEL LARRY L. , TEMEL RYAN , FAIRBANKS LYNN A. , COMUZZIE ANTHONY G.
Published: January 2013

Nutrient composition of a diet (D) has been shown to interact with genetic predispositions (G) to affect various lipid phenotypes. Our aim in this study was to confirm G × D interaction and determine whether the interaction extends to other cardiometabolic risk factors such as glycemic measures and body weight. Subjects were vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus; n = 309) from a multigenerational pedigreed colony initially fed with a plant‐based diet, standard primate diet (18% calories from protein, 13% from fat, and 69% from carbohydrates), and subsequently challenged for 8 weeks with a diet modeled on the typical American diet (18% calories from protein, 35% from fat, and 47% from carbohydrates). Our results showed that although exposure to the challenge diet did not result in significant changes in weight, most lipid and glycemic biomarkers moved in an adverse direction (P < 0.01). Quantitative genetic analyses showed that cardiometabolic phenotypes were significantly heritable under both dietary conditions (P < 0.05), and there was significant evidence of G × D interaction for these phenotypes. We observed significant differences in the additive genetic variances for most lipid phenotypes (P < 10−4), indicating that the magnitude of genetic effects varies by diet. Furthermore, genetic correlations between diets differed significantly from 1 with respect to insulin, body weight, and some lipid phenotypes (P < 0.01). This implied that distinct genetic effects are involved in the regulation of these phenotypes under the two dietary conditions. These G × D effects confirm and extend previous observations in baboons (Papio sp.) and suggest that mimicking the typical human nutritional environment can reveal genetic influences that might not be observed in animals consuming standard, plant‐based diets. Am. J. Primatol. 75:491‐499, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subcutaneous immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: an evidence based review of the recent literature with recommendations
Authors: Purkey Michael T. , Smith Timothy L. , Ferguson Berrylin J. , Luong Amber , Reisacher William R. , Pillsbury Harold C. , Toskala Elina
Published: January 2013

Background

Allergic rhinitis is a common allergic disease with increasing prevalence in Western Societies. Medical therapy is first line treatment, and is aimed at reducing symptoms of immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated inflammation of the nasal passages. In patients with disease refractory to medical therapy, subcutaneous immunotherapy is an option. The aim of this study is to update a recent Cochrane review with available level 1 evidence for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed from 2006 to 2011 and compared with data from a 2007 Cochrane review on immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis. We included all studies of level 1 evidence. All forms of single extract immunotherapy were considered. Studies with primary asthma related end‐points were excluded. Primary end‐points were instruments of clinical efficacy (ie, symptom‐medication scores) and adverse events.

Results

We retrieved 12 level 1 studies for review. In total, 1512 patients were randomized into treatment groups, alternative study groups (alternative duration of therapy or sublingual immunotherapy [SLIT]), or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated based on reported symptom and/or medication score, validated quality of life instruments, immunological assays, challenge testing, and adverse events.

Conclusion

Subcutaneous immunotherapy improves symptom and/or medication scores and validated quality of life measures. In addition, associated changes in surrogate markers of immunologic protection are observed. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is safe when administered to carefully selected patients and in settings capable of responding to systemic reactions. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is recommended for patients with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis not responsive to conservative medical therapy, and whose symptoms significantly affect quality of life.
Adaptive Sub‐Band Acoustic Echo Cancellation Algorithms for Echo Paths Involving Nonlinear Amplifiers and Transducers
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Hsu Wei‐Chih
Published: January 2013

This paper examines the normalized least‐mean‐squares (NLMS) algorithm, the proportionate normalized least‐mean‐squares (PNLMS) algorithm, and the affine projection algorithm (APA) applied to the linear and nonlinear sub‐band acoustic echo canceller (AEC). The AEC aims at reducing the acoustic echo generated from a loudspeaker‐enclosure‐microphone (LEM) system. In order to enhance the efficacy of echo cancellation, the AEC utilizes sub‐band structure in conjunction with the PNLMS algorithm and the APA. To cope with nonlinear distortions from low‐cost transducers, the AEC is augmented with nonlinear processors based on second‐order Volterra filters and a Hammerstein nonlinear model. The proposed AEC was verified through extensive simulations and experiments. The results have shown that the proposed system achieved improved echo cancellation performance over conventional systems and met the telecom standard ITU‐T Rec. G.168.
Active Vibration Reduction System Optimal Control Using Linear Matrix Inequalities with No Directional Change in Controls
Authors: Horla Dariusz , Lewandowski Roman , Schmidt Adam , Kraft Marek , Giernacki Wojciech
Published: January 2013

Significant attention has been paid recently to the reduction of building vibration in civil engineering. In this paper, the synthesis of an optimal controller utilising convex optimisation and linear matrix inequalities is presented with the incorporated concept of preserving the optimal control vector direction. The notion of avoiding directional change in controls is new to the vibration reduction systems field, although it appears attractive because of dimensionality of the problems. The controller design is analysed by means of comparing maximum node displacements in the model of the frame of the building with performance tested using the historical record of the El Centro earthquake. The simulations performed have shown that the designed controller is able to reduce maximum displacements in comparison with the cut‐off saturation approach.
Properties of chitosan‐immobilized cellulase in ionic liquid
Authors: Su Zhongliang , Yu Yang , Liang Chengwei , Li Lu , Yu Shitao
Published: January 2013

The properties of cellulase that was attached to the surface of the chitosan carrier in aqueous–ionic liquid (IL; 1,3‐dimeth‐ylimidazolium dimethylphosphate) mixture were studied. The optimal temperature for immobilized cellulase in aqueous–IL mixed solutions was 60 °C. The immobilized cellulase acquired the highest relative activity at a ratio of 1:4 (IL to water, v/v), compared to activity levels of 79% and 7%, when the ratio of IL to water (v/v) was 0:1 and 1:0, respectively. At 80 °C, the immobilized cellulase in the aqueous–IL mixture conserved 46.3% activity after 120 Min. The immobilized cellulase can be effectively reused three times. After 4 weeks, the activity of immobilized cellulase maintained 83.5%. The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum reaction velocity (Vm) values for the immobilized cellulase were 4.8 mg/L and 0.156 mg/(mL Min), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the properties of chitosan‐immobilized cellulase in aqueous–IL.
Maternal severe stressful life events and risk of neural tube defects among rural Chinese
Authors: Li Zhiwen , Zhang Le , Li Hongtian , Ye Rongwei , Liu Jianmeng , Ren Aiguo
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

Several human studies suggested an association between maternal stressful life events and increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). All of these studies, however, are from the United States; little was known among populations in developing countries that have different social and economic status.

METHODS

We examined the association between occurrence of maternal severe stressful life events during the periconceptional period and risk of NTDs in a population‐based case‐control study in Shanxi Province, China. Participants included 631 NTD cases (285 with anencephaly, 297 with spina bifida, and 49 with encephalocele) and 862 normal controls born between 2002 and 2007. Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) controlling for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS

Occurrence of maternal severe stressful life events was associated with a crude OR of 6.3 (95% CI, 2.8–14.4) for NTDs. After adjustment for all potential variables, the adjusted OR for NTDs remain significant (adjusted OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.4–12.6), and stronger for anencephaly (adjusted OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2–15.9) than for spina bifida (adjusted OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 0.9–12.7). Adjustment for lifestyle variables greatly reduced the risk by 32%. A significant difference was found for some lifestyle characteristics between women with and without severe life events.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the association between maternal stress and risk of NTDs that has been consistently reported in the United States. The effect may be the combined results of maternal physiologic changes and lifestyle changes. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2013, © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Numerical modeling of heat and mass transfer in the human eye under millimeter wave exposure
Authors: Karampatzakis Andreas , Samaras Theodoros
Published: January 2013

Human exposure to millimeter wave (MMW) radiation is expected to increase in the next several years. In this work, we present a thermal model of the human eye under MMW illumination. The model takes into account the fluid dynamics of the aqueous humor and predicts a frequency‐dependent reversal of its flow that also depends on the incident power density. The calculated maximum fluid velocity in the anterior chamber and the temperature rise at the corneal apex are reported for frequencies from 40 to 100 GHz and different values of incident power density. Bioelectromagnetics 34:291–299, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Galantamine potentiates the neuroprotective effect of memantine against NMDA‐induced excitotoxicity
Authors: Lopes João P. , Tarozzo Glauco , Reggiani Angelo , Piomelli Daniele , Cavalli Andrea
Published: January 2013

The combination of memantine, an N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) is the current standard of care in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Galantamine, an AChEI currently marketed for the treatment of AD, exerts memory‐enhancing and neuroprotective effects via activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here, we investigated the neuroprotective properties of galantamine in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons when given alone or in combination with memantine. In agreement with previous findings, we found that memantine was fully effective in reversing NMDA toxicity at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 μmol/L. Galantamine also completely reversed NMDA toxicity at a concentration of 5 μmol/L. The α7 and α4β2 nAChR antagonists, methyllycaconitine, and dihydro‐β‐erythroidine blocked the neuroprotective effect of galantamine, demonstrating the involvement of nAChRs. The combination of memantine with galantamine produced synergistic actions, such that full neuroprotective efficacy, was obtained at inactive concentrations of memantine (0.1 μmol/L) and galantamine (1 μmol/L). A similar potentiation was also observed when memantine was replaced with ifenprodil, suggesting a possible involvement of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor. In summary, our study reports for the first time at a cellular level that memantine and galantamine interact on the same excitotoxic cascade and that the combination of these two drugs can result in a remarkable neuroprotective effect.
Generation of Molecular Complexity from Cyclooctatetraene: Preparation of Optically Active Protected Aminocycloheptitols and Bicyclo[4.4.1]undecatriene
Authors: El‐Mansy Mohamed F. , Sar Anobick , Lindeman Sergey , Donaldson William A.
Published: January 2013

The racemic (6‐cyclo‐heptadienyl)Fe(CO)3+ cation ((±)‐7), prepared from cyclooctatetraene, was treated with a variety of carbon and heteroatom nucleophiles. Attack took place at the less hindered C1 dienyl carbon and decomplexation of the (cycloheptadiene)Fe(CO)3 complexes gave products rich in functionality for further synthetic manipulation. In particular, a seven‐step route was developed from racemic (6‐styryl‐2,4‐cycloheptadien‐1‐yl)phthalimide ((±)‐9 d) to afford the optically active aminocycloheptitols (−)‐20 and (+)‐20.
3D Ni(II)/Cu(II) Supermolecular Frameworks Based on Pyridylamine and Fumarate Co‐ligands Containing a Trinodal (4,5,6)‐Connected Network and a (H2O)16 Water Cluster
Authors: Kang Yifan , Liu Qing , Yin Wenting , Zhang Wentao , Liu Ping
Published: January 2013

Two new complexes, [Ni(dpypda)(H2O)3]·(fum) (1) and [Cu2(dpypda)2(fum)2]n·8nH2O (2) (dpypda=N2,N4‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)pyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine, fum=fumarate), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a discrete unit, exhibiting a (4,5,6)‐connected framework formed by hydrogen bonding interactions and electrostatic interactions between free fum dianions and mononuclear [Ni(dpypda)(H2O)3]2+ cations. However, in complex 2, two crystallographically independent fum dianions adopt the alternative mode of mixed monodentate bridging and chelating and bis(monodentate) bridging Cu(II) atoms to produce a one‐dimensional (1D) in?nite zigzag chain. And there are unique (H2O)16 water clusters which consist of one cyclic (H2O)4 tetramer and two cyclic (H2O)5 pentamer with six dangling water molecules in its 3D supramolecular framework. Both 1 and 2 are characterized by IR and elemental analysis, and the TG properties were also investigated for 2.
Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction Co‐catalyzed by Amphiphilic Prolinamide Phenol and Lewis Acidic Metal on Water
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhang Yunxiao , Li Zaichun , Song Zhongtai , Liu Hao , Tao Jingchao
Published: January 2013

An approach based on combinations of various water compatible Lewis acids and lipophilic group containing amphiphilic prolinamide co‐catalysts has been evaluated for the direct asymmetric Aldol reaction. From the broad screening of chloride salts from alkali metal to transition metal, LiCl, ZnCl2 and SnCl2 lead to the highest stereoselectivities. The optimized catalytic conditions (10 mol% prolinamide with 10 mol% MCl2 or 20 mol% LiCl at room temperature on water) gave anti‐products with improved enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) compared to the moderately stereoselective procedure based on prolinamide activation only.
Stereospecific Synthesis of Drospirenone
Authors: Deng Gang , Huang Zuogang , Zhao Xiaolong , Li Zheng , Li Yuanchao , Jiang Biao
Published: January 2013

A procedure for the stereospecific synthesis of drospirenone has been developed. The key steps included the stereospecific reduction of the C7‐tertiary alcohol with ZnI2/Et3SiH, a novel mild and stereospecific tertiary alcohol reduction system, and the tandem oxidation/cyclopropanation reactions.
Soil Microbial and Enzyme Activities Response to Pollution Near an Aluminium Smelter
Authors: García‐Gil Juan Carlos , Kobza Jozef , Soler‐Rovira Pedro , Javoreková Soňa
Published: January 2013

The aim of this research was to assess the impact caused by a long‐term pollution by fluoride and heavy metals in two soils (PS1 and PS2) near an aluminium smelter in Slovakia, on soil microbial biomass C (MBC), basal respiration, metabolic quotient (qCO2) water‐soluble organic C (WSOC) and enzymes activities involved in the C, N and P biogeochemical cycles. An unpolluted soil was used as control (C0). Results obtained for soil fluoride content reflected a gradient of fluoride exposure in topsoils of contaminated sites. Decreases in microbial and enzymatic activities and in MBC to organic C ratio were found in PS2 site, which is closer to the smelter and exhibited the highest fluoride content. PS1‐soil showed an extreme alkaline pH caused by leaching of waste effluents from the smelter dumping site, higher contents of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd, significantly larger MBC, qCO2 and catalase and urease activities, and much larger basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity than PS2 and C0‐soil. Phosphatase, β‐glucosidase and BAA‐protease were negatively correlated with WSOC, basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity, and showed some degree of inhibition in polluted sites. These results may indicate different responses of microbial communities to ecosystem disturbances, caused by the drastic changes in soil's physicochemical properties as result of the long‐term emissions of fly ash with high levels of contaminants that are still affecting soil microbial and enzymatic activities.
Spatial Distribution of SO2, NO2, and O3 Concentrations in an Industrial City of Turkey Using a Passive Sampling Method
Authors: Pekey Beyhan , Özaslan Ümmiye
Published: January 2013

Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) were measured at 51 sampling points by passive sampling technique in Kocaeli, an important industrial city in Turkey. Samples were analyzed by UV‐spectrophotometry for NO2 and O3 and by ion chromatography for SO2, respectively. Concentrations of SO2, NO2, and O3 were determined to investigate their spatial distribution and source characterization. The sampling campaigns revealed an average concentration of 8 µg/m3 (max. 82 µg/m3) for SO2, and 14 µg/m3 (max. 40 µg/m3) for NO2, in summer; while average winter concentrations were 25 µg/m3 (max. 61 µg/m3) for SO2, and 50 µg/m3 (max. 100 µg/m3) for NO2. The maximum ozone concentrations were determined to be 86 µg/m3 in summer and 61 µg/m3 in winter downwind of the source areas of the precursor pollutant emissions. The results showed that NO2 and SO2 concentrations in industrial and urban areas were two to four times higher compared with rural areas in the summer and winter. In the light of the information obtained from the spatial interpolation of the pollutant concentrations, a selection of appropriate locations for continuous monitoring was suggested according to the European Community (EU) directives.
Modern Subunit Vaccines: Development, Components, and Research Opportunities
Authors: Moyle Peter Michael , Toth Istvan
Published: January 2013

Traditional vaccines, based on the administration of killed or attenuated microorganisms, have proven to be among the most effective methods for disease prevention. Safety issues related to administering these complex mixtures, however, prevent their universal application. Through identification of the microbial components responsible for protective immunity, vaccine formulations can be simplified, enabling molecular‐level vaccine characterization, improved safety profiles, prospects to develop new high‐priority vaccines (e.g. for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria), and the opportunity for extensive vaccine component optimization. This subunit approach, however, comes at the expense of decreased immunity, requiring the addition of immunostimulatory agents (adjuvants). As few adjuvants are currently used in licensed vaccines, adjuvant development represents an exciting area for medicinal chemists to play a role in the future of vaccine development. In addition, immune responses can be further customized though optimization of delivery systems, tuning the size of particulate vaccines, targeting specific cells of the immune system (e.g. dendritic cells), and adding components to aid vaccine efficacy in whole immunized populations (e.g. promiscuous T‐helper epitopes). Herein we review the current state of the art and future direction in subunit vaccine development, with a focus on the described components and their potential to steer the immune response toward a desired response.
Modification of Electrode Surfaces by Self‐Assembled Monolayers of Thiol‐Terminated Oligo(Phenyleneethynylene)s
Authors: Kaur Inderpreet , Zhao Xiaotao , Bryce Martin R. , Schauer Phil A. , Low Paul J. , Kataky Ritu
Published: January 2013

The wire‐like properties of four S‐(4‐{2‐[4‐(2‐phenylethynyl)phenyl]ethynyl}phenyl) thioacetate derivatives, PhC≡CC6H4C≡CC6H4SAc (1), H2NC6H4C≡CC6H4C≡CC6H4SAc (2), PhC≡CC6H2(OMe)2C≡CC6H4SAc (3) and AcSC6H4C≡CC6H4C≡CC6H4SAc (4) (Figure 1), all of which possess a high degree of conjugation along the oligo(phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) backbone, were investigated as self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold and platinum electrodes by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The redox probe [Fe(CN)6]4− was used in both the CV and impedance experiments. The results indicate that the thiolates derived from thioacetate‐protected precursor molecules 1 and 2 form well‐ordered monolayers on a gold electrode, whereas SAMs derived from 3 and 4 exhibit randomly distributed pinholes. The electron tunnelling resistance and fractional coverage of SAMs of all four compounds were examined using electron tunnelling theory. The analysis of the results reveal that the well‐ordered SAMs of 1 and 2 exhibit higher charge‐transfer resistance in comparison to the defect‐ridden SAMs of 3 and 4. The additional steric bulk offered by the methoxy groups in 3 is likely to prevent efficient packing within the SAM, leading to a microelectrode behaviour, when assembled on a gold electrode surface. The protected dithiol derivative 4 probably binds to the surface through both terminal groups which prevents dense packing and leads to the formation of a monolayer with randomly distributed pinholes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to examine the morphology of the monolayers, and height images gave root‐mean‐square (RMS) roughness′s which are in agreement with the proposed SAM structures.
The Charging of Micellar Nanoparticles in Electrospray Ionization
Authors: Doussineau Tristan , Santacreu Marion , Antoine Rodolphe , Dugourd Philippe , Zhang Wenjing , Chaduc Isabelle , Lansalot Muriel , D'Agosto Franck , Charleux Bernadette
Published: January 2013

Charging of nanoparticles through electrospray has scarcely been explored. Spherical nanometer‐sized amphiphilic block copolymer nanoparticles with diameters ranging from ∼65 to ∼150 nm were electrosprayed and analysed by charge detection spectrometry. Herein, we explore the charging of these micellar nano‐objects by conducting a thorough study in different solvents, including pure water, and upon the addition of “supercharging” agents. The charge (z) of micellar nanoparticles electrosprayed from water solution is compared to the Rayleigh’s limiting charge (zR) of a charged water droplet of the same dimensions. An average ratio (z/zR) of 0.6–0.65 is observed for the micellar macro‐ions, supporting the charge residue mechanism, where the number of charges available to the micellar macro‐ion is limited by the number of charges on the nanodroplet, which is a function of the surface tension of the solvent. Also we show the possibility of increasing the charging of micellar nanoparticles in the negative mode by adding organic bases (in particular piperidine) to water/methanol solutions.