bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JOVENS SUPERVISORES DE UM CALL CENTER: EX-TELEOPERADORES OU SUJEITOS RESPONSÁVEIS PELO EXERCÍCIO DISCIPLINAR DA EMPRESA?
Authors: Teixeira Benevides Márcio Renato
Published: February 2019

O artigo resulta de entrevistas com jovens de um call center de Fortaleza. Analisase como teleoperadores promovidos a cargos de supervisão assumem posições diferentes e “vestem a camisa” da contratante, passando a não se reconhecer mais como membro da teleoperação. Investiguei elementos sobre a disciplina, o processo de seleção, a fluidez da ascensão de cargos, os novos esquemas perceptivos do novo “campo de trabalho”, a função do supervisor dentro de uma empresa que funciona na base da busca por produtividade e, por fim, como essa subida de cargo é legitimada na teleoperação.
POLÍTICAS SOCIAIS: ESTRATÉGIAS DE GOVERNAMENTALIDADE
Authors: Armiliato Vinicius
Published: February 2019

A partir da consideração de que as políticas públicas são ações racionalizadas pelo Estado, pretendo apontar neste artigo o ponto de contato das discussões teóricas das políticas públicas, com a idei a de governamentalidade biopolítica proposta por Michel Foucault. O artigo está delimitado em torno das políticas sociais, marcantes no surgimento e desenvolvimento do Welfare State. São apontados alguns fatores que fizeram do Estado um operador da provisã o de determinados serviços, sob a ótica do conceito da governamentalidade biopolítica. Quais seriam os fins das políticas sociais e de que forma elas passam a ser importantes para a manutenção do Estado? Uma das interpretações sobre políticas sociais é que estas se caracterizam como manobras que o Estado lança mão com o fim de manter-se em equilíbrio enquanto entidade autônoma. Para tanto é preciso canalizar, direcionar, controlar os fluxos da população, oferecendo impulso para desenvolvimento em determinad os setores quando conveniente ou, de modo contrário mas também conveniente, reduzindo incentivos. As políticas sociais funcionariam como uma das ferramentas que assumem um compromisso com a potência do próprio Estado. A governamentalidade biopolítica, esca ncarada como um controle dos fluxos da população, incentivando ou não que determinadas classes acessem determinados saberes e lugares, pode ser contemplada lançando um olhar para programas de políticas sociais, como de previdência, educação, geração de emprego, entre outros.
PREOCUPAÇÕES E RECOMENDAÇÕES PARA A PRIMEIRA EDUCAÇÃO DA CRIANÇA CRISTÃ NA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA MEDIEVAL (SÉCULO XIII)
Authors: De Souza Camila Tatiane
Published: February 2019

Fazendo uso do livro Doutrina para crianças de Raimundo Lúlio, este trabalho busca compreender quais as instruções para a primeira educação das crianças, ainda no ambiente familiar, uma vez que frequentar uma escola ou receber um instrutor caracteriza uma das etapas do ensino formal e antes de chegar à idade apropriada para tal, a criança recebe de maneira informal a su a primeira educação, mediada pelos adultos que a rodeiam. Atitudes como o receber, cuidar, zelar e educar chegaram a ser questionadas se realmente existiram durante a Idade Média, a partir desta visão este estudo realiza um debate bibliográfico relatando diversas normas e cuidados da sociedade medieval em relação à infância, na sequência é realizado uma breve descrição do sistema de ensino formal da região estudada. Desta forma, é possível compreender que a criança medieval deve ser protegida, respeitada e educada desde os primeiros anos de vida.
COLÔNIA MERGULHÃO: O TURISMO RURAL SOB A ÓTICA DE UMA SOCIOLOGIA RURAL
Authors: Motta Edson Rodolfo Garrido
Published: February 2019

As reflexões apresentadas decorrem do trabalho de campo junto a Colônia Mergulhão e seu Circuito de Turismo Rural de São José dos Pinhais conhecido como Caminho do Vinho. Nesse sentido, este artigo visou trazer um olhar para além da normatividade conceitual inerente ao turismo rural sob a ótica sociologia e, com isso, diversos elementos do rural passam a ter papel relevante e que, naturalmente, são visualizados pelos visitantes em Mergulhão. O caminho metodológico se deu por meio de observação participante e notas de campo. Como resultado, percebemos que a Colônia Mergulhão não está representada apenas pelo seu circuito de turismo rural, mas por sua imutabilidade e pela sua capacidade de reinvenção diante da complexidade da própria modernidade.
A CONTROVÉRSIA SIMONSEN VERSUS GUDIN SOBRE O PLANEJAMENTO NA ECONOMIA BRASILEIRA
Authors: Leão Igor Zanoni Constant Carneiro
Published: February 2019

Este artigo é uma apresentação, ainda que breve, da controvérsia Roberto Cochrane Simonsen x Eugênio Gudin sobre os rumos da política econômica que deveria ser adotada no após-guerra pelo Estado brasileiro, destacando, por sua originalidade, o embate travado, desde 1930, entre intelectuais e homens públicos de corte liberal e desenvolvimentista de diversos matizes, os quais se tornaram dominantes na política pública até a década de setenta e ainda são uma referência para a atualidade.
Perceived Social Support in Recreational Activity Participation: A Study on Students
Authors: Gumus Huseyin , Honca Ayse Asli , Cetinkaya Turan
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine university students’ perceived social support level in recreational activity participation. 536 students who were selected from 3 different universities using convenience sampling participated in the study voluntarily. As data collection form; Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS-R) and Preference Factors of Recreation Areas (PFRA) scale were used. For the analyses of the data; descriptive statistics, Independent Samples T Test used for two groups depending on the number of the variables and One Way ANOVA used for groups more than two were used. In order to find out which group demonstrated the difference found as a result of variance analyses, Tukey test -one of the multiple comparison tests- was used. In terms of recreational activity participation, the most effective factor in students’ average scores of perceived social support scale was peer support (2.690±0.372) while the least effective factor was teacher support (2.033±0.535). Total average score was found to be 2.441±0.274. The most effective factor in students’ average scores of Recreation Area Preference Agents Scale was sporting diversity (4.448±0.776) and staff (4.128±0.681) and these factors were followed by physical facilities (3.736±0.562), location (3.185±0.647) and activity diversity (3.074±0.586); respectively. Besides, there were significant differences in perceived social support levels of the study group in terms of gender and accommodation variables. It was concluded that the highest support for students’ recreational activity participation came from their peers while the lowest support was obtained from teachers. It may be argued that students staying at public dormitories used recreational areas built by municipalities more than other students. It was identified that criterion that all the student groups put the biggest emphasis on while preferring recreation areas was sporting diversity offered by the recreation areas.
De definitieve nieuwe Richtlijn Audiovisuele Mediadiensten: een eerste analyse
Authors: Jurjens E.W.
Published: February 2019

De definitieve nieuwe Richtlijn Audiovisuele Mediadiensten: een eerste analyse

Dit artikel bevat een eerste analyse van de inhoud van de definitieve herziene Richtlijn Audiovisuele Mediadiensten, waarbij aandacht wordt besteed aan de uitbreiding van de reikwijdte van de Richtlijn naar ‘video sharing platforms’. Daarbij komt aan de orde dat de richtlijn nieuwe regels stelt voor alle gereguleerde partijen over content die schadelijk kan zijn voor minderjarigen en content die kwalificeert als ‘hate speech’. Mede aan de hand van de positie van Nederland bij de onderhandelingen over de richtlijn en een analyse van artikel 7 Grondwet wordt tot slot een eerste aanzet gegeven voor de discussie over de implementatie van de richtlijn in Nederland.

Richtlijn (EU) 2018/1808 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 14 november 2018 tot wijziging van Richtlijn 2010/13/EU betreffende de coördinatie van bepaalde wettelijke en bestuursrechtelijke bepalingen in de lidstaten inzake het aanbieden van audiovisuele mediadiensten (richtlijn audiovisuele mediadiensten) in het licht van een veranderende marktsituatie, PbEU 2018, L 303/69.
Borderline Brenner Tumor: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Zheng Ruifang , Heller Debra S.
Published: February 2019

Brenner tumors arise from ovarian epithelium, accounting for approximately 5% of benign ovarian epithelial tumors. The World Health Organization classification groups them into benign, borderline, and malignant on the basis of proliferation and invasiveness, and borderline Brenner tumor is defined as “displaying epithelial proliferation beyond that seen in benign Brenner's tumor, but lacking stromal invasion.” Borderline Brenner tumors are rare. Fewer than 60 cases have been reported. The more recent articles mostly focus on pathogenesis. We reviewed the literature on borderline Brenner tumor and have summarized the clinical and pathologic findings, as well as the treatment, differential diagnoses, and recent advances in histogenesis and molecular pathogenesis.
Surveying Middle-Grades Teachers' Reasoning About Fraction Arithmetic in Terms of Measured Quantities
Authors: Izsák Andrew , Jacobson Erik , Bradshaw Laine
Published: February 2019

We report a novel survey that narrows the gap between information about teachers' knowledge of fraction arithmetic provided, on the one hand, by measures practical to administer at scale and, on the other, by close analysis of moment-to-moment cognition. In particular, the survey measured components that would support reasoning directly with measured quantities, not by executing computational algorithms, to solve problems. These components—each of which was grounded in past research—were attention to referent units, partitioning and iterating, appropriateness, and reversibility. A second part of the survey asked about teachers' professional preparation and history. We administered the survey to a national sample of in-service middle-grades mathematics teachers in the United States and received responses from 990 of those teachers. We analyzed responses to items in the first part of the survey using the log-linear diagnostic classification model to estimate each teacher's profile of strengths and weaknesses with respect to the four components of reasoning. We report on the diversity of profiles that we found and on relationships between those profiles and various aspects of teachers' professional preparation and history. Our results provide insight into teachers' knowledge resources for enacting standards-based instruction in fraction arithmetic and an example of new possibilities for mathematics education research afforded by recent advances in psychometric modeling.
Does Auditor Objectivity Impact on the Relationship Between Information Technology and Efficiency and Effectiveness of Auditing: Evidence from Iraq
Authors: Salih Waleed Khalid
Published: February 2019

This work aims to determine the effect of information technology on effectiveness and efficiency of auditors in the context of non-profit organizations in Iraq. Also to investigate the mediating influence on the relationship between information technology and the audit process' effectiveness and efficiency. The study framework was based on those reported in literature pertaining to the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). The target population in this work are auditors of Iraqi non-profit organizations. 354 questionnaires were sent to the participants, however, only 262 were returned and deemed applicable for this work, which culminates in a 74.3 percent response rate. SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Science) version 24 was utilized to examine the research model. The data were processed using many statistical techniques, such as (Descriptive Statistics, Correlations Analysis and Multiple Regressions). The study found that there is a significant influence on the auditors' objectivity due to their role as a mediator on the relationship between IT and auditing non-profit organizations. The findings also confirmed that the auditors are required to upgrade their knowledge vis-Ã -vis computerized information systems to plan, direct, supervise, and review the performed tasks. The implications of these findings in this work are significant for managers and auditors, while also providing insights and encouraging evaluation of computerized accounting systems.
Laceração peniana em cavalo Mangalarga Marchador
Authors: Moya-Araujo Carla Fredrichsen , Mendes Adriano Felipe , Marcantonio Coneglian Mariana , Camplesi Annelise Carla , Araujo Gustavo Henrique Marques
Published: February 2019

Foi atendido na Clínica Escola de Medicina Veterinária da Unicentro um garanhão Mangalarga Marchador de 4 anos de idade, com queixa de lesão em pênis. O proprietário relatou que o animal havia ferido o pênis em cerca de arame liso havia duas semanas. O paciente foi medicado na propriedade com benzilpenicilina associada à estreptomicina, além de terapia anti-inflamatória à base de dexametasona, durante três dias consecutivos, sem melhora clínica. Ao exame físico, observou-se dor intensa e edema em prepúcio que dificultava a exposição do pênis. Foi necessária a administração de acepromazina para a avaliação do órgão. A laceração se estendia da porção dorsal até a ventral do terço médio do corpo do pênis, sem comprometimento do prepúcio, sendo recoberta por áreas de necrose e apresentando odor fétido e sangramento. Não foram detectadas demais alterações clínicas. Foi realizado hemograma, não sendo observadas alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos. O animal permaneceu internado e o tratamento preconizado foi administração de flunixin meglumine (1,1 mg/kg, IV a cada 24 horas) e omeprazol (2 mg/kg, VO a cada 24 horas) durante cinco dias consecutivos, associados a curativo local, o qual era precedido por ducha fria em prepúcio, seguida de massagem com dimetil sulfóxido (DMSO) gel; ao redor da lesão era aplicado spray repelente. O pênis foi exposto para a limpeza da ferida com gaze embebida em solução de NaCl 0,9%, seguida pela aplicação de pomada à base de clorexidina (0,7 g/100 mL), procedimento este realizado a cada 12 horas, durante 45 dias. No segundo dia de tratamento foi possível observar a diminuição do edema e após cinco dias o animal já expunha o pênis para urinar, com completa cicatrização ao final do tratamento, após 45 dias, quando recebeu alta hospitalar. Na estação de monta seguinte, o animal retornou às atividades reprodutivas sem apresentar alterações anatomofisiológicas.
Building a mathematical model of wedge-soil interaction process
Authors: Syromyatnikov Yuriy Nikolaevich
Published: February 2019

The authors consider the procedure of building mathematical models of stability of mechanical systems functioning as described in Lyapunov theory used for solving the tasks of agricultural mechanics. The authors describe the results of agricultural machines operation analysis. The authors build the dependencies which can help define soil pulverization angle for various tillage depths based on the given parameters. These dependencies help define the parameters of dynamical systems reducing their energy consumption, improving qualitative indicators and creating the conditions for equipment performance improvement. The described model of the physical essence of wedge-soil interaction process is widely used for solving various tasks of justification the parameters of tilling mechanisms. However, the physical essence of processes occurring in the tilled soil layer under the influence of a wedge has not been studied sufficiently enough. When using any stability theory, it is important to define ultimate strain values causing material deformations leading to the destruction of the initial structure. Ultimate stress values can be easily defined by experiment only for stretching strain and compressional strain. Consequently, to define the strains occurring in soil under the influence of wedge, we can accept a hypothesis that a tilled soil layer splits away from the elastic mass by bending.  
An Insight into Impact of Partial Ground and Dual Trapezoidal Slots on Bandwidth and Gain considerations for a Microstrip Antenna Array for WiMax Application
Authors: Raviteja G. V.
Published: February 2019

In this work, design and analysis of microstrip patch antenna is carried out. A (2 X 1) antenna array is considered, with dimensions (W x L) as 35.11 mm x 27.13 mm. The dielectric substrate is taken to be FR4 epoxy with dielectric constant as 4.3 and loss tangent of 0.02. Dual trapezoidal slots are introduced to improve the gain considerations for the considered antenna array. The simulations are carried out and it is observed that the gain is improved. As a second stage in the work, to improve the bandwidth of operation for the dual trapezoidal antenna array, the concept of partial ground is taken into consideration. The simulations are carried in HFSS. It is found out that the introduction of partial ground improved the bandwidth of the antenna structure considered while preserving the gain to the maximum extent possible. The gain was found to be 7.0875 dB with centre frequency 2.4020 GHz. The frequency range below -10dB for the considered antenna array structure with partial ground was around 2.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz. This range is utilized in the WiMax application which covers the frequency ranges (2.3 GHz to 2.4 GHz) and (2.496 GHz to 2.690 GHz).
Theoretical and Experimental Study of Split Semi Horse Shoe Structure
Authors: Singh G. , Pattnaik S. S.
Published: February 2019

In this paper a new planar metamaterial structure that looks like semi-horse shoe in shape (SSHSS) is designed and simulated. Theoretical analysis of proposed structure done using equivalent circuit theory. Medium effective parameters are extracted using modified NRW approach which proved the metamaterial property of the new unit cell. Radiation pattern, directivity and gain of the new structure were illustrated which gives the possibility of using SSHSS as the antenna. Proposed structure shows multiband characteristics. This antenna shows high directivity (7.92 dBi, 7.86 dBi, 10.11 dBi) and moderate gain (2.55 dBi, 3.90 dBi, 5.07 dBi) at 5.83 GHz, 8.41 GHz, 10.68 GHz respectively. RT duroid is used for fabrication of prototype of the proposed structure. This new structure can be used as metamaterial inspired antenna as well as normal patch antenna. Experimental results shows good agreement with simulated and theoretical results.The proposed structure has been simulated using IE3D electromagnetic simulator.
X-Band GaN High-Power Amplifier Using Hybrid Power Combining Technique for SAR Applications
Authors: Lee Y.-J. , Chang C.-Y. , Chou Y.-H. , Tarn I-Y. , Yaung J. Y.-C. , Tarng J.-H. , Chung S.-J.
Published: February 2019

An X-band high-power amplifier (HPA) based on gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) has been developed for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. A hybrid power combining technique, including microstrip circuits and waveguides, is used to design the HPA. For reducing the size, four 50 W GaN HEMTs cascaded with one 1-to-4 power divider and one 4-to-1 power combiner form a 4-way power combined PCB circuits. For combing the high power and driving an antenna, two PCB circuits are combined by magic-T waveguides. The transmission efficiency of the power combining is approximately 80%. In the 10% duty cycle (pulse width 100 us), the output power of the HPA is over 200 W across the band of 9.5–9.8 GHz. The maximum output power is 230 W at 9.5 GHz, and the power gain is 8.3 dB at 46.1°C.
Comparative Effects of Alkaloid and Saponin Fractions of Rauwolfia vomitoria on Social Behaviour and Depression in a CD1 Mouse Model of Memory Impairment
Authors: Bisong Sunday A. , Abuo Favour E. , Udefa Augustine L. , Ironbar Veronica E. , Bassey Gloria B.
Published: February 2019

Aqueous root bark extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) has been reported to reduce anxiety among other uses. The study compared the effect of alkaloid and saponin fractions of RV on social behaviour and depression in scopolamine-induced memory-impaired CD1 mice. The alkaloid and saponin fractions were extracted from the root bark of the plant using standard methods. Forty-two (42) CD1 mice were grouped into six (n=7): Control mice were given placebo; three groups were given scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.(explain) for 5 days to induce memory impairment), with 2 of them treated with the alkaloid (0.15 mg/kg, p.o.) and saponin (0.10 mg/kg, p.o.) fractions of R. vomitoria respectively. The other 2 groups were given either of the alkaloid fraction or saponin fraction of RV. Treatment lasted 21 days, after which mice were given the forced swim test and tail suspension test to assess depression and nesting test to assess social behaviour. Results showed that latency to immobility for the alkaloid fraction-treated group decreased significantly while the duration of immobility increased significantly (P<0.05) compared to control. This shows a strong positive depressive symptom. The saponin fraction-treated group however showed a significant increased in the latency to immobility while the duration of immobility decreased significantly compared to control (P<0.05). Thus, the saponin fraction of R. vomitoria decreased depression. In the test to assess social behaviour, the alkaloid group showed a significant decrease in nesting score which indicates social loss whereas the saponin group showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in nesting score compared to control. Therefore, the saponin constituent of Rauwolfia vomitoria has a high antidepressant advantage over the alkaloids fraction.
Predicting Activities of Daily Living of People Occupying Smart Environments
Authors: Elbayoudi Abubaker
Published: February 2019

Aims/ objectives: To interpret the trends of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Activities of Daily Working (ADW) of people who are occupying Ambient Intelligence (AmI) environments and predict the next activities’ time values. This research has two main contributions; A novel proposed technique called Activity Prediction Moving Average (APMA) based on Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) and propose a new framework to be used in our research based on the Adaptive-Network based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS).Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: Department of Computer science, Institute of Science and Technology, between August 2018 and November 2018.Methodology: Three datasets are included in this research of people who are occupying smart environments. These datasets are examined using APMA and ANFIS techniques.Results: The results of the applied techniques show a good indicator of using them in human behaviour forecasting.Conclusion: we investigated prediction techniques that can be applied to the human behaviours’ data. The proposed solutions demonstrate the feasibility of interpreting this kind of data. These techniques will support the supervisor to get clear information about the situation of the participant who occupying a smart environment.
Analysis of a Modified Gompertz Model Based on Nonlinear Least Squares Method
Authors: Yang Lizhi , Xiang Xiwang , Cao Jiahao , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: February 2019

This paper proposes a modified Gompertz model with a constant free term based on the classical Gompertz model. Different from the three-sum method for determining the parameters of classical Gompertz model, this paper construct an optimization problem with the help of nonlinear least squares method. Moreover, employing the Levenberg-Marquardt method and the MATLAB software, the numerilal solution of the optimization problem is found. A numerilal example is provided in this paper. Finally, this paper uses this model to forecast the consumption level of Chinese rural residents, and the results illustrate the modified Gompertz model provides accurate prediction.
Asymptotic Analysis of the Static and Dynamic Buckling of a Column with Cubic - Quintic Nonlinearity Stressed by a Step Load
Authors: Ette A. M. , Chukwuchekwa J. U. , Udo–Akpan I. U. , Osuji W. I.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, the static and dynamic buckling loads of a viscously damped imperfect finite column lying on an elastic foundation with cubic – quintic nonlinearity but trapped by a step load (in the dynamic case) is investigated analytically. The main objective is to determine analytically both the static and dynamic buckling loads by means of perturbation and asymptotic procedures and relate both buckling loads in one single formula. The formulation contains small perturbations particularly in the viscous damping and imperfection amplitude. Multi – timing perturbation techniques and asymptotics are easily utilized in analyzing the problem. The results, which are nontrivially obtained, are implicit in nature and are valid as long as the magnitudes of the small perturbations become asymptotically small compared to unity.
Transgenerational inheritance of cold temperature response in Drosophila
Authors: Karunakar Pinreddy , Bhalla Ameek , Sharma Abhay
Published: February 2019

Intergenerational inheritance of transcriptional responses induced by low temperature rearing has recently been shown in Drosophila. Besides germline inheritance, fecal transfer experiments indirectly suggested that the acquired microbiome may also have contributed to the transcriptional responses in offspring. Here, we analyze expression data on inheritance of the cold‐induced effects in conjunction with previously reported transcriptomic differences between flies with a microbiota or axenic flies and provide support for a contribution of the acquired microbiome to the offspring phenotype. Also, based on a similar analysis in conjunction with diet‐ and metabolism‐related fly transcriptome data, we predicted and, then, experimentally confirmed that cold regulates triglyceride levels both inter‐ as well as trans‐generationally.
Targeting of CDKN1B by miR‐222‐3p may contribute to the development of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Liu Jianwei , Yu Jia , Jiang Weiping , He Maolin , Zhao Jinmin
Published: February 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non‐coding RNAs that can negatively regulate the expression of their complementary mRNA targets, and have been implicated in various pathophysiological processes. In this study, we examined the effect of miR‐222‐3p on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). We found that expression of miR‐222‐3p was significantly higher in IDD tissues than in normal intervertebral disc tissue, and report that overexpression of miR‐222‐3p remarkably increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. In addition, miR‐222‐3p promoted secretion of matrix metalloproteinase‐3, and decreased collagen type II and aggrecan production. Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) was identified as a direct target of negative regulation by miR‐222‐3p in NP cells, and expression of miR‐222‐3p was found to be negatively correlated with that of CDKN1B in IDD tissue. Finally, we observed that transfection with miR‐222‐3p dramatically reduced CDKN1B expression in NP cells. In conclusion, miR‐222‐3p may be involved in IDD development, possibly through targeting CDKN1B.
Antibacterial Mesoporous Titania Films with Embedded Gentamicin and Surface Modified with Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Promote Osseointegration in Bone Implants
Authors: Escobar Ane , Muzzio Nicolás , Coy Emerson , Liu Hui , Bindini Elisa , Andreozzi Patrizia , Wang Guocheng , Angelomé Paula , Delcea Mihaela , Grzelczak Marek , Moya Sergio E.
Published: February 2019

Novel approaches are needed to avoid bacterial infections following implant surgery. Here the use of mesoporous titania films (MTFs) for gentamicin loading and delivery and the surface functionalization of MFTs with human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hrBMP‐2) are discussed. Gentamicin is incorporated into the MTF pores by immersion of the porous materials in gentamicin solution while hrBMP‐2 is adsorbed on top of the MTF. Contact angle and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements are performed to prove gentamicin loading and hrBMP‐2 functionalization. An initial burst release of gentamicin takes place in physiological media followed by a prolonged release that lasts weeks. Such a release profile is highly appealing for bone implants where a high concentration of antibiotics is necessary during implant surgery while a lower antibiotic concentration is needed until tissue is regenerated. The MTFs loaded with gentamicin and functionalized with hrBMP‐2 are effective against Staphylococcus aureus colonization, and the presence of hrBMP‐2 enhances MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblastic cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation.
Dual Silicon Oxycarbide Accelerated Growth of Well‐Ordered Graphitic Networks for Electronic and Thermal Applications
Authors: Garman Paul D. , Johnson Jared M. , Talesara Vishank , Yang Hao , Du Xinpeng , Pan Junjie , Zhang Dan , Yu Jianfeng , Cabrera Eusebio , Yen Ying‐Chieh , Castro Jose , Lu Wu , Zhao Ji‐Cheng , Hwang Jinwoo , Lee L. James
Published: February 2019

While effective in circumventing the transfer process of graphene films from metals to insulating substrates, graphene chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods which grow directly on the surface of insulating substrates suffer from slow growth rates, lack of covalent bonding between both graphene layers within the film and the entire film and its substrate, and the inability to grow films beyond nanoscale thickness. An atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) process is described utilizing preplaced silicone rubber and continuously fed tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as dual silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) sources to facilitate fast surface coverage (30 s) and z‐thickness growth (136 nm min−1) of graphitic coatings consisting of a network of covalently bonded graphene layers directly on quartz while providing strong adhesion between the coating and the substrate via a semiconductive transition layer. This process can produce graphitic networks for a wide range of products including transparent conducting and semiconductive nanoscale graphene films, anisotropic micrometer‐scale coatings with in‐plane thermal conductivity >1000 W m−1 K−1 and standalone flakes with >40 µm thickness for thermal management applications.
The Role of Graphene in Enhancing the Material Properties of Thermosetting Polymers
Authors: Vassaux Maxime , Sinclair Robert C. , Richardson Robin A. , Suter James L. , Coveney Peter V.
Published: February 2019

Graphene continues to attract considerable attention from the materials science community through its potential for improving the mechanical properties of polymer thermosets, yet there remains considerable uncertainty over the underlying mechanisms. The effect of introducing graphene sheets to a typical thermosetting polymer network on mechanical behaviour is explored here through concurrently coupling molecular dynamics with a finite element solver. In this multiscale approach, Graphene is observed to act in two ways: as passive microscopic defects, dispersing crack propagation (high deformation); and as active geometric constraints, impeding polymer conformational changes (low deformation). By contrast, single‐scale atomistic simulations alone predict little measurable difference in the properties of the graphene‐enhanced epoxy resins as compared with the pure polymer case. The multiscale model predicts that epoxy resins reinforced with graphene nanoparticles exhibit enhanced overall elastoplastic properties, reducing strain energy dissipation by up to 70%. Importantly, this is only observed when taking into account the complex boundary conditions, mainly involving shear, arising from coupling physics on length scales separated by five orders of magnitude. The approach herein clearly highlights a novel role of graphene nanoparticles in actively constraining the surrounding polymer matrix, impeding local dissipative mechanisms, and resisting shear deformation.
Towards Solar Methanol: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Tountas Athanasios A. , Peng Xinyue , Tavasoli Alexandra V. , Duchesne Paul N. , Dingle Thomas L. , Dong Yuchan , Hurtado Lourdes , Mohan Abhinav , Sun Wei , Ulmer Ulrich , Wang Lu , Wood Thomas E. , Maravelias Christos T. , Sain Mohini M. , Ozin Geoffrey A.
Published: February 2019

This work aims to provide an overview of producing value‐added products affordably and sustainably from greenhouse gases (GHGs). Methanol (MeOH) is one such product, and is one of the most widely used chemicals, employed as a feedstock for ≈30% of industrial chemicals. The starting materials are analogous to those feeding natural processes: water, CO2, and light. Innovative technologies from this effort have global significance, as they allow GHG recycling, while providing society with a renewable carbon feedstock. Light, in the form of solar energy, assists the production process in some capacity. Various solar strategies of continually increasing technology readiness levels are compared to the commercial MeOH process, which uses a syngas feed derived from natural gas. These strategies include several key technologies, including solar‐thermochemical, photochemical, and photovoltaic–electrochemical. Other solar‐assisted technologies that are not yet commercial‐ready are also discussed. The commercial‐ready technologies are compared using a technoeconomic analysis, and the scalability of solar reactors is also discussed in the context of light‐incorporating catalyst architectures and designs. Finally, how MeOH compares against other prospective products is briefly discussed, as well as the viability of the most promising solar MeOH strategy in an international context.
Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) for the gastrointestinal tract: Updated indications
Authors: Hiki Naoki , Nunobe Souya
Published: February 2019

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) is a procedure combining laparoscopic gastric resection with endoscopic submucosal dissection for local resection of gastric tumors with appropriate, minimal surgical resection margins. The LECS concept was initially developed from the classical LECS procedure for gastric submucosal tumor resection. Many researchers reported that classical LECS was a safe and feasible technique for resection of gastric submucosal tumors, regardless of tumor location, including the esophagogastric junction. Recently, LECS was approved for insurance coverage by Japan's National Health Insurance plan and widely applied for gastric submucosal tumor resection. However, the limitations of classical LECS are the risk of abdominal infection, scattering of tumor cells in the abdominal cavity, and tumor cell seeding in the peritoneum. The development of modified LECS procedures, such as inverted‐LECS, non‐exposed endoscopic wall‐inversion surgery, a combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches to neoplasia with a non‐exposure technique, and closed‐LECS, has almost resolved these drawbacks. This has led to a recent increase in the indication of modified LECS to include patients with gastric epithelial neoplasms. The LECS concept is also beginning to be applied to tumor excision in other organs, such as the duodenum, colon and rectum. Further evolution of LECS procedures is expected in the future. Sentinel lymph node mapping could also be combined with LECS, resulting in a portion of early gastric cancers being treated by LECS with sentinel node mapping.
Divergent gene expression levels between diploid and autotetraploid Tolmiea relative to the total transcriptome, the cell, and biomass
Authors: Visger Clayton J. , Wong Gane K‐S. , Zhang Yong , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E.
Published: February 2019

Premise of the Study

Studies of gene expression and polyploidy are typically restricted to characterizing differences in transcript concentration. Using diploid and autotetraploid Tolmiea, we present an integrated approach for cross‐ploidy comparisons that account for differences in transcriptome size and cell density and make multiple comparisons of transcript abundance.

Methods

We use RNA spike‐in standards in concert with cell size and density to identify and correct for differences in transcriptome size and compare levels of gene expression across multiple scales: per transcriptome, per cell, and per biomass.

Key Results

In total, ~17% of all loci were identified as differentially expressed (DEGs) between the diploid and autopolyploid species. The per‐transcriptome normalization, the method researchers typically use, captured the fewest DEGs (58% of total DEGs) and failed to detect any DEGs not found by the alternative normalizations. When transcript abundance was normalized per biomass and per cell, ~66% and ~82% of the total DEGs were recovered, respectively. The discrepancy between per‐transcriptome and per‐cell recovery of DEGs occurs because per‐transcriptome normalizations are concentration‐based and therefore blind to differences in transcriptome size.

Conclusions

While each normalization enables valid comparisons at biologically relevant scales, a holistic comparison of multiple normalizations provides additional explanatory power not available from any single approach. Notably, autotetraploid loci tend to conserve diploid‐like transcript abundance per biomass through increased gene expression per cell, and these loci are enriched for photosynthesis‐related functions.
Repeated evolution of a morphological novelty: a phylogenetic analysis of the inflated fruiting calyx in the Physalideae tribe (Solanaceae)
Authors: Deanna Rocío , Larter Maximilian D. , Barboza Gloria E. , Smith Stacey D.
Published: February 2019

Premise of the Study

The evolution of novel fruit morphologies has been integral to the success of angiosperms. The inflated fruiting calyx, in which the balloon‐like calyx swells to completely surround the fruit, has evolved repeatedly across angiosperms and is postulated to aid in protection and dispersal. We investigated the evolution of this trait in the tomatillos and their allies (Physalideae, Solanaceae).

Methods

The Physalideae phylogeny was estimated using four regions (ITS, LEAFY, trnL‐F, waxy) with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference. Under the best‐fitting ML model of trait evolution, we estimated ancestral states along with the numbers of gains and losses of fruiting calyx accrescence and inflation with Bayesian stochastic mapping. Also, phylogenetic signal in calyx morphology was examined with two metrics (parsimony score and Fritz and Purvis's D).

Key Results

Based on our well‐resolved and densely sampled phylogeny, we infer that calyx evolution has proceeded in a stepwise and directional fashion, from non‐accrescent to accrescent to inflated. In total, we inferred 24 gains of accrescence, 24 subsequent transitions to a fully inflated calyx, and only two reversals. Despite this lability, fruiting calyx accrescence and inflation showed strong phylogenetic signal.

Conclusions

Our phylogeny greatly improves the resolution of Physalideae and highlights the need for taxonomic work. The comparative analyses reveal that the inflated fruiting calyx has evolved many times and that the trajectory toward this phenotype is generally stepwise and irreversible. These results provide a strong foundation for studying the genetic and developmental mechanisms responsible for the repeated origins of this charismatic fruit trait.
Perceptions of Community Norms and Youths’ Reactive and Proactive Dating and Sexual Violence Bystander Action
Authors: Rothman Emily F. , Edwards Katie M. , Rizzo Andrew J. , Kearns Megan , Banyard Victoria L.
Published: February 2019

There is enthusiasm for programs that promote bystander intervention to prevent dating and sexual violence (DSV). However, more information about what facilitates or inhibits bystander behavior in DSV situations is needed. The present cross‐sectional survey study investigated whether youth perceptions of adults’ behavior and community norms were associated with how frequently youth took action and intervened in DSV situations or to prevent DSV. Specifically, study hypotheses were that youths’ perceptions of community‐level variables, such as adults’ willingness to help victims of DSV or prevent DSV, perceptions of community collective efficacy, and perceptions of community descriptive and injunctive norms disapproving of DSV and supporting DSV prevention, would be associated with how frequently youths took reactive and proactive bystander action. Participants were 2172 students from four high schools in one New England state. ANOVA analyses found that descriptive norms were associated with all actionist behaviors, and perceptions of community cohesion were also consistently associated with them. Injunctive norms were associated, but less consistently, with actionist behaviors. Findings suggest that DSV‐related social norms, and descriptive norms and community cohesion in particular, might be relevant to youth DSV bystander behavior.
The mouse as a model of fundamental concepts related to Turner syndrome
Authors: Arnold Arthur P.
Published: February 2019

Although XO mice do not show many of the overt phenotypic features of Turner syndrome (TS; 45,X or XO), mice and humans share different classes of genes on the X chromosome that are more or less likely to cause TS phenotypes. Based on the evolutionary history of the sex chromosomes, and the pattern of dosage balancing among sex chromosomal and autosomal genes in functional gene networks, it is possible to prioritize types of X genes for study as potential causes of features of TS. For example, X‐Y gene pairs are among the most interesting because of the convergent effects of X and Y genes that both are likely to prevent the effects of TS in XX and XY individuals. Many of the high‐priority genes are shared by mouse and human X chromosomes, but are easier to study in genetically tractable mouse models. Several mouse models, used primarily for the study of sex differences in physiology and disease, also produce XO mice that can be investigated to understand the effects of X monosomy. Using these models will lead to the identification of specific X genes that make a difference when present in one or two copies. These studies will help to achieve a better appreciation of the contribution of these specific X genes to the syndromic features of TS.
Large ancestral effective population size explains the difficult phylogenetic placement of owl monkeys
Authors: Schrago Carlos G. , Seuánez Hector N.
Published: February 2019

The phylogenetic position of owl monkeys, grouped in the genus Aotus, has been a controversial issue for understanding Neotropical primate evolution. Explanations of the difficult phylogenetic assignment of owl monkeys have been elusive, frequently relying on insufficient data (stochastic error) or scenarios of rapid speciation (adaptive radiation) events. Using a coalescent‐based approach, we explored the population‐level mechanisms likely explaining these topological discrepancies. We examined the topological variance of 2,192 orthologous genes shared between representatives of the three major Cebidae lineages and the outgroup. By employing a methodological framework that allows for reticulated tree topologies, our analysis explicitly tested for non‐dichotomous evolutionary processes impacting the finding of the position of owl monkeys in the cebid phylogeny. Our findings indicated that Aotus is a sister lineage of the callitrichines. Most gene trees (>50%) failed to recover the species tree topology, although the distribution of gene trees mismatching the true species topology followed the standard expectation of the multispecies coalescent without reticulation. We showed that the large effective population size of the common ancestor of Aotus and callitrichines was the most likely factor responsible for generating phylogenetic uncertainty. On the other hand, fast speciation scenarios or introgression played minor roles. We propose that the difficult phylogenetic placement of Aotus is explained by population‐level processes associated with the large ancestral effective size. These results shed light on the biogeography of the early cebid diversification in the Miocene, highlighting the relevance of evaluating phylogenetic relationships employing population‐aware approaches.
Expanding our FoCUS: the utility of advanced echocardiography in the emergency department
Authors: Henry Jonathan , Haji Darsim
Published: February 2019

Point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) use is widespread amongst emergency physicians (EPs). Many sonographic modalities have proven useful in the emergency department (ED), including basic echocardiography. Progressing to more advanced echocardiography allows for improved accuracy when making time‐critical diagnoses and management decisions, particularly among the sickest patients. Acquisition of this skill set by EPs is feasible and enhances patient care.
SCN1A gain of function in early infantile encephalopathy
Authors: Berecki Géza , Bryson Alexander , Terhag Jan , Maljevic Snezana , Gazina Elena V. , Hill Sean L. , Petrou Steven
Published: February 2019

Objective

To elucidate the biophysical basis underlying the distinct and severe clinical presentation in patients with the recurrent missense SCN1A variant, p.Thr226Met. Patients with this variant show a well‐defined genotype–phenotype correlation and present with developmental and early infantile epileptic encephalopathy that is far more severe than typical SCN1A Dravet syndrome.

Methods

Whole cell patch clamp and dynamic action potential clamp were used to study T226M Nav1.1 channels expressed in mammalian cells. Computational modeling was used to explore the neuronal scale mechanisms that account for altered action potential firing.

Results

T226M channels exhibited hyperpolarizing shifts of the activation and inactivation curves and enhanced fast inactivation. Dynamic action potential clamp hybrid simulation showed that model neurons containing T226M conductance displayed a left shift in rheobase relative to control. At current stimulation levels that produced repetitive action potential firing in control model neurons, depolarization block and cessation of action potential firing occurred in T226M model neurons. Fully computationally simulated neuron models recapitulated the findings from dynamic action potential clamp and showed that heterozygous T226M models were also more susceptible to depolarization block.

Interpretation

From a biophysical perspective, the T226M mutation produces gain of function. Somewhat paradoxically, our data suggest that this gain of function would cause interneurons to more readily develop depolarization block. This “functional dominant negative” interaction would produce a more profound disinhibition than seen with haploinsufficiency that is typical of Dravet syndrome and could readily explain the more severe phenotype of patients with T226M mutation. Ann Neurol 2019;85:514–525
Control of unstable delayed recycling systems
Authors: Vazquez‐Guerra Rocio Jasmin , Marquez‐Rubio Juan Francisco , Novella‐Rodríguez David Fernando , Del Muro‐Cuéllar Basilio , Cortes‐Rodríguez Domingo
Published: February 2019

This work deals with the stabilization of recycling systems with unstable dynamics at both the direct and recycling paths as well as different time delays for each path. The main contribution of this work is to provide a stabilizing strategy of such class of systems using an observer‐based control approach. Stability results concerning stable recycling systems or partially unstable recycling system can be found in literature. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no stability results when unstable dynamics are considered in both paths of the recycling process. Necessary and sufficient stability conditions of the proposed stabilizing controllers are obtained from a frequency domain analysis.