bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
الذكاء الاجتماعي ودوره في بلورة القدرات الكامنة للافراد
Authors: رشيد اسيل زهير , سلطان سندية مروان
Published: December 2018

المستخلص

            تناول البحث مفاهيم معاصرة هي غاية في الأهمية لما لها من دور كبير في التأثير في عمل المنظمة، إذ حيث اعتمد الربط بين مفهومي الذكاء الاجتماعي والقدرات الكامنة ودور الأول في إظهار الثاني. واختبر البحث فرضياته في ثلاث مؤسسات صحية في مدينة الموصل مثلت مجتمع البحث هي (مستشفى السلام والمستشفى العام وابن الأثير)، أما عينة البحث فقد كانت قادة هذه المؤسسات والمتمثلين بالمديرين ورؤساء الأقسام. وافترض البحث وجود علاقتي ارتباط وتأثير معنويين بين المتغيرين، واستخدم لغرض قياس هذه المسألة عدد من الادوات الاحصائية المناسبة لتحليل البيانات المستحصلة من العينة وأخيراً توصل البحث الى عدد من الاستنتاجات من أهمها أن المهارات العلاقاتية بين الافراد والتي تتضمن الفهم الاجتماعي والمهارات الاجتماعية كانت قد حظيت بأهتمام شريحة واسعة من القادة الاداريين، مما يعني أن معظم القادة الاداريين تجسد لديهم الذكاء الاجتماعي من خلال هذه المهارات. كما اوصى البحث مجموعة من التوصيات التي تغني الحقل المذكور من أهمها ضرورة تفهم حقيقة ان الذكاء الاجتماعي هو عنصر حاسم في بناء الشخصية القيادية وبلورتها بما يضمن الوصول الى مستوى فاعل للقيادات الادارية وان تسعى المنظمات لجعل مستوى هذا الذكاء للفرد من الأولويات التي تؤهله لشغل المنصب الاداري والانتقال من مستوى اداري الى آخر.
مقارنه بين بعض طرائق التصنيف الخطية مع تطبيق عملي
Authors: شاهين حمزة اسماعيل
Published: December 2018

يعد تحليل التمييز الخطي والانحدار اللوجستي من أهم طرائق التحليل الإحصائي متعدد المتغيرات استخداماً في مجال تحليل البيانات المصنفه (Categorical data) واللذين يمكن عدهما تطويراً لنماذج التصنيف الخطية .ان استخدام تحليل التمييز الخطي يتطلب ان تكون بيانات المتغيرات التوضيحية ذات توزيع طبيعي متعدد المتغيرات.في حين الانحدار اللوجستي لايشترط ايه افتراضات تخص توزيع المتغيرات التوضيحيه، اذ يعد الانحدار اللوجستي أكثر مرونه وأكثر حصانه في حاله عدم تحقق الافتراضات الأساسية للتحليل التمييزي الخطي. في هذا البحث تم التركيز على أجراء مقارنات بين ثلاث صيغ لتصنيف بيانات تعود لمجموعتين في حاله متغير الاستجابة مؤلف من مستتويين ( تصنيفين) فقط ، الصيغه الأولى كانت دالة التمييز الخطي في حالة المجموعتيين تتبعان التوزيع الطبيعي متعدد المتغيرات والثانيه فكانت الصيغه الاحتماليه التي اشتقت كبديل لدالة التمييز الخطي ،اما الثالثة فكانت الصيغه الاحتمالية لنموذج الانحدار اللوجستي ثنائي الاستجابه وتمت المقارنة بين هذه الصيغ الثلاثة على وفق معيار احتمال خطأ التصنيف(Misclassification) . واثبتت النتائج ان التصنيف بحسب الصيغة الاحتمالية لنموذج الانحدار اللوجستي تعطي أقل احتمال لخطأ التصنيف من خلال التطبيق على بيانات تخص نوعين من امراض سرطان الدم( اللوكيميا) .
استخدام أسلوب القيمة المستحقة في الرقابة على تنفيذ	مشاريع البناء دراسة حالة
Authors: سعيد عبد السلام لفته , فرحان خالد صبيح
Published: December 2018

لاشك أن وظيفة الرقابة من الوظائف الإدارية المهمة التي تعتمد عليها إدارة المشاريع لمتابعة ومراقبة المشروع ,إذ أن الرقابة على المشروع تعد مكملة لوظيفة التخطيط في المشروع التي هي الأساس الذي تستند عليها الوظائف الإدارية من التخطيط والتنظيم والقيادة والرقابة. فبدون الرقابة على المشروع لا يمكن التأكد من أن خطة المشروع قد تم تنفيذها بشكل صحيح ضمن الموازنة الموضوعة والوقت المحدد في برنامج تقدم العمل , ولهذا تقوم إدارة المشروع بإتباع عدة طرائق أو أساليب رقابية لتحقيق أهداف المشروع المتمثلة بكلفة المشروع و وقت المشروع والمواصفات المطلوبة . ويعد أسلوب القيمة المستحقة احد الطرائق الرقابية في تنفيذ المشاريع من قبل الشركات العالمية المتطورة .

     وقد تم تطبيق أسلوب القيمة المستحقة في مشروع مبنى مجلس القضاء الأعلى الذي تم تنفيذه من قبل شركة المنصور العامة للمقاولات الإنشائية الذي استمر العمل فيه مدة ثلاث سنوات تقريبا من سنة 2010 ولغاية سنة 2012. إذ تم إعداد جداول القيمة المخططة والكلفة الفعلية والقيمة المستحقة لغرض الوصول إلى المؤشرات الرقابية لطريقة القيمة المستحقة وتلك المؤشرات:مؤشر تباين الكلفة ومؤشر أداء الكلفة ومؤشر تباين الجدولة ومؤشر أداء الجدولة التي من خلالها يمكن معرفة أداء المشروع من ناحية الكلفة والوقت وبهذا يتم تكامل الرقابة على الكلفة والوقت وهو الغاية المطلوبة لإدارة المشروع في تحقيق أهداف المشروع .وقد توصل البحث إلى مجموعة من الاستنتاجات أهما : عدم وجود ربط بين الرقابة على الكلفة والرقابة على وقت المشروع , وإنما توجد رقابة منفصلة للكلفة ورقابة منفصلة للوقت . أن تكون التقديرات الأولية لكلفة تنفيذ الأعمال (الموازنة ) دقيقة , ومطابقة للواقع السعري السائد في الأسواق المحلية , وتحديد نسب انجاز العمل الفعلية بدقة من قبل إدارة المشروع وعدم المبالغة فيها. واهم التوصيات هي تطبيق طريقة القيمة المستحقة في الرقابة على المشروع في احد المشاريع الجديدة في شركة المنصور العامة ,وتدريب كادر من المهندسين والمحاسبين في الشركة على استخدام طريقة القيمة المستحقة في الرقابة على المشروع.
تخطيط الاحتياجات من المواد (MRP) لمنتج السخان الكهربائي باستعمال برمجة الاهداف بحث تطبيقي في الشركة العامة للصناعات الكهربائية
Authors: خلف وقاص سعد , عبد الوهاب نادية لطفي , سلمان منال داود
Published: December 2018

يعد نظام تخطيط الاحتياجات من المواد(MRP) من أنظمة التخطيط والسيطرة على الانتاج والمخزون الذي يستعمل لإعداد خطة الاحتياجات للمنتجات النهائية واجزائها من المكونات الفرعية والمواد الاولية وأوقات الحاجة لها بهدف إعداد اوامر الانتاج أو الشراء.

  تتمثل مشكلة البحث في اعتماد الشركة العامة للصناعات الكهربائية على الطرائق التقليدية والخبرة الشخصية لعملية تحديد الكميات المنتجة و/او المشتراة والكميات المخزونة وتحديد الاوقات اللازمة للحصول على الكميات المطلوبة من المواد والاجزاء الداخلة في المنتج النهائي للشركة، فضلا عن تعدد الاهداف للشركة والتي تسعى الى تحقيقها وفق اهميتها في آن واحد أوجَبَ استعمال اسلوب برمجة الاهداف لبناء إنموذج رياضي متعدد الاهداف لتخطيط الاحتياجات من المواد لمنتج السخان الكهربائي كعينة للبحث في الشركة العامة للصناعات الكهربائية في الوزيرية، وقد حُددت فترة التخطيط للمنتج بثلاثة اشهر لسنة 2012 وهي (تموز، آب، ايلول)، واستُعمِل في حل الإنموذج والحصول على النتائج البرنامج الجاهز (LINGO-Ver.13). يكتسب الإنموذج اهميته من خلال امكانية تطبيقه في اي شركة او مصنع انتاجي بعد اجراء تعديلات بسيطة عليه، وتوصل البحث الى استنتاجات اهمها اعتبار برمجة الاهداف من أفضل الطرائق الكفء في علم الإدارة للتعامل مع الأهداف المتعددة و/أو المتعارضة، واستنادا الى استنتاجات البحث فقد وضعت توصيات اهمها التوسع في تطبيق الطرائق الرياضية عند التخطيط لاتخاذ القرار، بدلا من الأساليب التقليدية لما توفره من إمكانات علمية جيدة في السيطرة على ظروف وقيود القرار وبما يحقق أفضل النتائج في ظل الموارد المتاحة.
الاستجابةلإخفاقات تسويق الخدمة
Authors: الكعبي نعمه شلبيه
Published: December 2018

بسبب التغييرات الهائله في بيئة الاعمال والنمو الكبير في مستويات المعيشه زاد الطلب على الخدمات بشكل عام وازاء ذلك ادرك الممارسين في حقل الخدمه ان استراتيجيات التسويق التقليديه والنماذج الاداريه التي تستند الى حلول احاديه كالسعر وحده لا تقود الى نتائج مرغوبه لدى الزبائن وحتى المنظمات كما انها لا تطبق دائما لصناعة خدماتهم الفريده .لذلك اصبحت الحاجه لمعرفة تسويق الخدمه امراً واضحاً وحرجاً لتجنب حالات الاخفاق في الخدمه كما أن التسويق المستند الى المعرفه سيجنب المنظمه ذلك الاخفاق في تسليم الخدمه ويعزز الاستجابه المطلوبه لاصلاحها في الوقت المناسب واحتواء حالات الفشل مما يؤدي الى الارتقاء بالعلاقه مع الزبون.

وعلى هذا الاساس تجسد الهدف الرئيسي لهذا البحث  في اعطاء صوره واضحه عن الاخفاق في تسويق خدمة صيانة سيارات (كيا) و(هيونداي) والاستجابه وخيارات الزبائن بتقديم شكوى من عدمها في حالات الاخفاق التي تحصل.اعتمد الباحث المنهج الوصفي التحليلي في هذا البحث وجرى استخدام استمارة استبانه(صممت في ضوء دراسات سابقه وتمت صياغة واختبار المقياس بموجب اساليب علميه واحصائيه ) لاعراض جمع البيانات من عينة البحث التي قوامها  (٦٠) فردا من الحائزين على سيارات الشركات المذكوره توزعت بواقع (٣٠) فردا لكل مركز صيانه تابع لكل شركه في بغداد جرى اختيارهم بطريقه عشوائيه.جرت عملية معالجة البيانات بالاساليب الاحصائيه وباستخدام نظام spss المحوسب وكانت ابرز النتائج التي خرج بها البحث ضعف ابعاد تسليم الخدمه والتي تشمل  الدليل المادي وسلوك العاملين الذين يمثلان اسباب جوهريه لاخفاق خدمة صيانة السيارات فضلاً عن ضعف الاستجابه لشكاوى الزبائن و ما يتطلب من الشركات موضوعة البحث زج العاملين في برامج تدريب وتأهيل بهدف تحسين التعامل مع الزبائن واشباع حاجاتهم ورغباتهم وتوفير تسهيلات المكان والراحه وفض الازدحام على تسليم الخدمه.
دراسة مقارنة لأسلوبي kriging و Co – kriging المتعدد المتغيرات على محصول الشعير في العراق
Authors: محمد جعفر موسى
Published: December 2018

يتناول هذا البحث عملية التنبؤ عن العملية العشوائية المكانية للبيانات ذات الخاصيتين ،  الأولى تسمى بالمتغيرات الأولية  Primary variable والثانية تسمى بالمتغيرات الثانوية  secondary variable وان من  الأساليب التي تم استخدامها في عملية التنبؤ لهذا نوع من  البيانات أسلوب     Co-kriging ، والأسلوب يستخدم عادة عندما يكون عدد المتغيرات الأولية والمراد التنبؤ عن احد عناصرها غير المقيسة في موقع معين قليلة (وذلك بسبب التكلفة أو صعوبة الحصول عليها) مقارنة مع المتغير الثانوي الذي يكون عدد عناصره كثيرة ومتوفرة وذات ارتباط عالي مع المتغيرات الأولية ، كما وتم تطبيق عملية التنبؤ بأسلوب kriging على المتغيرات الأولية فقط وذلك للمقارنة بين نتيجة التنبؤ باستخدام أسلوبي C0-kriging و kriging  لمعرفة الأسلوب الأفضل لمثل تلك الحالات .
الأشرطة التنظيمية الحمراء وانعكاساتها على التوجه الريادي: دراسة استطلاعية لاراء عينة من العاملين في بعض منظمات محافظة نينوى
Authors: خليف سلطان احمد , جميل خالد محمد
Published: December 2018

تعتمد المنظمات مجموعة من الإجراءات والتعليمات في ميدان عملها, وبما يمهد لها السبيل لتوظيف مواردها وطاقاتها خدمة لتوجهاتها الريادية, وهذا يستلزم منها استحضار مجموعة من الآليات المساهمة في التخفيف من حدة الإجراءات وتعقيدها. إذ أن غموض الإجراءات وشدة تعقدها يعني إقرار حالات الهدر والضياع في طاقاتها وتبدد آمالها ومن ثم إضعاف حماسها وإمكانية استمرارها في تحقيق الإبداع, ومن ثم فقدان الفرص إلى درجة الاستسلام للمخاطر والأخذ بها كقيود لا يمكن خرقها.

عليه عمد الباحثان إلى تأشير مشكلة دراستهما في إطار تساؤل مفاده: هل تعد الأشرطة التنظيمية الحمراء ذات الصبغة التعقيدية عاملا محددا لعملية التوجه الريادي في المنظمات قيد الدراسة؟.

وقد اعتمدت الدراسة الاستبانة بوصفها الأداة الرئيسة في جمع البيانات الخاصة بالظاهرة قيد الدراسة,  واستعان الباحثان بعدد من الأدوات الإحصائية(النسب والتكرارات والوسط الحسابي والانحراف المعياري والارتباط والانحدار).

وتوصلت الدراسة إلى استنتاج رئيس مفاده وجود علاقة ارتباط وأثر بين الأشرطة التنظيمية الحمراء وبين التوجه الريادي المنظمات عينة الدراسة كما خلصت إلى تقديم مجموعة من المقترحات
The monitoring of pitting corrosion in stainless steel in the simulated corrosive conditions of marine applications
Authors: Chowwanonthapunya Thee
Published: December 2018

This paper describes the monitoring of pitting corrosion in ferritic and austenitic stainless steel under the simulated acidic conditions of marine applications. The monitoring dealt with corrosion weight loss and metallurgical investigation. The results indicated that stainless steel with passive film shows good corrosion resistance to the simulated corrosive environment for all test periods. In contrast, stainless steel without passive film cannot provide an inhibiting effect for the whole test period. After 24 h. of testing, both of the stainless steels were locally attacked. Pitting corrosion was observed on the surface of both stainless steels. In small pits, self-accelerating corrosion can occur. Therefore, longer immersion times were attributed to the higher corrosion rates of both stainless steel in simulated acidic conditions.
Perfil de idosos do municí­pio de Itaúna/MG e influência da atividade fí­sica na dor crônica e na capacidade funcional
Authors: Coelho Marlete Aparecida Gonçalves Melo
Published: December 2018

A atividade fí­sica constitui um meio que auxilia na prevenção e tratamento de várias doenças. Os objetivos do estudo foram traçar o perfil sociodemográfico e clí­nico dos idosos comunitários praticantes e não praticantes de atividade fí­sica e verificar a influência da atividade fí­sica na intensidade da dor crônica e na capacidade funcional desses indiví­duos. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 48 idosos portadores de dor crônica no municí­pio de Itaúna/MG, divididos em dois grupos: praticantes de atividade fí­sica (F) não praticantes (NF). Os idosos foram submetidos ao Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, a um questionário sociodemográfico e clí­nico, í  Escala de Depressão Geriátrica Abreviada (GDS); í  Escala Visual Analógica de Dor, ao Questionário da Avaliação da Saúde (HAQ) e ao Teste de Desempenho Fí­sico Modificado (TDFM). Os dados obtidos confirmaram que a prática de atividade fí­sica diminui as queixas de dor crônica, melhorando a capacidade funcional do idoso e, possivelmente, a convivência social do indiví­duo idoso. Confirmaram também a feminização da população idosa no Brasil, a grande prevalência de sintomas depressivos e a complexidade da dor crônica a qual interfere desfavoravelmente na qualidade de vida do idoso.Palavras-chave: envelhecimento, dor crônica, atividade fí­sica, capacidade funcional.
Influência do tabagismo ativo e passivo sobre a capacidade cardiorrespiratória
Authors: De Borba Andresa Thier
Published: December 2018

Os danos advindos do tabagismo ativo estão bem estabelecidos, destacando-se o prejuí­zo na aptidão cardiorrespiratória, acentuada redução do condicionamento aeróbico e alteração da função cardiovascular. Além disso, o tabaco tem alto conteúdo de monóxido de carbono, o que resulta em prejuí­zo na hematose e na oferta de oxigênio (O2) í  musculatura periférica e respiratória. Entretanto, quanto ao tabagismo passivo, pouco se sabe a respeito dos seus efeitos sobre a aptidão funcional avaliada através do teste de exercí­cio cardiopulmonar. Assim, a presente revisão sumariza informações a respeito da influência do tabagismo ativo e passivo sobre a capacidade cardiorrespiratória, sendo realizada busca de artigos cientí­ficos nos principais bancos de dados utilizados na área de saúde, como Pubmed, Bireme e Scielo, bem como em livros didáticos da biblioteca da Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC). Considerando as publicações analisadas, torna-se indubitável os efeitos danosos do fumo ativo e passivo sobre a função respiratória e cardiovascular. Tal estudo faz-se importante, pois alerta para os malefí­cios do tabagismo ativo e passivo, podendo contribuir para o planejamento de ações de saúde, direcionando iniciativas de polí­ticas públicas para a prevenção e cessação do tabagismo.Palavras-chave: tabagismo, doenças cardiovasculares, consumo de oxigênio, teste de esforço.
Efeito da realidade virtual na recuperação da função motora do membro superior em paciente com AVC crônico
Authors: Rosa Glória Maria Moraes Vianna
Published: December 2018

A terapêutica através do ambiente virtual tem sido cada vez mais implementada e estudada. Este estudo de caso tem por objetivo verificar o efeito do treinamento através da realidade virtual na recuperação do membro superior de um indiví­duo com acidente vascular cerebral crônico. Para mensuração e posterior avaliação dos resultados, foram realizados os testes de Função Motora de Wolf (TFMW) e o Protocolo de Desempenho Fí­sico de Fugl-Meyer (PDFFM). O paciente foi submetido a um protocolo de tratamento utilizando jogos em realidade virtual com o Nintendo-Wii® durante 10 sessões, 2 vezes por semana com duração de 30 minutos cada. O tempo de tratamento foi de 10 minutos para cada jogo com intervalo de 5 minutos entre eles. O paciente apresentou melhora na destreza do membro superior parético mensurada pelo TFMW e melhora da função motora mensurada pelo PDFFM. O cálculo do Índice de Efetividade em relação í  subescala de função motora do PDFFM apontou melhora de 55%. A partir desses resultados, observou-se que o sistema de jogo Nintendo-Wii® pode promover melhora da destreza e função motora do membro superior parético de paciente com AVC crônico, parecendo ser um bom aliado no tratamento fisioterapêutico.Palavras-chave: acidente vascular cerebral, extremidade superior, paresia, fisioterapia,Â
Prevalência de dor em adolescentes escolares
Authors: Alonso Angelica Castilho
Published: December 2018

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência de dores musculoesqueléticas em adolescentes escolares. Participaram da pesquisa 487 adolescentes de ambos os gêneros, (288 gênero feminino e 199 gênero masculino), com idade entre 14 e 18 anos de uma escola da zona leste da cidade de São Paulo. A pesquisa baseou-se no Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares e composta por 12 perguntas. A prevalência de dor em adolescentes foi grande (71,7% do total), sendo a região cervical mais afetada. O grupo feminino referiu mais dor (80%), prevalecendo a região cervical (11,2%), região dorsal (8,5%) e ombro direito (7,6%). Afirmam que a dor não interfere em suas atividades cotidianas e não são deflagradas por nenhuma situação ou atividade em especial. A maioria delas sente dor durante a realização das atividades do dia a dia (30,7%), quando estão em pé (41,3%) e acreditam que a postura inadequada seja a principal causa (33,8%). Apenas 59 (25,7%) procuram assistência médica e somente 8,7% foi encaminhada a fisioterapia. No grupo masculino, 60% referem sentir dor, a área mais acometida são os joelhos (direito 11,6% e esquerdo 11,1%), a região dorsal (9,7%) e quadril e/ou coxa direito (8,3%). A maioria costuma sentir dor durante a prática de atividade fí­sica (33,5%); quando estão em pé (46,5%) e acreditam que a postura inadequada seja a principal causa de dor (30,4%). Apenas (24,4%) deles procuraram assistência médica e somente 5% foram encaminhadas para a fisioterapia.Palavras-chave: prevalência, dor, adolescentes.
Efeitos de um programa de exercí­cios na mobilidade, equilí­brio e cognição de idosos com doença de Alzheimer
Authors: Ferretti Fátima
Published: December 2018

Introdução: O Alzheimer é uma doença demencial e neurodegenerativa que compromete a integridade fí­sica, mental e social dos pacientes. As alterações provenientes desta patologia incluem a perda de memória em curto prazo, dificuldade na fluência verbal, funções cognitivas e destreza para manusear objetos e ferramentas. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos de um programa de exercí­cios de força e equilí­brio na mobilidade, equilí­brio e cognitivo de idosos com Alzheimer. Material e métodos: A pesquisa foi realizada com 12 indiví­duos com idade entre 65 e 85 anos, divididos em Grupo Controle (GC) e Grupo Experimental (GE). Ambos os grupos foram avaliados no iní­cio e ao final das seis semanas de intervenção. O GE desenvolveu um protocolo de exercí­cios de força e equilí­brio, e o GC recebeu orientações domiciliares. Resultados: O GE apresentou melhora nas variáveis equilí­brio e mobilidade e o GC apresentou declí­nio em ambas as variáveis. Conclusão: Idosos com DA ao praticar exercí­cios fí­sicos apresentam uma redução no risco de quedas quando comparados aos idosos não praticantes. Os protocolos de exercí­cios de força e equilí­brio são importantes tratamentos não farmacológicos que melhoram a mobilidade e equilí­brio, interferindo positivamente na independência funcional de idosos com Alzheimer.Palavras-chave: idosos, doença de Alzheimer, Fisioterapia.Â
Presença de lesões elementares e cuidados com a pele em idosos
Authors: Pereira Vilar Lorena Maria Brito Neves
Published: December 2018

Introdução: O envelhecimento populacional representa um dos maiores triunfos da humanidade. No entanto, o envelhecimento pode ocasionar alterações sistêmicas, dentre estas, mudanças produzidas no aspecto da pele, diminuição da sua funcionalidade, e maior predisposição ao desenvolvimento de patologias. Alterações estas que podem contribuir para o comprometimento da qualidade de vida da população que envelhece. Objetivo: Identificar lesões elementares existentes na pele dos idosos que participam de um grupo e seus cuidados com a pele. Material e métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo quantitativo de caráter descritivo, realizado com 27 idosos que participam de um grupo de convivência. Como instrumento de coleta de dados foi utilizado uma ficha de avaliação facial e questionário. Resultados: Observou-se que 93% apresentavam algum tipo de lesão elementar, principalmente manchas (92%), pápulas (30%) e erosão (15%). Com relação aos cuidados adotados com a pele, foi verificado que a maioria (56%) da amostra utilizava protetor solar e hidratante. Apenas 19% utilizavam cosméticos e 7% de cosmecêuticos. Conclusão: Com o desenvolvimento do presente estudo, foi observado que a maioria dos idosos apresentava um ou mais tipos de lesões elementares, o que ressalta a necessidade de ampliar os conhecimentos cientí­ficos, em dermatofuncional dos profissionais, voltados ao tratamento e cuidado do idoso. Os dados evidenciam, também, a necessidade de maior planejamento de ações preventivas e educativas, no sentindo de adotar cuidados com a pele, evitando o aparecimento de lesões, contribuindo, assim, para um envelhecimento cutâneo saudável. Vale ressaltar, ainda, a necessidade do aprimoramento de polí­ticas públicas voltadas í  detecção precoce e tratamento de agravos, e promoção da saúde dos idosos, visando um envelhecimento ativo, saudável e com qualidade de vida.Palavras-chave: idoso, pele, Fisioterapia.
Marcadores bioquí­micos no diagnóstico da lesão muscular
Authors: Mello Natália Ferraz , Vichetti Janne Claia , Vendrusculo Alecsandra Pinheiro
Published: December 2018

O exercí­cio fí­sico vem sendo evidenciado, pois proporciona significativos benefí­cios para a saúde, porém a realização sem orientação pode aumentar a suscetibilidade a lesões. Recentemente, pesquisadores têm avaliado diferentes tipos de marcadores bioquí­micos a fim de compreender os mecanismos envolvidos no desencadeamento de uma lesão musculoesquelética. Por esse motivo, faz-se necessário revisar a utilização de marcadores bioquí­micos como instrumentos no diagnóstico da lesão, a fim de reconhecer quais são os marcadores mais utilizados atualmente. O levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado nos bancos de dados Lilacs, Medline, Pubmed e Scielo. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos que relatavam a utilização de marcadores bioquí­micos para diagnosticar lesões, idiomas inglês e português, anos de publicação de 2007 a 2013. Após a busca, foram selecionados 16 estudos para a análise. É possí­vel concluir que o marcador mais utilizado é a Creatina Kinase (CK) e seu comportamento pode variar em diversos fatores, porém associação de biomarcadores demonstra ser mais eficiente. Por fim os marcadores bioquí­micos são utilizados principalmente para a área desportiva, pois permitem diagnóstico precoce.Palavras-chave: exercí­cio fí­sico, lesão muscular, biomarcadores.Â
Avaliação comparativa da técnica de lipocavitação focalizada no tratamento de lipodistrofia localizada
Authors: Toscan Nicole Fogaça , Zanol Franciele Maria
Published: December 2018

A lipodistrofia localizada representa uma das principais condições inestéticas responsáveis pela insatisfação de parte da população que tem como preocupação sua autoimagem. No âmbito da Biomedicina Estética, diversos procedimentos que visam í  redução da adiposidade localizada são oferecidos e, entre as abordagens não invasivas mais promissoras, destaca-se o ultrassom focalizado de alta intensidade (HIFU) que utiliza altas intensidades de energia para promover a destruição de adipócitos, com consequente redução da espessura do tecido subcutâneo. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar a eficiência da técnica de lipocavitação focalizada na destruição de células adipocitárias por meio de análises histológicas qualitativas e quantitativas de fragmentos de tecido suí­no, além de avaliar os danos teciduais e celulares causados após a exposição desses tecidos ao ultrassom focalizado de alta intensidade às estruturas adjacentes. Foram empregados nesse estudo dois equipamentos de marcas distintas, Lipofocus (Bioset) e Liposoon (Tonederm), mas que apresentam a mesma tecnologia HIFU. As análises qualitativas e quantitativas das lâminas histológicas demonstraram que houve uma redução significativa do número de adipócitos em comparação com as amostras-controle, com preservação da integridade de estruturas circunvizinhas.Palavras-chave: lipodistrofia localizada, ultrassom focalizado de alta intensidade (HIFU), adipócitos, Biomedicina Estética.
Treino do passo e da marcha com estimulação auditiva rí­tmica na doença de Parkinson: um ensaio clí­nico randomizado piloto
Authors: Da Silva Renato Alves , Gondim Ihana Thaí­s Guerra de Oliveira , De Souza Caroline de Cássia Batista , Da Silva Kássia Maria Clemente , Da Silva Liliane Pereira , Coriolano Maria das Graças Wanderley de Sales
Published: December 2018

Introdução: Estudos têm evidenciado que estí­mulos sensoriais podem ser utilizados para adequação da marcha de indiví­duos com doença de Parkinson. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do treino do passo e da marcha associados í  estimulação auditiva rí­tmica sobre a marcha e mobilidade funcional na doença de Parkinson. Métodos: Ensaio clí­nico randomizado piloto. Os indiví­duos foram randomicamente alocados em dois grupos e ambos receberam como intervenção nove exercí­cios. O grupo com estimulação auditiva rí­tmica (GEAR) executou o treino do passo e da marcha com a estimulação auditiva rí­tmica, enquanto o grupo controle (GC), sem o estí­mulo. Os indiví­duos foram avaliados pelo Teste de caminhada de 10 metros (TC10m) e o Timed Up & go (TUG). Resultados: O GEAR apresentou redução do tempo no TUG (diferença de média DM= -0,27; intervalo de confiança IC 95% 4,12-4,65) e no TC10m (DM = -0,53; IC 95% 1,76-2,81), maior velocidade (DM= 0,14; IC 95% 0,44-0,72) e cadência (DM= 0,12; IC 95% 0,19-0,43) no TC10m. Não houve diferença significativa com o teste T pareado em nenhum parâmetro (p>0,05). Conclusão: Considerando as limitações, não é possí­vel inferir que a estimulação auditiva rí­tmica adicionada aos treinos propiciou melhores resultados que a realização dos treinos isoladamente, entretanto, a análise pareada no GEAR sugere que esta estratégia pode ser promissora, necessitando mais investigações.Palavras-chave: doença de Parkinson, estimulação acústica, música, marcha, limitação da mobilidade.Â
Efeitos do laser de baixa intensidade HeNe sobre a atividade eletrográfica do músculo gastrocnêmio de ratos Wistar submetidos í lesão do nervo ciático
Authors: André Edison Sanfelice
Published: December 2018

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do laser de baixa intensidade HeNe sobre a regeneração nervosa periférica em ratos Wistar, submetidos í  lesão por esmagamento do nervo ciático, utilizando como instrumento de investigação a eletromiografia (EMG) do músculo gastrocnêmio. Foram utilizados 8 ratos, divididos em grupo controle (não irradiado pelo laser) e um grupo irradiado diariamente, durante 28 dias. Os registros do EMG foram efetuados no perí­odo pré-operatório, e no 1o, 7o, 14o, 21o, e 28o dia pós-operatório. As aplicações diárias de laser (28 dias consecutivos) foram iniciadas no 1o dia pós-operatório, através da técnica pontual com uma dose de 9 J/cm2. Como resultado, observou-se que as médias espectrais das potências das freqüências do EMG do grupo irradiado mostraram-se menores se comparadas ao grupo controle, além de apresentar maior organização e homogeneidade dos potenciais musculares analisados, indicando maior capacidade de regeneração nervosa periférica. Resultados significantes também foram observados na comparação das potências, segmentadas por bandas de freqüência, entre o perí­odo pré-lesão e os dias pós-lesão do grupo controle e do grupo irradiado, quando o animal encontrava-se andando. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o laser de baixa intensidade favoreceu o processo de regeneração nervosa periférica, comprovando que, juntamente aos dados histológicos e funcionais da marcha obtidos previamente, o laser de baixa intensidade é capaz de acelerar o processo de regeneração do nervo ciático após axoniotmese em ratos Wistar.Palavras-chave: sistema nervoso periférico, eletromiografia, laser de baixa intensidade, regeneração nervosa periférica, nervo ciático.Â
O papel da crioterapia na inï¬‚amação e edema
Authors: Chaves Maria Emí­lia de Abreu
Published: December 2018

Crioterapia, ou terapia com frio, é um método muito utilizado em traumas músculo-esqueléticos, pós-operatório, dor miofascial, espasmo muscular, espasticidade e condições inflamatórias. Diversas técnicas de crioterapia são aplicadas, entretanto, seu uso é realizado de forma indiscriminada. Apesar da maioria dos trabalhos na literatura apontar efeitos satisfatórios do uso do frio, ainda existem controvérsias em relação í  real eficácia desse recurso, principalmente relacionadas í  inflamação e ao edema. Este estudo teve como objetivo buscar fundamentações cientí­ficas que possam ajudar a esclarecer o papel da crioterapia no edema traumático, a fim de que o profissional de reabilitação possa utilizar essa modalidade com melhor embasamento cientí­fico. Para a realização deste trabalho, foi feita uma pesquisa documental de artigos cientí­ficos em revistas, jornais e sites, além de um levantamento bibliográfico em livros relacionados ao temaem questão. Existemevidências dos efeitos positivos da crioterapia no controle do edema. Entretanto, determinados trabalhos apontaram efeitos insatisfatórios. Vale a pena salientar que as disparidades observadas nesses estudos se devem ao fato de que, muitas vezes, a aplicação da crioterapia é feita de forma inadequada, gerando assim, conclusões precipitadas. Com base nesta revisão bibliográfica, sugere-se que a crioterapia é um recurso eficaz quando aplicado imediatamente ao trauma.Palavras-chave: lesão, inflamação, edema, crioterapia.
Prevalência de lombalgia em praticantes de musculação
Authors: Pinto Sergio Medeiros
Published: December 2018

O propósito deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de dor lombar entre praticantes de musculação, bem como estratificar aqueles que acusam este sintoma quanto ao grau de intensidade da dor (severa, moderada e suave). A amostra foi composta de 260 indiví­duos do sexo masculino, com idade média de 27,6 anos (± 6,8), praticantes de musculação em academias do bairro do Méier do Rio de Janeiro. O estudo é do tipo descritivo transversal e utilizou como variável discricionária a presença de dor lombar. Os dados foram coletados através do Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale. Como resultado, encontramos que a prevalência de lombalgia entre os participantes foi de 47,3% (n = 123), variando quanto í  sua intensidade entre suave (39,8% dos praticantes), moderada (51,2%), severa (8,9%) e apresentando mensalmente (36,6%) as maiores freqüências de queixa da dor. Entre aqueles que alegaram sentir dor 57,7 % disseram não sentir dor enquanto praticam musculação. Outro dado importante revela que 68,3% dos que sentem dor não perderam nenhum dia de trabalho devido a esta algia.Palavras-chave: musculação, prevalência, lombalgia.Â
A Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Water-Soluble, Patchy Fe3O4-Au Nanoparticles for Application in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Klein Stefanie , Hübner Jakob , Menter Christina , Distel Luitpold V. R. , Neuhuber Winfried , Kryschi Carola
Published: December 2018

A facile one-pot synthesis route for the preparation of water-soluble, biocompatible patchy Fe3O4-Au nanoparticles (Fe3O4-Au pNPs) was developed. Biocompatibility was attained through surface functionalization with 1-methyl-3-(dodecylphosphonic acid) imidazolium bromide. The morphology, composition, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the Fe3O4-Au pNPs were investigated by conducting experiments with transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and superconducting quantum interference device, respectively. Internalization of the Fe3O4-Au pNPs by MCF-7 cells occurred via endocytosis. The performance of the Fe3O4-Au pNPs as X-ray radiosensitizer in tumor cells was compared with that of gold nanocluster and Fe3O4 NPs. For this reason, MCF-7, A549 and MCF-10A cells were loaded with the respective kind of nanoparticles and treated with X-rays at doses of 1, 2 or 3 Gy. The nanoparticle-induced changes of the concentration of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using specific assays, and the cell survival under X-ray exposure was assessed employing the clonogenic assay. In comparison with the gold nanocluster and Fe3O4 NPs, the Fe3O4-Au pNPs exhibited the highest catalytic capacity for ROS generation in MCF-7 and A549 cells, whereas in the X-ray-induced ROS formation in healthy MCF-10A cells was hardly enhanced by the Fe3O4 NPs and Fe3O4-Au pNPs. Moreover, the excellent performance of Fe3O4-Au pNPs as X-ray radiosensitizers was verified by the quickly decaying radiation dose survival curve of the nanoparticle-loaded MCF-7 and A549 cells and corroborated by the small values of the associated dose-modifying factors.
Degradation of Diallyl Phthalate (DAP) by Fenton Oxidation: Mechanistic and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Dbira Sondos , Bensalah Nasr , Zagho Moustafa M. , Bedoui Ahmed
Published: December 2018

In this work, the degradation and mineralization of Diallyl Phthalate (DAP) in water by Fenton oxidation was investigated. The effects of different experimental parameters including the initial pH, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dose, the catalyst (Fe2+) dose, the iron source, and the DAP concentration on the rate and the yield of DAP degradation by Fenton oxidation were evaluated. DAP and its intermediates were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and the measurement of total organic carbon (TOC) during Fenton oxidation. The results obtained confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (HO•) generated from Fenton’s reaction were capable of completely eliminating DAP from water. Fenton oxidation of 100 mg/L DAP aqueous solution at pH = 3.2 required 1000 mg/L H2O2 and 50 mg/L Fe2+. Under these conditions, more than TOC removal exceeded 95% after 300 min Fenton oxidation. The competition kinetics method was used to determine an absolute rate constant of 7.26.109 M−1 s−1 for the reaction between DAP and HO• radicals. HPLC analysis showed that phthalic acid, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, maleic acid, formic acid and oxalic acid were the main intermediates formed during DAP degradation. Accordingly, a simple DAP degradation mechanism by the Fenton reaction was proposed. These promising results proved the potential of Fenton oxidation as a cost-effective method for the decontamination of wastewaters containing phthalates.
Bearing Capacity Model of Corroded RC Eccentric Compression Columns Based on Hermite Interpolation and Fourier Fitting
Authors: Xin Jingzhou , Zhou Jianting , Zhou Fengbin , Yang Simon X. , Zhou Yi
Published: December 2018

With an extension in service years, bridges inevitably suffer from performance deterioration. Columns are the main components of bridge structures, which support the superstructure. The damage of pier columns is often more harmful to bridges than that of other components. To accurately evaluate the time-varying characteristics of corroded columns, this paper proposes a new model for the bearing capacity evaluation of deteriorated reinforced concrete (RC) eccentric compression columns based on the Hermite interpolation and Fourier function. Firstly, the axial compression point, the pure bending point and the balanced failure point were selected as the basic points, and the deteriorated strength of these basic points was calculated by considering factors such as concrete cracking, reduction of reinforcement area, buckling of the steel bar, bond slip and strength reduction of confined concrete. After that, the interpolation points were generated by a piecewise cubic Hermite interpolating polynomial, and the explicit expression of the interpolation points fitting function was realized by the trigonometric Fourier series model. Finally, comparison studies based on measured data from forty-five corroded RC eccentric compression columns were conducted to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. The results show that: (1) the prediction results for bearing capacity of corroded RC columns are in good agreement with the measured data, with the average ratio of predicted results to test results at 1.06 and the standard deviation at 0.14; (2) the proposed model unifies the three stress states of axial compression, eccentric compression and pure bending, and is consistent with the continuum mechanics characteristics; (3) the decrements of axial load carrying capacity for 10% and 50% of the corrosion rate are 31.4% and 45.2%, while in flexure they are 25.4% and 77.4%, respectively; and (4) the test data of small-scale specimens may overestimate the negative effect of corrosion on the bearing capacity of actual structures. The findings in this paper could lay a solid starting point for structural life prediction technologies based on nondestructive testing.
Analysis and Optimized Design of Metamaterials for Mid-Range Wireless Power Transfer Using a Class-E RF Power Amplifier
Authors: Rong Cancan , Tao Xiong , Lu Conghui , Hu Zhaoyang , Huang Xiutao , Zeng Yingqin , Liu Minghai
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a mid-range wireless power transfer (WPT) system based on metamaterials (MMs) has been presented. It has been shown that the MMs are positioned in the WPT system to focalize the electromagnetic field for distance enhancement and efficiency improvement theoretically and experimentally. The MMs were fabricated by using a single layer printed-circuit board (PCB) with the negative magnetic permeability, μr. An applicable impedancetuning technology was implemented by changing the operating distance between the drive (load) resonator and the internal resonator, which can achieve the optimal load of the system. In addition, the Class-E RF (radio frequency) power amplifier is firstly proposed as the high frequency excitation source of the WPT system based on the MMs due to its simple design and high efficiency. The proposed technology can achieve efficiency improvements of 4.26% and 9.13% at distances of 100 cm and 200 cm around the 2.80 MHz WPT system with the MMs, respectively. Specially, it is worth mentioning that the system efficiency is enhanced by 18.58% at 160 cm. The measured results indicate the WPT system based on the MMs can assure a stable output power of 5W at a transfer distance of 200 cm.
Changes in Extreme Low Temperature Events over Northern China under 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C Warmer Future Scenarios
Authors: Hu Weiwei , Zhang Guwei , Zeng Gang , Li Zhongxian
Published: December 2018

Recently, NCAR (the National Center for Atmospheric Research) released the Community Earth System Model’s low-warming simulations, which provided long-term climate data for stabilization pathways at 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C above pre-industrial levels. Based on these data, six extreme low temperature indices—TXn (coldest day), TNn (coldest night), TX10p (cool days), TN10p (cool nights), CSDI (cold spell duration indicator), and DTR (diurnal temperature range)—were calculated to assess the changes in extreme low temperature over Northern China under 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C warmer future. The results indicate that compared to the preindustrial level, the whole of China will experience 0.32–0.46 °C higher minimum surface air temperature (SAT) warming than the global average, and the winter temperature increase in Northern China will be the most pronounced over the country. In almost all the regions of Northern China, especially Northeast and Northwest China, extreme low temperature events will occur with lower intensity, frequency, and duration. Compared with the present day, the intensity of low temperature events will decrease most in Northeast China, with TXn increasing by 1.9 °C/2.0 °C and TNn increasing by 2.0 °C/2.5 °C under 1.5 °C/2.0 °C global warming, respectively. The frequency of low temperature events will decrease relatively more in North China, with TX10p decreasing by 8 days/11 days and TN10p decreasing by 7 days/9 days under 1.5 °C/2.0 °C warming. CSDI will decrease most in Northwest China, with decreases of 7 days/10 days with 1.5 °C/2.0 °C warming. DTR will decrease in the Northwest and Northeast but increase in North China, with −0.9 °C/−2.0 °C in the Northwest, −0.4 °C/−1.5 °C in the Northeast, and 1.7 °C/2.0 °C in North China in the 1.5 °C/2.0 °C warming scenarios. For temperatures lower than the 5th percentile, the PRs (probability ratios) will be 0.68 and 0.55 of that of the present day under 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C warmer futures, respectively. Global warming of 2.0 °C instead of 1.5 °C will lead to extreme low temperature events decreasing by 6–56% in regard to intensity, frequency, and duration over Northern China, and the maximal values of decrease (24–56%) will be seen in Northeast China.
Cyclodextrins in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Barros Marisa C. F. , Ribeiro Ana C. F. , Esteso Miguel A.
Published: December 2018

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons that has been object of study by the scientific community through the last decades. However, nowadays there is still no treatment to cure it, although there are drugs available, with limited efficacy, to relieve the symptoms or replenish the cells with dopamine to supply the lack of dopaminergic neurons. This work was structured in two parts. In the first one, binary aqueous solutions of L-dopa and cyclodextrins were studied. In the second part, ternary aqueous solutions of L-dopa were studied with each of the selected cyclodextrins. In all cases, thermodynamic properties (density, partial molar volume and thermodynamic transfer functions for temperatures between 294.15 ± 0.01 K and 312.15 ± 0.01 K) and transport properties (mutual diffusion coefficients, viscosity, transfer viscosity at 298.15 ± 0.01 K and 310.15 ± 0.01 K) were studied. Using theoretical models to adjust the experimental data obtained for the diffusion coefficients and for the apparent molar volumes, in the ternary aqueous solutions, it was possible to estimate the values to the L-dopa-cyclodextrin association constant. For the aqueous ternary solutes, the partial molar volume of transfer of levodopa in the presence of the cyclodextrins, the partial molar expansibility at infinite dilution and from this, the Hepler constant, were determined. Also, the values of Gibbs free energy (ΔG0), enthalpy (ΔH0) and entropy (ΔS0) were determined. From the obtained information, it was possible to characterize the molecular interactions, as well as to identify some structural characteristics of the controlled drug delivery systems under study and to estimate the influence of the cyclodextrin substituent groups, and, also, the temperature effect in the interaction levodopa-cyclodextrin. It is our intent to attain information about the mechanism of possible new systems for controlled drug delivery systems, throughout an alternative perspective, which could allow to increase its effectiveness in the Parkinson’s treatment.
Mix and Match: An Investigation into Whether Episodic Future Thinking Cues Need to Match Discounting Delays in Order to Be Effective
Authors: O’Donnell Sara , Hollis-Hansen Kelseanna , Epstein Leonard H.
Published: December 2018

Episodic future thinking (EFT), or prospectively imagining yourself in the future, has been developed into an intervention tool to reduce delay discounting (DD), or the preference for smaller immediate over larger future rewards, and to make healthier choices that promote long-term health rather than short-term enjoyment. Most EFT interventions use EFT cues whose future events match the time delays of the DD task, which may limit the utility of EFT. The current study (N = 160, Mage = 35.25, 47.5% female) used a 2 × 2 factorial design with type of episodic thinking (matched, unmatched) and temporal perspective (EFT, episodic recent thinking (ERT)) as between-subject factors to investigate whether there were differences in DD for groups that had EFT cues matched to the time delays of the DD task in comparison to cues with unmatched temporal delays. The results showed EFT reduced DD compared to ERT controls, and no differences emerged between matched and unmatched EFT groups. Our findings suggest that either the process of generating EFT cues or the use of any positive and vivid future event, regardless of whether it is matched to the DD task, can reduce DD.
Interplay between Epigenetics, Expression of Estrogen Receptor- α, HER2/ERBB2 and Sensitivity of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells to Hormonal Therapy
Authors: Ramadan Wafaa S , Vazhappilly Cijo George , Saleh Ekram M , Menon Varsha , AlAzawi Aya M , El-Serafi Ahmed T , Mansour Wael , El-Awady Raafat
Published: December 2018

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are resistant to hormonal/targeted therapies. This study aims to investigate epigenetic differences between TNBC and other types of breast cancer and the effect of epigenetic modulation on the response of TNBC cells to hormonal therapy. Thus, we investigated (i) the expression of different epigenetic markers, (ii) the effect of epigenetic modifying agents on the expression of ERα and HER2/ERBB2 and (iii) the effect on the response to tamoxifen in four breast cancer cell lines with different hormonal receptor status. Our results revealed a differential expression patterns of epigenetic markers in the four breast cancer cells. In TNBC cells, histone deacetylases (HDAC) 1 and 2 were less expressed, whereas HDACs 4 and 6 were overexpressed. Interestingly, treatment with epigenetic modifiers resulted in (i) a pronounced increase in the expression of ERα and HER2/ERBB2 along with (ii) an increase in the sensitivity of TNBC cells to tamoxifen. Collectively, this study indicates a different epigenetic background for TNBC cells, which represses the expression of ERα and HER2/ERBB2. Furthermore, we provide here the rationale for the use of epigenetic modifiers to enhance the response of TNBC to hormonal therapy through upregulation of ERα.
The Interaction between Laminin-332 and α3β1 Integrin Determines Differentiation and Maintenance of CAFs, and Supports Invasion of Pancreatic Duct Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Martins Cavaco Ana C. , Rezaei Maryam , Caliandro Michele F. , Martins Lima Augusto , Stehling Martin , Dhayat Sameer A. , Haier Jörg , Brakebusch Cord , Eble Johannes A.
Published: December 2018

Ranking among the most lethal tumour entities, pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma cells invade neighbouring tissue resulting in high incidence of metastasis. They are supported by tumour stroma fibroblasts which have undergone differentiation into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Stiffness of cell substratum, cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and stromal matrix proteins, such as laminin-332, are factors which promote CAF differentiation. In a spheroid culture system, differentiation of CAFs was analysed for laminin-332 production, laminin-binding integrin repertoire, adhesion and migration behaviour, and, in heterospheroids, for their interplay with the pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma AsPC-I cells. Our data reveal that CAFs produce laminin-332 thus contributing to its ectopic deposition within the tumour stroma. Moreover, CAF differentiation correlates with an increased expression of α3β1 integrin, the principal laminin-332-receptor. Beyond its role as novel CAF marker protein, integrin α3β1 crucially determines differentiation and maintenance of the CAF phenotype, as knock-out of the integrin α3 subunit reversed the CAF differentiated state. AsPC-I cells co-cultured in heterospheroids with integrin α3-deficient CAFs invaded less than from heterospheroids with wild-type CAFs. This study highlights the role of integrin α3β1 integrin-laminin-332 interaction of CAFs which promotes and sustains differentiation of CAFs and promotes carcinoma invasion.
Plasma-Assisted Surface Interactions of Pt/CeO2 Catalyst for Enhanced Toluene Catalytic Oxidation
Authors: Chen Bingxu , Wang Bangfen , Sun Yuhai , Wang Xueqin , Fu Mingli , Wu Junliang , Chen Limin , Tan Yufei , Ye Daiqi
Published: December 2018

The performance of plasma-modified Pt/CeO2 for toluene catalytic oxidation was investigated. Pt/CeO2 nanorods were prepared by wet impregnation and were modified by thermal (PC-T), plasma (PC-P), and combined (PC-TP and PC-PT) treatments. The modified catalysts were characterized by TEM (transmission electron microscope), BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller), H2-TPR, O2-TPD, XPS, UV-Raman, and OSC tests. The significant variation of the surface morphologies and surface oxygen defects could have contributed to the modification of the Pt/CeO2 catalysts via the plasma treatment. It was found that plasma could promote the surface interaction between Pt and CeO2, resulting in the thermal stability of the catalyst. The Pt-Ce interaction was also conducive to an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, PC-PT and PC-TP showed a significant difference in oxygen vacancy concentrations and catalytic activities, which illustrated that the treatment sequence (plasma and thermal treatment) affected the performance of Pt/CeO2. The PC-PT sample showed the highest catalytic activity with T100 at 205 °C. This work thus demonstrates that plasma in combined treatment sequences could assist surface interactions of catalysts for enhanced toluene catalytic oxidation.