bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transtorno de personalidade borderline sob uma perspectiva analítico-funcional
Authors: Sousa Ana Carolina Aquino de
Published: June 2018

Opresente trabalho trata do que é chamado Transtorno de Personalidade Borderline a partir deuma visão analítico-funcional: mostra a relevância da mesma em relação à história passada, momento atual e principalmente a relação terapêutica para entender e tratar a problemática apresentada pelo cliente. Neste sentido, a relação terapêutica é descrita como um instrumento de mudança eficaz para promover mudanças no repertório do cliente. Este procedimento parte do pressuposto de que, se o indivíduo se comporta em relação ao terapeuta da mesma maneira que o faz no seu dia a dia com outras pessoas, esses ambientes são funcionalmente idênticos, e que, portanto, seumdeles for mudado, esta alteração se generalizará para os demais ambientes. O trabalho ilustra o caso de uma cliente com 34 anos de idade, cujos diagnósticos eram: agorafobia, bulimia e transtorno de personalidade borderline. Os atendimentos foram realizados semanalmente com sessões de duas horas de duração. Os dados obtidos com os atendimentos realizados, apontam que a relação terapêutica é um instrumento que promove mudanças no repertório do cliente, tanto na sessão quanto no seu cotidiano.
A análise funcional do comportamento verbal em Verbal Behavior (1957) de B. F. Skinner
Authors: Passos Maria de Lourdes Rodrigues da Fonseca
Published: June 2018

Verbal Behavior

(1957), de B. F. Skinner, propõe uma análise inovadora do comportamento verbal.

Este artigo procura expor e exemplificar alguns dos conceitos e processos apresentados nesta obra

para a análise funcional do comportamento verbal, tais como: conceito e classificação do

comportamento verbal, sua análise funcional, a causação múltipla, o papel da audiência, o

pensamento verbal, a comunidade verbal, a consciência, entre outros. Utilizam-se exemplos

quotidianos e literários do comportamento verbal. Faz-se uma breve menção aos temas que têm

sido pesquisados na área do comportamento verbal, assim como a algumas das dificuldades

específicas de seu estudo. São propostas algumas questões de estudo.
Direcionamentos para a Condução do Processo Terapêutico Comportamental com Crianças
Authors: Moura Cynthia Borges de , Venturelli Marlene Bortholazzi
Published: June 2018

Este trabalho tem como objetivo sistematizar informações disponíveis na literatura sobre organização e condução do processo psicoterapêutico de crianças, segundo os pressupostos da Análise do Comportamento. O trabalho apresenta uma conceituação de processo psicoterápico, incluindo etapas e organização das tarefas. Discutem-se também as características da terapia da criança que requerem organização e sistematização diferenciada. Finalmente, apresenta-se uma proposta de sistematização seqüencial de diretrizes para condução do processo psicoterapêutico comportamental com crianças. A proposta é apresentada sumariamente de forma diagramática seguida de uma descrição passo-a-passo da condução do processo, incluindo desde o primeiro contato com a criança, até os procedimentos para o desligamento da terapia. Espera-se que o modelo proposto auxilie na compreensão do processo de condução e tomada de decisão em psicoterapia infantil.
Relatar emoções transforma as emoções relatadas? Um questionamento do paradigma de Pennebaker comimplicações para a prevenção de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático
Authors: Vandenberghe Luc
Published: June 2018

Pessoas muitas vezes sentem um alivio depois de ter compartilhado emoções relacionadas a um trauma. Porém não há dados claros que indicam que estas emoções realmente são transformadas por este ato de compartilhar. A pesquisa empírica acerca dos efeitos do compartilhamento verbal de emoções gerou resultados contra-intuitivos e dificilmente interpretáveis. Isto é o caso tanto na psicologia experimental social quanto na pesquisa clínica acerca da prevenção de estresse póstraumático. Uma releitura critica desses resultados realça lacunas que merecem atenção da pesquisa. Questões referentes à relação entre esquiva experiencial e compartilhamento de emoções e principalmente ao que a pessoa aprende enquanto relatando as suas emoções, precisavam ser examinada sem mais detalhe.
Transtorno de Pânico e Agorafobia: Um Estudo de Caso
Authors: Britto Ilma A. Goulart de Souza , Duarte Ângela Maria Menezes
Published: June 2018

O presente estudo teve como objetivo intervir nos comportamentos problemáticos de uma cliente de 53 anos que relatou experimentar estados corporais compatíveis com manifestações do transtorno de pânico. Com base nos relatos verbais e registros dos comportamentos da cliente, a terapeuta descreveu as contingências que produziam a queixa e ensinou à cliente que a ansiedade é um estado corporal produzido pelas contingências aversivas às quais ela respondia. Durante a intervenção, a cliente adquiriu o repertório necessário para responder adequadamente às contingências aversivas. Os comportamentos desadaptados da cliente ficaram sob controle dos procedimentos terapêuticos utilizados.
As Relações Verbais Elementares e o Processo Autoclítico
Authors: Borloti Elizeu
Published: June 2018

Em Verbal Behavior, Skinner definiu comportamento verbal como aquele que modifica o ambiente pela ação de outras pessoas. A partir da análise das interações do falante com o ambiente e com o ouvinte, ele classificou as relações verbais elementares -mando, tato, intraverbal, textual, ecóico e transcritivo - sobre as quais atuam os processos verbais de segunda ordem - os autoclíticos. O artigo é didático e tem como objetivo definir e servir de instrução para uma classificação funcional dessas relações, ilustrando a classificação das unidades autoclíticas descritivas, qualificadoras, quantificadoras, manipulativas, relacionais e de composição a partir de dados empíricos obtidos da gravação de uma conversa entre estudantes sobre o tema polêmico “adoção de crianças por casais homossexuais”.
Exibicionismo e procedimentos baseados na Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT): Um relato de caso
Authors: Fukahori Lígia , Silveira Jocelaine Martins da , Costa Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2018

O presente artigo relata um tratamento de “comportamentos exibicionistas” por meio da aplicação de procedimentos baseados na Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT). Atendeu-seumuniversitário com 24 anos de idade, que vinha apresentando o problema havia oito anos. O cliente procurou atendimento psicológico por decisão própria.Aresposta de exibição pública ocorria aproximadamente uma vez ao dia, seguida freqüentemente de masturbação e sentimentos desagradáveis, conforme autoregistro realizado nos primeiros 20 dias de tratamento. Dezesseis sessões foram realizadas, ao longo das quais as respostas de masturbação, pensamentos parafilíacos e de exibição pública tiveram sua freqüência diminuída, de acordo com o auto-registro. Discute-se a contribuição dos procedimentos da ACTemcasos de exibicionismo, assim como do envolvimento do cliente em um relacionamento afetivo significativo, na promoção das mudanças clínicas observadas.
Tratamento da fobia social generalizada: comparação entre técnicas
Authors: D'El Rey Gustavo J. Fonseca , Beidel Douglas Cardoso , Pacini Carla Alessandra
Published: June 2018

A fobia social (transtorno de ansiedade social) é um grave transtorno de ansiedade, que traz sofrimento e incapacitação. Neste estudo, 17 pacientes com diagnóstico de fobia social generalizada foram randomicamente distribuídos em dois grupos de tratamento. Um grupo recebeu treinamento de habilidades sociais isoladamente (THS) e o outro grupo recebeu a combinação de treinamento de habilidades sociais e reestruturação cognitiva (THS-RC). Ambos os tratamentos foram efetivos, porém a combinação de técnicas (THS-RC) provou ser significativamente mais efetiva do que o treinamento de habilidades sociais sozinho nos vários instrumentos de avaliação ao final do tratamento de 8 semanas e no follow-up de três meses.
Análise comportamental em um caso de dependência à nicotina
Authors: Mundim Marli Mariano , Bueno Gina Nolêto
Published: June 2018

O presente trabalho procurou levantar relações entre o estado emocional negativo e o desenvolvimento de respostas negativas, possibilitando a construção de comportamentos disfuncionais, tais como o ato de fumar, e teve como suporte a terapia comportamental cognitiva. O participante deste estudo é do sexo masculino, adulto, e apresentou-se como dependente de nicotina há trinta anos. Desse modo, o ato de fumar estava comprometendo sua saúde. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a intervenção proposta, para este estudo de caso, foi eficaz: houve diminuição em mais de 90% do comportamento de fumar, a redução da ansiedade e o aumento do comportamento assertivo. Concluiu-se que o processo psicoterapêutico definido auxiliou na melhoria da qualidade de vida do cliente.
Transtorno dismórfico corporal sob a perspectiva da análise do comportamento
Authors: Moriyama Josy de Souza , Amaral Vera Lúcia Raposo do
Published: June 2018

O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar comportamentos classificados como Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal e suas contingências de desenvolvimento e manutenção. Foi um estudo descritivo-exploratório por meio de entrevistas, com sete participantes e seus familiares, para levantar algumas hipóteses baseadas nos princípios teóricos do Behaviorismo Radical. Encontraram-se comportamentos depressivos, obsessivos, compulsivos e delirantes; de esquiva social; checagem no espelho e rituais de camuflagem. Nas histórias de vida, identificaram-se: educação coercitiva, grande valorização da beleza, reduzidas interações sociais, acidentes ocorridos, comentários sobre parte do corpo e cirurgias. Sob o controle de estímulos específicos, como o defeito alegado e o olhar dos outros, muitas classes de comportamentos tinham a função de fuga/esquiva. Os comportamentos eram reforçados negativamente, porque evitavam a exposição aos outros e críticas. Alguns comportamentos foram descritos por meio da esquiva experiencial, pois tinham a função de evitar o contato com experiências privadas aversivas, trazendo grandes prejuízos nas áreas social, ocupacional e familiar.
Algumas contingências mantenedoras do comportamento de prostituir-se
Authors: Fonai Ana Carolina Vieira , Delitti Maly
Published: June 2018

A prostituição é um fenômeno social comum em diversas civilizações. Apesar de ser mantida pela sociedade e por seus componentes, também é por ela discriminada enquanto profissão, o que acarreta em diversas punições às prostitutas. Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar quais contingências mantêm o comportamento de prostituir-se, negando, desde o início, causas internas como “caráter”, e focalizando a relação entre a prostituta e o seu ambiente. Foi considerado como comportamento de prostituir-se o ato de manter relações com um cliente em troca de dinheiro. Foram verificadas contingências reforçadoras e aversivas envolvidas no comportamento de prostituir-se. A análise foi baseada no relato verbal de seis prostitutas de diferentes locais de atividade e fundamenta-se nos princípios da análise do comportamento. Foram identificadas como contingências mantenedoras: esquiva de situação anterior mais aversiva, imitação, reforçamento imediato, reforçadores generalizados, reforçadores primários, entre outros. Outro aspecto observado foi que a estimulação aversiva do trabalho não tem controle sobre o comportamento quando em competição com os reforçadores mencionados, provavelmente por ser atrasada e gradualmente introduzida.
Efeitos dos procedimentos de videofeedback e modelação em vídeo na mudança de comportamentos maternos
Authors: Moura Cynthia Borges de , Silvares Edwiges Ferreira de Mattos , Jacovozzi Fernanda Marques , Silva Kamila Alves da , Casanova Ligia Tristão
Published: June 2018

Este trabalho tem como objetivo comparar os resultados do uso dos procedimentos de videofeedback e modelação em vídeo na orientação de mães de crianças pré-escolares quanto à agilidade na produção de mudanças nos comportamentos relacionados ao uso do reforçamento diferencial (aumentar a atenção positiva para comportamentos apropriados e diminuir a atenção negativa e punição aos comportamentos inadequados). Participaram duas díades mãe e filho. As crianças tinham três e quatro anos, com problemas de comportamento externalizante e internalizante, respectivamente. O procedimento consistiu em orientar as mães, alternando os procedimentos de videofeedback e modelação em vídeo, tomando-se medidas observacionais repetidas entre as sessões. Nos dois casos, a modelação em vídeo apresentou resultados superiores. Os resultados demonstraram que assistir a um terapeuta proficiente dando modelo das habilidades-alvo à mãe é relevante para a percepção das mudanças imediatas no comportamento da criança, em função de alterações simples no padrão de interação.
Elementos fundamentais para a aquisição de operantes verbais por bebês: análise comportamental da “atenção compartilhada”
Authors: Oliveira Thais Porlan de , Gil Maria Stella Coutinho de Alcântara
Published: June 2018

O estudo comportamental da linguagem pressupõe considerar as contingências operantes para a aquisição do repertório de responder à relação entre estímulos tal como se propõe para quaisquer outros comportamentos. Entretanto, um dos desafios para os avanços da proposta de Skinner sobre o comportamento verbal é a busca de explicações para a descrição dos componentes essenciais na aquisição e manutenção do repertório verbal pelas crianças pequenas. Superar tal desafio implica, entre outras coisas, investir na interlocução entre a concepção comportamental dos operantes verbais com outras áreas do conhecimento, como, por exemplo, a Psicologia do Desenvolvimento. O presente trabalho propõe que uma análise operante da “atenção compartilhada” desempenharia papel de elemento fundamental para a aquisição de operantes verbais, especificamente mandos e tatos, pelos bebês. Este exame parece frutífero tanto para a análise do impacto de aspectos do livro Verbal Behavior para a explicação teórica dos componentes essenciais da aquisição da linguagem, como para o progresso de investigações empíricas sobre o tema.
Conseqüências da interpretação funcional de termos psicológicos
Authors: Strapasson Bruno Angelo , Carrara Kester , Lopes Júnior Jair
Published: June 2018

A Análise do Comportamento (AC) tem-se beneficiado de uma determinada modalidade de interpretação operacional de termos/expressões desenvolvido(a)s em outros sistemas da Psicologia e áreas afins. O modelo skinneriano de interpretação operacional de termos de outras teorias constitui-se da análise do contexto em que teóricos e pesquisadores emitem os termos/expressões analisados. Trata-se, portanto, da análise do comportamento verbal de psicólogos. Inúmeros exemplos dessa prática podem ser encontrados na obra de Skinner e são recorrentes nos diversos periódicos da AC. Neste artigo, discutem-se as implicações dessas análises para a sobrevivência da AC enquanto prática cultural, para o aperfeiçoamento conceitual, teórico e tecnológico da AC e para o ensino da AC. Com base nessas análises, propõe-se que a interpretação de termos de outras teorias seja considerada um programa de pesquisa importante e receba maior atenção dos analistas do comportamento.
Avaliando o papel do comportamento verbal para aquisição de comportamento “supersticioso”
Authors: Panetta Paulo André Barbosa , Hora Cássia Leal da , Benvenuti Marcelo Frota Lobato
Published: June 2018

O estudo avaliou interações entre descrições de contingências e comportamento adquirido por relação acidental com reforço (comportamento “supersticioso”). Quatro adultos participaram de uma atividade feita no computador. Cada sessão foi composta de períodos de 30s nos quais os participantes poderiam responder com um mouse a um retângulo que aparecia no monitor do computador. Após o término de cada período de 30s, havia um intervalo de 10s no qual o participante poderia pedir para encerrar a sessão. Para cada participante foram realizadas quatro sessões. Em cada sessão, vigorava apenas uma contingência para apresentação de pontos: VR 6, extinção, extinção e VT 8 s. No início das duas últimas sessões, era dito aos participantes que respostas no retângulo produziriam pontos. Três participantes responderam mais na última sessão do que na terceira, mostrando que instruções que sugerem relação entre resposta e mudança ambiental podem facilitar a aquisição de comportamento “supersticioso”.
Verbal Behavior de B.F. Skinner: sua importância no estudo do comportamento
Authors: Ardila Rubén
Published: June 2018

O livro Verbal Behavior (1957) foi considerado por seu autor, B. F. Skinner, como sua principal contribuição ao conhecimento. A linguagem é o mais complexo dos comportamentos humanos e tem sido estudado por inúmeras perspectivas. O livro Verbal Behavior foi o foco de muitas controvérsias e deu origem a um grande número de investigações. O primeiro idioma para o qual se traduziu este livro foi o espanhol, em 1981. Atualmente, a área do comportamento verbal encontra-se no centro de importantes desenvolvimentos na análise do comportamento, no behaviorismo radical e na psicologia científica em geral.
Categorization of verbalizations of the therapeutic process and the intraverbal operant
Authors: Vieira-Santos Joene , Souza Carlos Barbosa Alves de
Published: June 2018

Categorization of verbalizations of the therapeutic process can to be interpreted as intraverbal training. Thus, evaluation of the variables involved in this training would give us information about relevant variables of categorization activity. This work analyzed the procedures and results of the studies using the training of intravebal responses, aiming to identify relevant variables in intraverbal behavior acquisition, and therefore in categorization. The following variables were identified: presence of textual cues; use of examples (especially the exposure to a procedure of multiple examples instruction) and, in the context of the instructional relations, both exposure to definition tasks before starting example identification tasks and identification of the concept’s keys aspects. These variables seem to be related directly to those identified in the studies about categorization of verbalizations of the therapeutic process, suggesting that they must be taken into account in the development of studies about this subject.
Effects of differential reinforcement of choosing phrases about reading upon the duration of reading behavior
Authors: Faleiros Thais Cazati , Hübner Maria Martha Costa
Published: June 2018

In the scope of studies that investigate the effects of manipulation in verbal antecedents upon the related non verbal behavior, the present study evaluated the effect of differential reinforcement of one response class (choice of phrases about positive aspects about reading, interpreted as tacts with positive qualifying autoclitics) upon other class (the choice of reading behavior), reinforcing choices of phrases about positive aspects of reading and observing its effects upon the emission of reading behavior. It were registered activities and photographs chosen before and after the training. During training, four phrases appeared in a computer screen and just the choice of one of them (related to reading) was reinforced with points. The results indicated an augment of the choices in reading behavior as well as in the time of reading for the majority of the participants and an augment of the choices of choosing photographs related to reading, when compared to the results of the baseline. The results are interpreted according to behavior verbally governed.
Parkinson’s Disease and Melanoma: Co-Occurrence and Mechanisms
Authors: Bose Anindita , Petsko Gregory A. , Eliezer David
Published: June 2018

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, depletion of dopamine in the striatum and the presence of Lewy bodies. Cancer is uncontrolled growth of cells in the body and migration of these cells from their site of origin to other parts of the body. PD and cancer are two opposite diseases, one arising from cell proliferation and the other from cell degeneration. This fundamental difference is consistent with inverse comorbidity between most cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. However, a positive association of PD and melanoma has been reported which has recently become of significant interest. A link between PD and cancer has been supported by many epidemiological studies, most of which show that PD patients have a lower risk of developing most cancers than the general population. However, the mechanisms underlying this epidemiological observation are not known. In this review we focus on epidemiological studies correlating PD and melanoma and the possible mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of the two diseases. We explore possible explanations for the important observations that more PD patients develop melanoma that would otherwise be expected and vice-versa.
Diet and longevity: The effects of traditional eating habits on human lifespan extension
Authors: Caprara Greta
Published: June 2018

Since the dawn of time human beings have been trying to improve the quality of the existence and extend their lifespan. Genetic, environmental, behavioral and dietary factors influence the pathways that regulate aging and life expectancy, thus rendering longevity a very complex phenomenon. Although a long-lived elixir has not yet been found, physicians and scientists agree that nutrition has a major impact on the overall mortality and morbidity, hence becoming the subject of a widespread scientific research. This review describes, analyzes and compares the effects of different types of diets in reducing the onset of typical Western countries non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (cardiovascular diseases, tumors, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, etc.), thus increasing the average lifespan. It will first depict the most relevant characteristics, nutraceutical properties and effects on the populations of the Mediterranean, Japanese, Vegetarian and New Nordic Diet. Finally, it will describe the impact of different dietary restrictions in modulating the genetic pathways that regulate metabolism and aging. Overall, this work reinforces the evidence that specific eating habits, in addition to healthy and active lifestyles, are crucial to increase people’s health span and to achieve an optimal longevity.
Biomass and nutritional evaluation of German grass (Echinochloa polystachya) cultivated on floating bed
Authors: Islam MM , Khan MMH , Uddin MJ , Islam MJ
Published: June 2018

German and Napier grasses were cultivated on floating agricultural bed at the valley of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) to find out a suitable fodder for floating bed fodder cultivation. Later, German grass was cultivated on five floating beds at Hemupara of Jaintapur, Sylhet and also produced at land of SAU campus. German grass samples from both floating beds and land, as well as local Bermuda grass from Hemupara were evaluated for assessment of biomass production, proximate and fiber composition. There was no significant difference in length and production of German grass cultivated on floating bed and land cultivation. German grass production cost on floating bed was 2.3 Tk/kg. German grass from floating bed contained more ether extract, Ash, Neutral detergent fiber and cellulose than that from land cultivation. DM, Ash, CP, EE, CF and NFE of German grass on floating beds at Hemupara were 199.7g/kg, 20.1g/kg, 57.2g/kg, 37.2g/kg, 411.8gm/kg and 273.9g/kg respectively. The fiber components of German grass on floating beds were NDF (696.4g/kg), ADF (452.2g/kg), ADL (100.1g/kg), cellulose (244.1g/kg) and hemicellulose (352.1g/kg). German grass can be considered as a suitable fodder for floating bed fodder cultivation when there is long term water logging as an alternative fodder production practice in Bangladesh.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (4): 249-257
Asymmetric Propagation Delay-Aware TDMA MAC Protocol for Mobile Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Cho A-Ra , Yun Changho , Lim Yong-Kon , Choi Youngchol
Published: June 2018

The propagation delay in mobile underwater acoustic sensor network (MUASN) is asymmetric because of its low sound propagation speed, and this asymmetry grows with the increase in packet travel time, which damages the collision avoidance mechanism of the spatial reuse medium access control (MAC) protocols for MUASN. We propose an asymmetric propagation delay-aware time division multiple access (APD-TDMA) for a MUASN in which periodic data packet transmission is required for a sink node (SN). Collisions at the SN are avoided by deferring data packet transmission after reception of a beacon packet from the SN, and data packets are arrived at the SN in a packet-train manner. The time-offset, which is the time for a node to wait before the transmission of a data packet after reception of a beacon packet, is determined by estimating the propagation delay over two consecutive cycles such that the idle interval at the SN is minimized, and this time-offset is announced by the beacon packet. Simulation results demonstrate that the APD-TDMA improves the channel access delay and the channel utilization by approximately 20% and 30%, respectively, compared with those of the block time bounded TDMA under the given network conditions.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polystyrene-Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Particles Using an Anionic-Surfactant-Modified Clay and Their Friction Performance
Authors: Yu Chengcheng , Ke Yangchuan , Deng Qingchun , Lu Shichao , Ji Jingqi , Hu Xu , Zhao Yi
Published: June 2018

Polystyrene-organo-montmorillonite (PS-OMMT) nanocomposite particles were prepared via emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of montmorillonite modified with an anionic surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfonate (SLS), and its tribological properties as an additive to polyalphaolefin (PAO) were tested. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that SLS molecules resided in the montmorillonite (MMT) interlayer space. The effects of OMMT on the morphology and properties of the nanocomposites were also investigated. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) demonstrate that the presence of OMMT can effectively reduce the average molecular weight and average particle size of PS. XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the PS-OMMT nanocomposites indicate that exfoliated and intercalated structures form and that the MMT layers either are partly embedded inside the PS particles or remain on their surface. Compared with pure PS, the PS-OMMT nanocomposites possessed higher stability to thermal decomposition and higher glass transition temperatures. Adding nanocomposite particles reduces the friction coefficient, and thus, the antiwear properties of the PAO are significantly improved. The PS-OMMT-3 (3 wt % of OMMT based on styrene) particles have the best tribological performance and maintained a stable, very low coefficient of friction of 0.09.
On the Synthesis and Characterization of Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Laurikenas Andrius , Beganskiene Aldona , Kareiva Aivaras
Published: June 2018

In this study, lanthanide metal-organic frameworks Ln(BTC)(DMF)2(H2O) (LnMOFs) are synthesized using the metal nitrates as lanthanide (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) source and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) as a coordination ligand. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) analysis fluorescence spectroscopy (FLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are employed to characterize the newly synthesized LnMOFs.
Performance and Emission Analysis of Rubber Seed, Palm, and Their Combined Blend in a Multi-Cylinder Diesel Engine
Authors: Adam Ibrahim Khalil , Abdul Aziz Abdul Rashid , Heikal Morgan R. , Yusup Suzana , Firmansyah  , Ahmad Ahmad Shahrul , Zainal Abidin Ezrann Zharif
Published: June 2018

In consideration of its vast resources in Malaysia, the potential use of a nonedible biodiesel source from rubber seed oil (RSO) is explored. However, a mixture with a high saturation content feedstock is required to increase its oxidation stability, which is caused by its 78.93% unsaturation content. Two blends of 20% and 50% v/v rubber seed biodiesel (RB) or palm biodiesel (PB) and varying percentage mixtures of these two feedstock oils biodiesel (RPB) were evaluated on combustion performance in a 55 kW multi-cylinder diesel engine at full load conditions. The results showed that feedstock blending offered benefits in terms of fuel properties enhancement, improved engine performance, and reduced emissions. In comparison to RB, RPB showed higher brake power (BP) of 1.18–2.97% and lower brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of 0.85–3.69%, smoke opacity (11.89–14.19%), carbon monoxide (CO) of 2.48–6.93%, hydrocarbon (HC) of 2.36–9.34%, and Nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions of 2.34–5.93%. The cylinder pressures and heat release rates (HRR) of RPB blends were 8.47–11.43% and 36.02–46.61% higher than diesel, respectively. The start of combustion angles (SOC) of RB and RPB blends were from −13 to −15 °C and from −13.2 to −15.6 crank angle degree (°CA) before top dead center (BTDC), but the combustion delays were 6–8 °C and 5.4–7.8 °C shorter when compared to diesel fuel which were −10 °C BTDC and 11 °C, respectively. It can be concluded that RPB blends showed better performance and emissions over the individual rubber seed and palm biodiesel blends and can replace diesel fuel in unmodified engines.
Functional Stimuli-Responsive Gels: Hydrogels and Microgels
Authors: Echeverria Coro , Fernandes Susete N. , Godinho Maria H. , Borges João Paulo , Soares Paula I. P.
Published: June 2018

One strategy that has gained much attention in the last decades is the understanding and further mimicking of structures and behaviours found in nature, as inspiration to develop materials with additional functionalities. This review presents recent advances in stimuli-responsive gels with emphasis on functional hydrogels and microgels. The first part of the review highlights the high impact of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in materials science. From macro to micro scale, the review also collects the most recent studies on the preparation of hybrid polymeric microgels composed of a nanoparticle (able to respond to external stimuli), encapsulated or grown into a stimuli-responsive matrix (microgel). This combination gave rise to interesting multi-responsive functional microgels and paved a new path for the preparation of multi-stimuli “smart” systems. Finally, special attention is focused on a new generation of functional stimuli-responsive polymer hydrogels able to self-shape (shape-memory) and/or self-repair. This last functionality could be considered as the closing loop for smart polymeric gels.
Nearby Nature ‘Buffers’ the Effect of Low Social Connectedness on Adult Subjective Wellbeing over the Last 7 Days
Authors: Cartwright Benjamin D. S. , White Mathew P. , Clitherow Theodore J.
Published: June 2018

Subjective wellbeing (SWB) is positively associated with both social connectedness and contact with natural environments. However, few studies have explored how these two predictors of SWB might interact. The current work hypothesised that high levels of nature exposure might mitigate (or buffer) any negative effects of a lack of recent social connectedness on wellbeing, by offering an alternative way for individuals to connect with the world around them. Results are based on data from 359 individuals who responded to an online survey in the UK. Measures of SWB, social connectedness and nature visit frequency all focused on the last seven days, and nearby nature was assessed in terms of the view from home and surrounding area. Regression models predicting SWB used interaction terms to test the buffering hypothesis, and controlled for sociodemographic and personality variables. Supporting predictions, social connectedness, nearby nature, and nature visit frequency were all positively associated with SWB. Partially supporting our buffering hypothesis, nearby nature, but not nature visit frequency, moderated the relationship between social connectedness and SWB. People with poor social connectedness still showed high levels of wellbeing if they reported high levels of nearby nature, and there was a lower likelihood of levels of wellbeing associated with depression among those with poor social connectedness if they had high nearby nature. Results confirmed the importance of nature exposure for wellbeing in itself, and highlighted its potential role in offering socially isolated individuals a way of satisfying the need to feel connected.
Source Identification and Apportionment of Trace Elements in Soils in the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Shao Shuai , Hu Bifeng , Fu Zhiyi , Wang Jiayu , Lou Ge , Zhou Yue , Jin Bin , Li Yan , Shi Zhou
Published: June 2018

Trace elements pollution has attracted a lot of attention worldwide. However, it is difficult to identify and apportion the sources of multiple element pollutants over large areas because of the considerable spatial complexity and variability in the distribution of trace elements in soil. In this study, we collected total of 2051 topsoil (0–20 cm) samples, and analyzed the general pollution status of soils from the Yangtze River Delta, Southeast China. We applied principal component analysis (PCA), a finite mixture distribution model (FMDM), and geostatistical tools to identify and quantitatively apportion the sources of seven kinds of trace elements (chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As)) in soil. The PCA results indicated that the trace elements in soil in the study area were mainly from natural, multi-pollutant and industrial sources. The FMDM also fitted three sub log-normal distributions. The results from the two models were quite similar: Cr, As, and Ni were mainly from natural sources caused by parent material weathering; Cd, Cu, and Zu were mainly from mixed sources, with a considerable portion from anthropogenic activities such as traffic pollutants, domestic garbage, and agricultural inputs, and Hg was mainly from industrial wastes and pollutants.
The Risk of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Facilitating Tumors in Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Authors: Yan Muting , Nie Huayue , Wang Wenjing , Huang Yumei , Li Qing X. , Wang Jun
Published: June 2018

The Hawaiian green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is on the list of threatened species protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1978 in large part due to a severe tumor-forming disease named fibropapillomatosis. Chemical pollution is a prime suspect threatening the survival of C. mydas. In this study, PCBs concentrations were determined in 43 C. mydas plasma samples archived on Tern Island. The total PCBs concentration in male C. mydas (mean 1.10 ng/mL) was two times more than that of females (mean 0.43 ng/mL). The relationship between straight carapace length and PCBs concentration in females has also been studied, which was negatively related. To figure out the possible existence of correlations between PCBs and tumor status, we measured the PCBs concentration in turtles with no tumor, moderate or severe tumor affliction. PCBs concentration of two afflicted groups was much higher than the healthy group, suggesting that PCBs may play a role in fibropapillomatosis in Hawaiian green turtle.
Residential Greenness and Birthweight in the State of Massachusetts, USA
Authors: Fong Kelvin C. , Kloog Itai , Coull Brent A. , Koutrakis Petros , Laden Francine , Schwartz Joel D. , James Peter
Published: June 2018

Natural vegetation, or greenness, may benefit maternal health and consequently, fetal growth, by providing opportunities for physical activity and psychological restoration, and decreasing detrimental environmental exposures. We retrieved Massachusetts Birth Registry data from 2001–2013 and investigated the association between residential greenness and birthweight in full-term births (≥37 weeks gestation). We calculated average residential greenness during pregnancy using 250 m normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from satellites. We estimated associations between greenness and continuous birthweight, term low birthweight (TLBW: <2500 g), and small for gestational age (SGA: <10th percentile of birthweight stratified by sex and gestational age) adjusted for individual and neighborhood covariates and considered nonlinearity and effect modification. Higher greenness exposure was associated with higher birthweight with stronger associations in the lower than higher range of greenness. Greenness was associated with lower odds of TLBW (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 0.99 per 0.1 increase in NDVI) and SGA (OR 0.98; 95% 0.97, 0.99) and associations varied by population density (TLBW) and socioeconomic status (TLBW, SGA). Our results suggest that greenness is beneficial to fetal growth exhibited by higher birthweight and lower odds of TLBW and SGA. Unlike prior studies, associations with TLBW and SGA appeared stronger among those with higher socioeconomic status.
Charitable Food Systems’ Capacity to Address Food Insecurity: An Australian Capital City Audit
Authors: Pollard Christina M. , Mackintosh Bruce , Campbell Cathy , Kerr Deborah , Begley Andrea , Jancey Jonine , Caraher Martin , Berg Joel , Booth Sue
Published: June 2018

Australian efforts to address food insecurity are delivered by a charitable food system (CFS) which fails to meet demand. The scope and nature of the CFS is unknown. This study audits the organisational capacity of the CFS within the 10.9 square kilometres of inner-city Perth, Western Australia. A desktop analysis of services and 12 face-to-face interviews with representatives from CFS organisations was conducted. All CFS organisations were not-for–profit and guided by humanitarian or faith-based values. The CFS comprised three indirect services (IS) sourcing, banking and/or distributing food to 15 direct services (DS) providing food to recipients. DS offered 30 different food services at 34 locations feeding over 5670 people/week via 16 models including mobile and seated meals, food parcels, supermarket vouchers, and food pantries. Volunteer to paid staff ratios were 33:1 (DS) and 19:1 (IS). System-wide, food was mainly donated and most funding was philanthropic. Only three organisations received government funds. No organisation had a nutrition policy. The organisational capacity of the CFS was precarious due to unreliable, insufficient and inappropriate financial, human and food resources and structures. System-wide reforms are needed to ensure adequate and appropriate food relief for Australians experiencing food insecurity.
Maternal Serum and Breast Milk Adiponectin: The Association with Infant Adiposity Development
Authors: Mohamad Marhazlina , Loy See Ling , Lim Poh Ying , Wang Yu , Soo Kah Leng , Mohamed Hamid Jan Jan
Published: June 2018

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in Malaysia. Metabolic changes during pregnancy are critical to the development of infant adiposity, due to imbalanced adipokines production. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association of maternal serum and breast milk adipokines with infant adiposity development. The study was conducted from April 2010 until December 2012. A total of 155 healthy pregnant mothers aged 19 to 40 years were recruited during the first and second trimester in Kelantan, Malaysia. Data consisted of maternal sociodemographic details, anthropometry and clinical biochemistry analysis; and the infant’s anthropometry and feeding patterns. Maternal fasting serum and breast milk samples were analysed for adiponectin and leptin levels. Data collection was performed in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, and continued with follow-up visits at birth, two, six, and 12 months postpartum. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were performed to examine the associations between maternal serum and breast milk adiponectin and leptin and infant adiposity development. MLR models showed that, in the first year, as maternal serum and breast milk adiponectin increased, infant weight, BMI-for-age Z scores and abdominal circumference significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Maternal serum and/or breast milk adiponectin was associated with first-year infant adiposity development.
Role of the DNA Damage Response in Human Papillomavirus RNA Splicing and Polyadenylation
Authors: Nilsson Kersti , Wu Chengjun , Schwartz Stefan
Published: June 2018

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have evolved to use the DNA repair machinery to replicate its DNA genome in differentiated cells. HPV activates the DNA damage response (DDR) in infected cells. Cellular DDR factors are recruited to the HPV DNA genome and position the cellular DNA polymerase on the HPV DNA and progeny genomes are synthesized. Following HPV DNA replication, HPV late gene expression is activated. Recent research has shown that the DDR factors also interact with RNA binding proteins and affects RNA processing. DDR factors activated by DNA damage and that associate with HPV DNA can recruit splicing factors and RNA binding proteins to the HPV DNA and induce HPV late gene expression. This induction is the result of altered alternative polyadenylation and splicing of HPV messenger RNA (mRNA). HPV uses the DDR machinery to replicate its DNA genome and to activate HPV late gene expression at the level of RNA processing.
Generation of Human Breg-Like Phenotype with Regulatory Function In Vitro with Bacteria-Derived Oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Gallego-Valle Jorge , Pérez-Fernández Verónica Astrid , Correa-Rocha Rafael , Pion Marjorie
Published: June 2018

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) participate in auto-tolerance maintenance and immune homeostasis. Despite their impact on many diseases and due to the difficulty to define them, knowledge about their origin and their physiological inducers is still unclear. The incomplete understanding about the generation of Bregs and their limited numbers in periphery make it difficult to develop Breg-based therapy. Therefore, identifying factors that promote their development would allow their ex-vivo production in order to create new immunotherapy. This project aims to test the capacity of several cytokines (Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), and Cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L)) and bacteria-derived oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN), alone or in combination, to generate B cells with regulatory phenotype and function. We have demonstrated that the Breg-associated phenotypes were heterogeneous between one and other stimulation conditions. However, the expression of other markers related to Bregs such as IL-10, CD80, CD86, CD71, Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), and Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was increased when cells were stimulated with CpG alone or in combination. Moreover, stimulated B cells presented a suppressive function on autologous activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation. Therefore, this work is the first step to demonstrate the feasibility to induce functional Breg-like cells in vitro and will then facilitate the way to produce Breg-like cells as a potential future cellular therapy.
Molecular Mechanisms of Oligodendrocyte Regeneration in White Matter-Related Diseases
Authors: Ohtomo Ryo , Iwata Atsushi , Arai Ken
Published: June 2018

Even in adult brains, restorative mechanisms are still retained to maintain the microenvironment. Under the pathological conditions of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, several immature cells in the brain would be activated as a compensative response. As the concept of the neurovascular unit emphasizes, cell-cell interactions play important roles in this restorative process. White matter damage and oligodendrocyte loss are representative characteristics for many neurodegenerative diseases. In response to oligodendrocyte damage, residual oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) initiate their proliferation and differentiation for the purpose of remyelination. Although mechanisms of oligodendrogenesis and remyelination in CNS diseases are still mostly unknown and understudied, accumulated evidence now suggests that support from neighboring cells is necessary for OPC proliferation and differentiation. In this review, we first overview basic mechanisms of interaction between oligodendrocyte lineage cells and neighboring cells, and then introduce how oligodendrogenesis occurs under the conditions of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on vascular cognitive impairment syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase as a Reprogramming Strategy for Hypertension and Kidney Disease of Developmental Origin
Authors: Tain You-Lin , Hsu Chien-Ning
Published: June 2018

Suboptimal early-life conditions affect the developing kidney, resulting in long-term programming effects, namely renal programming. Adverse renal programming increases the risk for developing hypertension and kidney disease in adulthood. Conversely, reprogramming is a strategy aimed at reversing the programming processes in early life. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a key role in normal renal physiology and the pathogenesis of hypertension and kidney disease. This review discusses the regulation of AMPK in the kidney and provides hypothetical mechanisms linking AMPK to renal programming. This will be followed by studies targeting AMPK activators like metformin, resveratrol, thiazolidinediones, and polyphenols as reprogramming strategies to prevent hypertension and kidney disease. Further studies that broaden our understanding of AMPK isoform- and tissue-specific effects on renal programming are needed to ultimately develop reprogramming strategies. Despite the fact that animal models have provided interesting results with regard to reprogramming strategies targeting AMPK signaling to protect against hypertension and kidney disease with developmental origins, these results await further clinical translation.
Peribiliary Glands as the Cellular Origin of Biliary Tract Cancer
Authors: Nakagawa Hayato , Hayata Yuki , Yamada Tomoharu , Kawamura Satoshi , Suzuki Nobumi , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: June 2018

The identification of the cellular origin of cancer is important for our understanding of the mechanisms regulating carcinogenesis, thus the cellular origin of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a current topic of interest. Although CCA has been considered to originate from biliary epithelial cells, recent studies have suggested that multiple cell types can develop into CCA. With regard to the hilar and extrahepatic bile ducts, peribiliary glands (PBGs), a potential stem cell niche of biliary epithelial cells, have attracted attention as the cellular origin of biliary tract cancer. Recent histopathological and experimental studies have suggested that some kinds of inflammation-induced CCA and intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct are more likely to originate from PBGs. During inflammation-mediated cholangiocarcinogenesis, the biliary epithelial injury-induced regenerative response by PBGs is considered a key process. Thus, in this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of cholangiocarcinogenesis from the viewpoint of inflammation and the cellular origin of CCA, especially focusing on PBGs.