bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linhaça Linum asitatissimun, Suas Características
Authors: Cosmo Bruno Marco , Cabral Ana Claudia , Pinto Luana Patrícia , Frigo Jianice Pires , Frigo Késia Damaris de Azevedo , Bonassa Gabriela
Published: December 2014

O elevado destaque que os biocombustíveis têm ganhado atualmente, como forma de reduzir o impacto ambiental gerado pelo uso dos combustíveis fósseis, tem levado a busca por mais culturas que se enquadrem como produtoras de biocombustíveis. O trabalho a seguir tem como objetivo mostrar alguns aspectos sobre a cultura da Linhaça, aspectos morfológicos, características gerais, variedades para produção, utilizações e dentro das utilizações vai o destaque na produção de bicombustíveis. Segundo a lei nº 11.097 de 13 de janeiro de 2005, a matriz energética do Brasil deve ter certas porcentagens (%) de biodiesel incluídas na composição do óleo diesel, que começam sendo opcionais e depois de datas pré-estabelecidas serão obrigatórias. É neste contexto que se buscam cada vez mais informações técnicas sobre culturas que podem ser utilizadas para este fim, e principalmente buscar culturas que, sejam de interesse aos produtores rurais, gerando renda e empregos. Neste contexto o trabalho a seguir traz informações técnicas sobre umas destas culturas: A Linhaça.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE LIPÍDIOS DE SEMENTES DE CANOLA NA REGIÃO DOS CAMPOS GERAIS, PARANÁ
Authors: Schmatz Alison Andrei , Waiga Lucas Henrique , Payret Maria Elena , Antunes Sandra Regina Masetto , Neto Pedro Henrique Weirich , Filho David De Souza Jaccoud , Neto Ayrton Berger , Antunes Augusto Celso
Published: December 2014

Uma grande variedade de oleaginosas pode ser utilizada como matéria prima na produção de biodiesel, como soja, algodão e canola entre outras. A Canola (Brassica napus) é uma espécie de oleaginosa que apresenta alto teor de lipídios, sendo largamente utilizada para esse fim em alguns países da Europa. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar os lipídios de sementes de canola cultivada em Tibagi, região dos Campos Gerais, visando uso na produção de biodiesel. Foram utilizadas sementes colhidas em lavoura comercial da safra de inverno de 2013. O sistema de extração de óleo utilizado foi extração contínua por solvente.  As propriedades dos lipídios obtidos foram determinadas com relação à massa relativa de lipídios, massa específica e  estabilidade  oxidativa,  que  tiveram  média  de  370,4 g kg-1, 873 kg m-³, e 10,01 horas, respectivamente. A composição qualitativa de ácidos graxos foi avaliada pela Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de 1H. Pelas análises foi constatada a presença de ácidos Oleico (C18:1), Linoléico (C18:2) e Linolênico (C18:3).
CENTRIFUGAÇÃO: UMA ALTERNATIVA PARA PURIFICAÇÃO DE BIODIESEL
Authors: Medeiros Janaína Fernandes , Pasa Thiago Luiz Belo , Almeida Fernanda Naiara Campos de , Gomes Maria Caroline Sérgi , Pereira Nehemias Curvelo , Lima Oswaldo Curty da Motta
Published: December 2014

Há um grande crescimento da produção de biodiesel no Brasil, que pode ser explicado pelas vantagens que o mesmo oferece e, por isso, surge a necessidade de estudos para otimização do processo de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a purificação do biodiesel por meio de centrifugação, sem a retirada prévia do etanol. Para isso, o biodiesel foi produzido por transesterificação etílica de óleo de canola utilizando hidróxido de sódio como catalisador e purificado por centrifugação sem a pré-retirada do etanol. Os resultados inicialmente obtidos mostraram que não houve separação das fases. Como alternativa, foram adicionadas ao biodiesel, diferentes concentrações de água (5 e 10 %). O melhor resultado de centrifugação foi obtido com a adição de 10% de água, para uma rotação de 2000 rpm e um tempo de 5 minutos, mostrando que a centrifugação é muito eficaz para a purificação do biodiesel.
PONTOS DE NÉVOA E FLUIDEZ EM BIODIESEL PRODUZIDO POR MISTURAS DE LIPIDIOS
Authors: Chendynski Letícia Thaís , Angilleli Karine Gomes , Ferreira Bruna Aparecida Denobi , Rodrigues Cézar Henrique Ferreira , Borsato Dionisio
Published: December 2014

O presente trabalho avaliou os pontos de névoa e fluidez de biodiesel obtidos pela reação de transesterificação de misturas de óleo de soja, gordura bovina e de ave, utilizando hidróxido de sódio como catalisador inorgânico na rota metílica. A análise de variância indicou que os modelos propostos podem ser utilizados para fins preditivos, pois foram significativos com p=0,008 e R2= 1,0000 para o Ponto de Névoa e com p= 0,0003 e R2=0,9877 para o Ponto de Fluidez. Além disso, para ambos os casos estudados, o desvio de regressão se mostrou não significativo. O valor ótimo pode ser obtido quando se utiliza 75,0% de óleo de soja, 20,0% de gordura de ave e 5,0% de gordura bovina. A modelagem utilizando o delineamento experimental de mistura simplex centroide mostrou ser eficiente e relativamente simples como estratégia de otimização podendo ser considerado de grande utilidade na pesquisa e desenvolvimento de biocombustíveis.
PRODUÇÃO DE HIDROGÊNIO A PARTIR DO ÁCIDO FÓRMICO UTILIZANDO ELETRODOS DE PLATINA, COBRE E LATÃO.
Authors: Dias Bianca Vanjura , Matheus Ana Paula Camargo , Gallina André Lazarin , Rodrigues Paulo Rogério Pinto
Published: December 2014

A preocupação mundial com a emissão de dióxido de carbono à atmosfera terrestre tem levado a exigências ambientais mais severas, e provocado o aumentado de estudos de geração de energias renováveis e menos poluentes, como por exemplo, o gás hidrogênio. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a produção do gás hidrogênio via eletrólise da solução aquosa de ácido fórmico 3 mol L-1 , utilizando como eletrodos a platina, latão e cobre. As técnicas empregadas neste trabalho foram potencial de circuito aberto, polarização potenciodinâmica catódica e microscopia óptica. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os corpos de prova de latão lixados com lixas de SiC #320 apresentaram os maiores valores de densidade de corrente catódica, consequentemente maior produção de gás hidrogênio.
Fabrication by AC Deposition and Antimicrobial Properties of Pyramidal-Shaped Cu2O-TiO2 Heterostructures
Authors: Žalnėravičius Rokas , Paškevičius Algimantas , Kovger Jelena , Jagminas Arūnas
Published: December 2014

Nanoparticulate surfaces possessing antimicrobial and fungicidal properties under visible light illumination have found wide applications in a number of fields. In this study, titania nanotubes, as well as titania compact films were designed with pure Cu2O crystals in a mildly acidic copper acetate solution using a simple alternating current (AC) deposition approach. In this way, the thermally oxidized Ti substrate was coated by densely packed pyramidal and bi-pyramidal shaped Cu2O crystals with dominant (111) planes and investigated against several types of fungi and bacteria. For comparison, TiO2 nanotube (TiNT) films were also decorated with similar crystals and tested. The results showed that, compared to bare TiO2 films, both Cu2O-in-TiNT and Cu2O-on-TiO2 heterostructures exhibited remarkably enhanced activity against tested fungi and bacteria. We also demonstrated that the high photoactivity of these crystals remained even after 50 h stability tests under bright light illumination. The results obtained from in vitro tests indicated that Cu2O-in/on-TiO2 heterostructures show promise as visible light driven antimicrobial materials.
Telling a Family Culture: Storytelling, Family Identity, and Cultural Membership
Authors: Huisman Dena
Published: December 2014

This study examines the role of public performance of private family identity through family storytelling. Using Narrative Performance Theory (Langellier & Peterson, 2006a), stories told as part of The Library of Congress’s StoryCorps project were analyzed for how families publicly told private family stories to identify themselves as a particular family as well as a culturally appropriate family in the modern United States. Five themes of cultural identity in family stories were identified. The study found that families largely focused on positive stories that portrayed the family as pro-social and happy. Negative stories focused on how the family overcame their adversities as a group. Laughter was used to minimize face-threatening stories. The construction of the group identity was framed in such a way as to connect the family group to a larger culture that values independence, self-reliance, and cohesion as a family group. The study concludes by arguing that more work should be done to understand how public and private communication in families shape our understanding of what it means to be a family.
Sex Differences and Individual Differences in Human Facilitative and Preventive Courtship
Authors: Arnocky Steven , Sunderani Shafik , Albert Graham , Norris Kate
Published: December 2014

Although cooperative mating strategies have been observed in other species, the extent to which men and women act to facilitate the mating success of others has been under-researched, especially among unrelated individuals. The present study addressed this gap in knowledge by exploring potential sex differences and individual differences in attitudes toward facilitating and preventing friends’ mating among 256 heterosexual undergraduate men and women. Results showed that women were more likely than men to express attitudes toward preventing the sexuality of friends, whereas no sex difference existed in facilitative mating. For both men and women, positive reciprocity beliefs and high self-perceived mate-value predicted positive attitudes toward facilitative mating. Among women, preventive mating was predicted by low sociosexuality and high intrasexual (within-sex) competitiveness.
Friendship Characteristics, Threat Appraisals, and Varieties of Jealousy About Romantic Partners’ Friendships
Authors: Worley Timothy R. , Samp Jennifer
Published: December 2014

This study examined the role of friendship sex composition, friendship history, and threat appraisals in the experience of jealousy about a romantic partner’s involvement in extradyadic friendships. Using a survey, 201 individuals responded to scenarios describing a romantic partner’s involvement in a significant friendship outside the romantic dyad. A partner’s involvement in a cross-sex friendship was associated with greater perceptions of threat to both the existence and quality of the romantic relationship than was a partner’s involvement in a same-sex friendship. Further, the specific forms of jealousy experienced about partners’ friendships were dependent on the threat appraisals individuals associated with the friendships. Appraisals of relational existence threat mediated the influence of friendship characteristics (i.e., sex composition and history) on sexual jealousy and companionship jealousy, while appraisals of relational quality threat mediated the influence of friendship characteristics on intimacy jealousy, power jealousy, and companionship jealousy. This study points toward the central role of threat appraisals in mediating associations between rival characteristics and various forms of jealousy about a partner’s friendships.
War, Lies, and the News Photo: Second World War Photographic Propaganda in PM’s Weekly (1940–1941)
Authors: Payne Carol
Published: December 2014

Cet article explore un épisode remarquable de l’histoire photographique et journalistique pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale : la reproduction et le traitement des images de propagande des pays de l’Axe par le journal progressiste new-yorkais PM en 1940–1941, à la veille de l’entrée des États-Unis dans le conflit. La stratégie éditoriale de PM communique tant une conscience aiguë des stratégies de propagande de l’époque qu’une forme novatrice de contre-propagande. En effet, PM a tenté d’inoculer son lectorat états-unien contre les effets de la propagande nazie et fasciste en reproduisant les mêmes images qui étaient au coeur de leurs protestations, mais en détournant leur intention originale par des légendes et des textes d’accompagnement qui attiraient l’attention sur l’artifice photographique et sur la manipulation contextuelle des images. En même temps, les rédacteurs de PM, en situant leur publication comme un guide fiable dans le dédale de vérités et de mensonges des photographies de guerre, exposaient leurs propres images de propagande photographique comme preuves de leur crédibilité, et ajoutaient ainsi une nouvelle strate de persuasion.
The Day Nobody Died, War Photography, and the Violence of the Image
Authors: Innes Randy
Published: December 2014

En juin 2008, les photographes Adam Broomberg et Oliver Chanarin étaient « embarqués » (« embedded ») au sein de l’armée britannique dans la province de Helmand en Afghanistan et ont réalisé The Day Nobody Died en réponse aux événements et aux violents incidents qui ont eu lieu pendant leur engagement. Les images de cette série ressemblent à des abstractions colorées et non à des photographies conventionnelles : alors que le papier photographique a été exposé, rien de reconnaissable n’apparaît dans les oeuvres. The Day Nobody Died est le résultat d’une négociation entre l’imaginaire créatif des artistes sur les conflits armés et les images assainies de la guerre qui découlent souvent, d’une part, des programmes d’art militaire subventionnés par l’État et, de l’autre, du journalisme d’entreprise. Les questions qu’adresse The Day Nobody Died portent tant sur le médium de la photographie en lui-même que sur la façon dont celui-ci représente la guerre. Cet essai soutient qu’en ne montrant pas la violence de la guerre de la manière photographique traditionnelle, cette série d’images entreprend un examen autoréflexif sur la pratique plus large de la photographie de guerre. Ce refus de The Day Nobody Died est une résistance à ce que Jean-Luc Nancy appelle la tendance propre à la violence de faire image en soi. Cet essai aborde les questions de violence, de guerre et d’image par le biais des travaux de Judith Butler, Jean-Luc Nancy et Geoffrey Batchen, parmi d’autres. L’auteur place The Day Nobody Died dans la tradition d’une culture visuelle critique qui est concernée par ses propres opérations et par les relations qu’elle ouvre sur le monde.
Structure of a low-population intermediate state in the release of an enzyme product
Authors: De Simone Alfonso , Aprile Francesco A , Dhulesia Anne , Dobson Christopher M , Vendruscolo Michele
Published: December 2014

Enzymes can increase the rate of biomolecular reactions by several orders of magnitude. Although the steps of substrate capture and product release are essential in the enzymatic process, complete atomic-level descriptions of these steps are difficult to obtain because of the transient nature of the intermediate conformations, which makes them largely inaccessible to standard structure determination methods. We describe here the determination of the structure of a low-population intermediate in the product release process by human lysozyme through a combination of NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. We validate this structure by rationally designing two mutations, the first engineered to destabilise the intermediate and the second to stabilise it, thus slowing down or speeding up, respectively, product release. These results illustrate how product release by an enzyme can be facilitated by the presence of a metastable intermediate with transient weak interactions between the enzyme and product.
System Design for Sustainable Energy for all. A new challenging role for design to foster sustainable development
Authors: Vezzoli Carlo , Delfino Emanuela , Ambole Lorraine Amollo
Published: December 2014

This paper argues that Product-Service System Design for Sustainability applied to Distributed Renewable Energy DRE) is a promising approach to help achieve the goal of “Sustainable energy for all” (United Nation). Firstly, two understandings are presented: 1) Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) is a key leverage for sustainable development and; 2) Product-Service System (PSS) is a promising model for sustainable development. Based on those understandings two consequent research hypotheses are presented: 1) S.PSS is a promising model for DRE and is particularly relevant for the distributed and informal economies in low-middle income (all) contexts; 2) (Product-Service) System Design for Sustainable energy for all is a new challenging role for design. The recently awarded LeNSes (Learning Network on Sustainable energy system) EU project (bi-regional with Africa) is based on these hypotheses and it is introduced in terms of its aims and expected results, i.e. to deepen and diffuse the knowledge-base and know-how of system design for sustainable energy for all. Finally, two best practices of DRE-based S.PSS are described, one is the recently awarded (2014 International Ashden) project ‘M-POWER Off-grid electric services in Arusha, Tanzania’ and the second is the pilot implementation of the ‘Sunride sustainable mobility system in Cape Town’.
Nanoseismicity and picoseismicity rate changes from static stress triggering caused by a Mw 2.2 earthquake in Mponeng gold mine, South Africa
Authors: Kozłowska Maria , Orlecka‐Sikora Beata , Kwiatek Grzegorz , Boettcher Margaret S. , Dresen Georg
Published: December 2014

Static stress changes following large earthquakes are known to affect the rate and distribution of aftershocks, yet this process has not been thoroughly investigated for nanoseismicity and picoseismicity at centimeter length scales. Here we utilize a unique data set of M ≥ −3.4 earthquakes following a Mw 2.2 earthquake in Mponeng gold mine, South Africa, that was recorded during a quiet interval in the mine to investigate if rate‐ and state‐based modeling is valid for shallow, mining‐induced seismicity. We use Dieterich's (1994) rate‐ and state‐dependent formulation for earthquake productivity, which requires estimation of four parameters: (1) Coulomb stress changes due to the main shock, (2) the reference seismicity rate, (3) frictional resistance parameter, and (4) the duration of aftershock relaxation time. Comparisons of the modeled spatiotemporal patterns of seismicity based on two different source models with the observed distribution show that while the spatial patterns match well, the rate of modeled aftershocks is lower than the observed rate. To test our model, we used three metrics of the goodness‐of‐fit evaluation. The null hypothesis, of no significant difference between modeled and observed seismicity rates, was only rejected in the depth interval containing the main shock. Results show that mining‐induced earthquakes may be followed by a stress relaxation expressed through aftershocks located on the rupture plane and in regions of positive Coulomb stress change. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the main features of the temporal and spatial distributions of very small, mining‐induced earthquakes can be successfully determined using rate‐ and state‐based stress modeling.
Climate change impacts on wave and surge processes in a Pacific Northwest (USA) estuary
Authors: Cheng T. K. , Hill D. F. , Beamer J. , García‐Medina G.
Published: December 2014

Total water levels (TWLs) within estuaries are influenced by tides, wind, offshore waves, and streamflow, all of which are uniquely affected by climate change. The magnitude of TWL associated with various return periods is relevant to understanding how the hydrodynamics of a bay or estuary may evolve under distinct climate scenarios. A methodology for assessing the hydrodynamic response of a small estuary under major boundary condition perturbations is presented in this study. The coupled Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) and Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model was used to simulate wave and water elevation conditions within Tillamook Bay, OR, USA for two long‐term scenarios; 1979–1998 and 2041–2060. The model output provided multidecadal time series of TWLs for statistical analysis. Regional climate data from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) were used to drive streamflow modeling (MicroMet/SnowModel/HydroFlow) and meteorological forcing within ADCIRC‐SWAN. WAVEWATCH III, which was forced with global climate data from the Community Climate Science Model (CCSM, a contributing model to NARCCAP), was used to produce open boundary wave forcing. Latitudinal and seasonal gradients were found in TWLs associated with varying return periods for both the hindcast and forecast. Changes in TWLs from hindcast to forecast included the sea level rise component and were also modulated by changes in boundary conditions.
A connection between the tropical Pacific Ocean and the winter climate in the Asian‐Pacific region
Authors: Jia XiaoJing , Wang Su , Lin Hai , Bao Qing
Published: December 2014

The impact of the tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly on the winter mean surface air temperature (SAT) in the Asian‐Pacific region is investigated during the period from 1948 to 2008 using both observations and a linear baroclinic model (LBM). A singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis is conducted between the 500 hPa geopotential height (Z500) over the Northern Hemisphere and the SST over the tropical Pacific Ocean to obtain the large‐scale atmospheric patterns related to tropical Pacific SST. Focus is given to the second pair of SVD mode (SVD2) which bears some similarities in the Z500 field to the Arctic Oscillation over the North Atlantic sector and can impact the SAT over a larger area of Asian‐Pacific. In the winter of a positive SVD2 the SAT over the midlatitude to high‐latitude Asian continent, the Arctic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the western subtropical Pacific Ocean tends to be warmer than normal, while the North Pacific Ocean around the Bering Strait is abnormally cold, and vice versa. Examination of the associated surface general circulation shows that a positive SVD2 tends to shift the Siberian High southward and the Aleutian Low eastward resulting in anomalous weak pressure gradient between the Asian continent the North Pacific. Anomalous positive sea level pressure anomalies around Japan and southerly wind along the east coast of the Asian continent are observed. At the same time, the East Asian trough at midtroposphere becomes weaker than normal and the East Asian westerly jet stream is increased in magnitudes and shifted northward. The analysis of the wave activity flux and result of idealized numerical experiments show a possible influence of the western tropical Pacific SST forcing on the SVD2.
Estimation of direct, diffuse, and total FPARs from Landsat surface reflectance data and ground‐based estimates over six FLUXNET sites
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Fang Hongliang
Published: December 2014

The fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by green elements (FPAR) is an essential climate variable in quantifying canopy absorbed PAR (APAR) and gross and net primary production. Current satellite FPAR products typically correspond to black‐sky FPAR under direct illumination only, but the radiation transfer and vegetation absorption processes differ for direct and diffuse PARs. To address this, the present study developed a new approach to estimate direct, diffuse, and total FPARs, separately, from Landsat surface reflectance data. Field‐measured direct and diffuse FPARs were first derived for crops, deciduous broadleaf forests, and evergreen needleleaf forests at six FLUXNET sites. Then, a coupled soil‐leaf‐canopy radiative transfer model (SLC) was used to simulate surface reflectance under direct and diffuse illumination conditions. Direct, diffuse, and total FPARs were estimated by comparing Landsat‐5 Thematic Mapper (TM) data and simulated surface reflectances using a lookup table approach. The differences between the Landsat‐estimated and the field‐measured FPARs are less than 0.05 (10%). The diffuse FPAR is higher than the direct FPAR by up to 19.38%, whereas the total FPAR is larger than the direct FPAR by up to 16.07%. The direct APAR is higher than the diffuse APAR under clear‐sky conditions, but underestimates the total APAR by −277.72 µmol s−1 m−2 on average. The approach described here can be extended to estimate direct, diffuse, and total FPARs from other satellite data and the obtained FPAR variables could be helpful to improve modeling of vegetation processes.
Surface Charge Reversal Method for High‐Resolution Inkjet Printing of Functional Water‐Based Inks
Authors: Cobas Raiden , Muñoz‐Pérez Susset , Cadogan Sean , Ridgway Mark C. , Obradors Xavier
Published: December 2014

Printed electronics is a rapidly growing area of research being explored for the manufacture of large‐area and cost‐effective electronic devices by the patterned application of functional inks. There are challenges associated with processing the inks compatible with inkjet printing technology and developing efficient methods to successfully obtain the desired features, particularly when it comes to metal and metal–organic complex inks. Here, a reliable method is developed to achieve a sophisticated microstructured pattern using the inkjet printing technique assisted by a surface charge reversal effect. In addition, a procedure is formulated to obtain good quality, stable metal–organic water‐based inks compatible with salts of a variety of transition metals and rare earths, without the need for additional volatile solvents. A feasible and water‐based ink formulation combined with a simple and noninvasive surface charge reversal treatment constitutes a major step toward the manufacture of high‐resolution, inorganic patterned thin films on hydrophobic substrates using inkjet printing. These outcomes lead to the path of effective fusion of inorganic and organic heterointerfaces by simples designing and printing.
Angular momentum and arboreal stability in common marmosets (Callithrixjacchus)
Authors: Chadwell Brad A. , Young Jesse W.
Published: December 2014

Despite the importance that concepts of arboreal stability have in theories of primate locomotor evolution, we currently lack measures of balance performance during primate locomotion. We provide the first quantitative data on locomotor stability in an arboreal primate, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), predicting that primates should maximize arboreal stability by minimizing side‐to‐side angular momentum about the support (i.e.,Lsup). If netLsupbecomes excessive, the animal will be unable to arrest its angular movement and will fall. Using a novel, highly integrative experimental procedure we directly measured whole‐bodyLsupin two adult marmosets moving along narrow (2.5 cm diameter) and broad (5 cm diameter) poles. Marmosets showed a strong preference for asymmetrical gaits (e.g., gallops and bounds) over symmetrical gaits (e.g., walks and runs), with asymmetrical gaits representing >90% of all strides. Movement on the narrow support was associated with an increase in more “grounded” gaits (i.e., lacking an aerial phase) and a more even distribution of torque production between the fore‐ and hind limbs. These adjustments in gait dynamics significantly reduced netLsupon the narrow support relative to the broad support. Despite their lack of a well‐developed grasping apparatus, marmosets proved adept at producing muscular “grasping” torques about the support, particularly with the hind limbs. We contend that asymmetrical gaits permit small‐bodied arboreal mammals, including primates, to expand “effective grasp” by gripping the substrate between left and right limbs of a girdle. This model of arboreal stability may hold important implications for understanding primate locomotor evolution. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:565–576, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Xenotransplantation exposes the etiology of azoospermia factor (AZF) induced male sterility
Authors: Barr Justinn , Gordon Daniel , Schedl Paul , Deshpande Girish
Published: December 2014

Ramathal et al. have employed an elegant xenotransplantation technique to study the fate of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from fertile males and from males carrying Y chromosome deletions of the azoospermia factor (AZF) region. When placed in a mouse testis niche, hiPSCs from fertile males differentiate into germ cell‐like cells (GCLCs). Highlighting the crucial role of cell autonomous factors in male sterility, hiPSCs derived from azoospermic males prove to be less successful under similar circumstances. Their studies argue that the agametic “Sertoli cell only” phenotype of two of the AZF deletions likely arises from a defect in the maintenance of germline stem cells (GSCs) rather than from a defect in their specification. These observations underscore the importance of the dialogue between the somatic niche and its inhabitant stem cells, and open up interesting questions concerning the functioning of the somatic niche and how it communicates to the GSCs.
Expression patterns of transcription factor PPARγ and C/EBP family members during in vitro adipogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Zhao Xiao‐Yi , Chen Xiao‐Yong , Zhang Zi‐Ji , Kang Yan , Liao Wei‐Ming , Yu Wei‐Hua , Xiang Andy Peng
Published: December 2014

In the past decades increasing lines of evidence have demonstrated that adipose tissue, as an endocrine organ plays a central role in metabolic homeostasis and its related maladies. CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP) family members and the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) were known to be the vital transcription factors in the regulation of adipogenesis. However, the exact mechanism for increased marrow fat in patients with bone metabolic diseases, such as osteoporosis, is still poorly understood. Herein, we studied the expression pattern of PPARγ and C/EBPs in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSC) adipogenesis and evaluated the effects of individual components of an adipogenic cocktail on the differentiation and transcription factor expression. We furthermore examined whether the ERK signaling pathway was involved in mediating these effects. These findings showed that C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ were detected in undifferentiated hBMSC and maintained during the whole process of adipogenesis, and could initiate the expression of PPARγ1 under the treatment of dexamethasone and IBMX. Subsequently, the activation of PPARγ1 by indomethacin, its exogenous ligand, activated C/EBPα, which, together with IBMX, up‐regulated PPARγ2 expression and therefore the fullest adipogenesis. Insulin and its downstream signal pathway extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK), however, were found not necessary for hBMSC adipogenesis. Our results revealed some unique characteristics of human adipocyte formation, which may help to understand the molecular mechanisms of bone marrow adipogenesis and give insights into the treatment of osteoporosis.
LEAD ‐ Leadership effectiveness, motivation, and culture in Africa: Lessons from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda
Authors: Senaji Thomas Anyanje , Metwally Elham , Sejjaaka Samuel , Puplampu Bill Buenar , Michaud James , Adedoyin‐Rasaq Hassan
Published: December 2014

This exploratory study considers an African perspective on leadership behaviour and motivation in Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda using the Delphi Technique with a small sample of corporate, community, and religious leaders. Focus group sessions with working people (nonleaders) then followed. The findings indicate that vision, commitment, honesty, goal‐orientation, and humour were descriptors of effective leadership. Further, it was found that the quest for justice, extrinsic benefits, and service to community motivated leaders, while extrinsic rewards and the need to achieve motivated followers. This research contributes to understanding leadership effectiveness and motivation from an African context and informs both scholarship and practice in these areas. Copyright © 2014 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of formestane abuse by mass spectrometric techniques
Authors: de la Torre Xavier , Colamonici Cristiana , Curcio Davide , Jardines Daniel , Molaioni Francesco , Parr Maria Kristina , Botrè Francesco
Published: December 2014

Formestane (4‐hydroxy‐androstenedione) is an aromatase inhibitor prohibited in sports and included, since 2004, in the list of prohibited substances updated yearly by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA). Since the endogenous production of formestane has been described, it is mandatory for the anti‐doping laboratories to use isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to establish the exogenous origin before issuing an adverse analytical finding. The described IRMS methods for formestane detection are time‐consuming, requiring usually two consecutive liquid chromatographic sample purifications in order to have final extracts of adequate purity before the mass spectrometric analysis. After establishing a procedure for the determination of the origin of formestane by IRMS without the need of derivatization, and integrated in the overall analytical strategy of the laboratory for pseudo‐endogenous steroids, a mass spectrometric analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) of formestane metabolites was carried out in order to investigate whether other biomarkers of formestane abuse could be integrated in order to avoid time‐consuming and expensive IRMS confirmations for formestane. From the metabolic studies performed, the inclusion of 3β,4α‐dihydroxy‐5α‐androstan‐17‐one (4α‐hydroxy‐epiandosterone) in the routine GC‐MS procedures has demonstrated to be diagnostic in order to reduce the number of unnecessary confirmations of the endogenous origin of formestane. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Projecting the impacts of rising seawater temperatures on the distribution of seaweeds around Japan under multiple climate change scenarios
Authors: Takao Shintaro , Kumagai Naoki H. , Yamano Hiroya , Fujii Masahiko , Yamanaka Yasuhiro
Published: December 2014

Seaweed beds play a key role in providing essential habitats and energy to coastal areas, with enhancements in productivity and biodiversity and benefits to human societies. However, the spatial extent of seaweed beds around Japan has decreased due to coastal reclamation, water quality changes, rising water temperatures, and heavy grazing by herbivores. Using monthly mean sea surface temperature (SST) data from 1960 to 2099 and SST‐based indices, we quantitatively evaluated the effects of warming seawater on the spatial extent of suitable versus unsuitable habitats for temperate seaweed Ecklonia cava, which is predominantly found in southern Japanese waters. SST data were generated using the most recent multiple climate projection models and emission scenarios (the Representative Concentration Pathways or RCPs) used in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). In addition, grazing by Siganus fuscescens, an herbivorous fish, was evaluated under the four RCP simulations. Our results suggest that continued warming may drive a poleward shift in the distribution of E. cava, with large differences depending on the climate scenario. For the lowest emission scenario (RCP2.6), most existing E. cava populations would not be impacted by seawater warming directly but would be adversely affected by intensified year‐round grazing. For the highest emission scenario (RCP8.5), previously suitable habitats throughout coastal Japan would become untenable for E. cava by the 2090s, due to both high‐temperature stress and intensified grazing. Our projections highlight the importance of not only mitigating regional warming due to climate change, but also protecting E. cava from herbivores to conserve suitable habitats on the Japanese coast.
Writing‐State Classification by Ambient Sedentary Behavior Sensing in Desk Work
Authors: Matsumoto Shohei , Wataya Ryo , Iwai Daisuke , Sato Kosuke
Published: December 2014

This paper presents a technique for writing‐state classification by sedentary behavior sensing with a sensor‐equipped chair, which wirelessly monitors the user's states such as behaviors or physiological and psychological conditions, for estimation of the user's subjective difficulty with a studying problem on a desktop. Avoiding user discomfort, four load cells are mounted behind the seat plate of a regular office chair. The system simply measures the weight and the center of pressure of the seat. These data are divided into time segments, which are labeled into four sedentary–body sway primitives by the decision tree algorithm, and then the behaviors are derived from the number and pitch of those primitives in a certain interval. In system‐evaluation experiments, it achieved more than 80% labeling accuracy for untrained users. We conducted a user experiment showing its potential for desk work applications. The results of the experiment showed that our proposed system could classify user states into the writing state and other states such as reading a document and watching a movie at a classification rate of 87%.
Photoacoustic Signals of Depletion Layer Spread Beneath Metal Electrode in Metal/Semiconductor Structure
Authors: Murakami Masahiko , Takabatake Nobuya , Sato Kazunori , Arai Toshihiko
Published: December 2014

The photoacoustic (PA) signal from the depletion layer beneath the metal electrode in a metal/semiconductor (M/S) structure was detected using the PA method. To measure the reverse‐bias voltage dependence of distribution of the PA signal from the depletion layer, the surface of the electrode was illuminated and scanned by an intensity‐modulated optical beam. It was found that the PA signal phase differences between depletion layer formation and the absence of a depletion layer were dependent on depletion layer spreading. One‐dimensional scanning of the electrode also revealed that spreading of the depletion layer extends from the edges of the electrode.
Dynamic Routing Control Based on Information Priority and Its Application to Monitoring Sensor Networks
Authors: Nakagawa Yoshitsugu , Irizuki Yasuharu
Published: December 2014

A routing method with dynamic channel selection in wireless sensor networks is an effective way to specify a route. It is different from communication between nodes in a common channel and is able to transmit data including attribute information. In this case, nodes located in the middle of a route use different channels, normal communication between nodes is temporarily interrupted, and throughput decreases as a result. For applications to be built by another wireless network, this method holds promise as an effective communication traffic–control method for situations such as emergency information that must be sent immediately. In this paper we propose a time‐division communication system that can give priority rights to data transmission including attribute information by adding a priority information component to the transmission data packet. This method has the rule that routers temporarily string together as relay nodes in the priority path, and other relay nodes not on the path pause while the priority path is active.
Fatty acid moieties have little effect on cholesterol‐lowering potency of plant sterol esters
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Guan Lei , Zhao Youyou , Lei Lin , Wang Xiaobo , Ma Ka Ying , Li Yuk Man , Wang Lijun , Man Sun Wa , Wang Junkuan , Huang Yu , Chen Zhen‐Yu
Published: December 2014

Plant sterol esters are the popular cholesterol‐lowering dietary supplements. In order to understand the role of fatty acid moieties in the cholesterol‐lowering activity of plant sterol esters, the present study was to: (i) compare the cholesterol‐lowering activity of sterol esters of sunflower oil (SSF) with that of sterol esters of canola oil (SCO); and (ii) to systematically investigate the effect of SSF and SCO on the gene expression of sterol transporters, enzymes, receptors and proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism in hamsters fed a high cholesterol diet. GC analysis showed that SSF and SCO had similar sterol profile but they had different fatty acid moieties. Results showed both SSF and SCO could equally reduce plasma cholesterol in a dose‐dependent manner. Both SSF and SCO could inhibit the cholesterol absorption and enhance the excretion of bile acids. In the similar ways, dietary SSF and SCO could up‐regulate hepatic cholesterol‐7α‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and down‐regulate intestinal sterol transporter Niemann‐Pick C1‐like 1 (NPC1L1), acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) and hepatic 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMG‐CoA reductase). It was concluded that the fatty acid moieties had little effect on the cholesterol‐lowering activity of SSF and SCO.

Practical applications: Plant sterols are effective in reducing plasma cholesterol. Commercially, plant sterol esters of sunflower oil and plant sterol esters of canola oil are mostly used for this purpose. The present study found that SSF and SCO were equally effective in reducing plasma cholesterol in a dose‐dependent manner regardless the significant difference in their fatty acid compositions.

Fatty acid moieties have little effect on cholesterol‐lowering potency of plant sterol esters.
Solving the Savage–Hutter equations for granular avalanche flows with a second‐order Godunov type method on GPU
Authors: Zhai Jian , Yuan Li , Liu Wei , Zhang Xinting
Published: December 2014

In this article, we apply Davis's second‐order predictor‐corrector Godunov type method to numerical solution of the Savage–Hutter equations for modeling granular avalanche flows. The method uses monotone upstream‐centered schemes for conservation laws (MUSCL) reconstruction for conservative variables and Harten–Lax–van Leer contact (HLLC) scheme for numerical fluxes. Static resistance conditions and stopping criteria are incorporated into the algorithm. The computation is implemented on graphics processing unit (GPU) by using compute unified device architecture programming model. A practice of allocating memory for two‐dimensional array in GPU is given and computational efficiency of two‐dimensional memory allocation is compared with one‐dimensional memory allocation. The effectiveness of the present simulation model is verified through several typical numerical examples. Numerical tests show that significant speedups of the GPU program over the CPU serial version can be obtained, and Davis's method in conjunction with MUSCL and HLLC schemes is accurate and robust for simulating granular avalanche flows with shock waves. As an application example, a case with a teardrop‐shaped hydraulic jump in Johnson and Gray's granular jet experiment is reproduced by using specific friction coefficients given in the literature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protecting the airway and the physician: Aspects of litigation arising from tracheotomy
Authors: Farida Jeremy P. , Lawrence Lauren A. , Svider Peter F. , Shkoukani Mahdi A. , Zuliani Giancarlo F. , Folbe Adam J. , Carron Michael A.
Published: December 2014

Background

In recent decades, medical malpractice costs have increased and have led to a change in the way physicians practice medicine. Tracheotomies are cases in which complications have a high risk of morbidity and mortality and the potential for litigation.

Methods

The Westlaw legal database was used to gather data on 43 jury verdicts and settlements from 1987 to 2013. Various factors included outcome, defendant specialty, and the reason for litigation.

Results

Median settlements were $500,000 and median verdict awards were $2,000,000. Postoperative negligence was alleged most often (81%) followed by intraoperative negligence (27.9%) and permanent injury (18.6%). Otolaryngologists were named as defendants most often (25.6%), with nurses named second most often. Pediatric cases had significantly higher awards and were more often named in favor of the plaintiff.

Conclusion

An awareness of tracheotomy malpractice litigation has the potential to both help physicians avoid future litigation and improve patient safety. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 751–754, 2016
The organization of AMPA receptor subunits at the postsynaptic membrane
Authors: Jacob Amanda L. , Weinberg Richard J.
Published: December 2014

AMPA receptors are the principal mediators of excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian central nervous system. The subunit composition of these tetrameric receptors helps to define their functional properties, and may also influence the synaptic trafficking implicated in long‐term synaptic plasticity. However, the organization of AMPAR subunits within the synapse remains unclear. Here, we use postembedding immunogold electron microscopy to study the synaptic organization of AMPAR subunits in stratum radiatum of CA1 hippocampus in the adult rat. We find that GluA1 concentrates away from the center of the synapse, extending at least 25 nm beyond the synaptic specialization; in contrast, GluA3 is uniformly distributed along the synapse, and seldom extends beyond its lateral border. The fraction of extrasynaptic GluA1 is markedly higher in small than in large synapses; no such effect is seen for GluA3. These observations imply that different kinds of AMPARs are differently trafficked to and/or anchored at the synapse. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ginsenoside Re protects methamphetamine‐induced mitochondrial burdens and proapoptosis via genetic inhibition of protein kinase C δ in human neuroblastoma dopaminergic SH‐SY5Y cell lines
Authors: Nam Yunsung , Wie Myung Bok , Shin Eun‐Joo , Nguyen Thuy‐Ty Lan , Nah Seung‐Yeol , Ko Sung Kwon , Jeong Ji Hoon , Jang Choon‐Gon , Kim Hyoung‐Chun
Published: December 2014

Recently, we have demonstrated that ginsenoside Re protects methamphetamine (MA)‐induced dopaminergic toxicity in mice via genetic inhibition of PKCδ and attenuation of mitochondrial stress. In addition, we have reported that induction of mitochondrial glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is also important for neuroprotection mediated by ginsenoside Re. To extend our knowledge, we examined the effects of ginsenoside Re against MA toxicityin vitrocondition using SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Treatment with ginsenoside Re resulted in significant attenuations against a decrease in the activity of GPx and an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cytosolic and mitochondrial fraction. The changes in glutathione (GSH) paralleled those in GPx in the same experimental condition. Consistently, ginsenoside Re treatment exhibited significant protections against cytosolic and mitochondrial oxidative damage (i.e. lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation), mitochondrial translocation of PKCδ, mitochondrial dysfunction (mitochondrial transmembrane potential and intra‐mitochondrial Ca2+), apoptotic events [i.e., cytochrome c release from mitochondria, cleavage of caspase‐3 and poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase‐1, nuclear condensation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL)‐positive apoptotic cells], and a reduction in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and TH activity induced by MA in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These protective effects of ginsenoside Re were comparable to those of PKCδ antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). However, ginsenoside Re did not significantly provide additional protective effects mediated by genetic inhibition of PKCδ. Our results suggest that PKCδ is a specific target for ginsenoside Re‐mediated protective activity against MA toxicity in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.