bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESTRATÉGIAS DE EDUCAÇÃO PARA A SUSTENTABILIDADE: UMA ABORDAGEM PEDAGÓGICA COMPARATIVA ENTRE AS PRINCIPAIS ESTRATÉGIAS ADOTADAS EM RECIFE - PERNAMBUCO
Authors: Santos Isabela Michelly Gomes , Da Silva Priscylla Dos Santos , Lyra Marília Regina Costa Castro , Frutuoso Maria Nubia Medeiros de Araujo
Published: February 2021

Os impactos gerados nos ultimos anos vem causando grandes degradações ao ecossistema, como aquecimento global, mudanças climáticas, escassez de água potável e resíduos sólidos. Para garantir um futuro melhor para o planeta, e seus habitantes, a educação ambiental vem a facilitar o processo de ensino e aprendizagem, através de ações em que os alunos trabalham de forma lúdica, estimulando a curiosidade e o conhecimento. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste artigo é explorar as principais estratégias de Educação Ambiental adotadas em Pernambuco, analisando sua metodologia e processo. Desta forma, visando discutir e apresentar a relevância dos projetos, COMVIDA, Educar para uma Cidade Sustentável e adoção de Econúcleos,  em prol da construção do conhecimento e da conservação do meio ambiente por meio do aperfeiçoamento de instrumentos que potencialize as ações de Educação Ambiental.
O SISTEMA DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL DO EXÉRCITO BRASILEIRO: CASO DO 7° BATALHÃO DE ENGENHARIA DE COMBATE DE NATAL/RN
Authors: Lucena Tiago Andrade Batista de , Câmara Alice Barros , Nunes Mariana Medeiros
Published: February 2021

A Gestão Ambiental (GA) busca a melhoria da qualidade das atividades, serviços, produtos e ambiente de trabalho de qualquer organização pública ou privada. O presente trabalho tem por finalidade verificar os benefícios ocorridos em uma Organização Militar (OM) com a implantação de atitudes sustentáveis, identificando os aspectos econômicos, sociais e ambientais que possibilitaram diagnosticar o desempenho ambiental da instituição. O trabalho também possui como objetivo apresentar procedimentos para elaborar e executar um Plano de Gestão Ambiental (PGA) dentro de uma OM. A metodologia aplicada se consistiu em uma pesquisa de campo e um estudo de caso no 7º Batalhão de Engenharia de Combate (7º BE Cmb), localizado em Natal (RN). Foram utilizados indicadores de desempenho ambiental, tais como controle de pesagem de resíduos sólidos, certificados de coleta de materiais recicláveis, certificados de coleta de óleo lubrificante, registros da medição da energia elétrica e manifestos de recolhimento de lâmpadas, pilhas e baterias. Pode-se constatar que as medidas socioambientais implantadas no 7º BE Cmb resultaram na otimização dos recursos naturais e bens públicos.
RELAÇÃO DAS DESPESAS DO GOVERNO FEDERAL COM SANEAMENTO BÁSICO, GESTÃO AMBIENTAL, CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA SOBRE A SAÚDE DA POPULAÇÃO BRASILEIRA
Authors: Valeretto Gerson João , Scherer Gustavo , Souza Gabriela Moreira , Noriller Rafael Martins , Silva Josimar Pires , Meurer Rodrigo Malta
Published: February 2021

O objetivo do artigo é analisar qual a influência das despesas liquidadas com: saneamento básico, gestão ambiental e ciência & tecnologia sobre as despesas com promoção, proteção, recuperação e manutenção da saúde da População Brasileira. As variáveis analisadas correspondem ao período de 2000 a 2017.  Foi adotada a premissa de que quanto maiores forem os valores das despesas com saneamento, gestão ambiental e ciência e tecnologia, maiores serão as probabilidades de haver a redução das despesas com a População Brasileira. Os resultados apontam que, variáveis “Despesas Liquidadas com a Gestão Ambiental” e “Despesas Liquidadas com Ciência e Tecnologia” apresentaram relação positiva e significativa a 10% com Despesas com Saúde.
Misconceptions and traditional practices toward infant teething symptoms among mothers in eastern Sudan
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed A. , Salih Karimeldin M. , Al-Nafeesah Abdullah , Adam Ishag , Hassan Bahaeldin A.
Published: February 2021

There is no much published data on the mothers’ false beliefs about signs and symptoms associated with teething in Sudan. Aim: This cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted to assess mothers` knowledge about infant teething process and to evaluate mothers’ practices used to alleviate teething disturbances in Gadarif city, eastern Sudan. Methods: Questionnaires were used to collect data. Multivariate logistics regression models were performed and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results/Conclusion: Of a total of 384 participating mothers, 126 (32.8%) had good knowledge about infant teething. The mothers’ knowledge was associated with a higher number of children in the family (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.14) and with having a job (AOR = 2.22). Mothers residing in rural areas (AOR = 0.40) and mothers with lower than secondary education (AOR = 0.43) were less likely to have good knowledge about teething. Diarrhea (88.5%), fever (86.5%), an urge to bite (76.6%), and poor appetite (71.9%) were the signs and symptoms most attributed to teething by mothers. Only the mother’s knowledge about teething was associated with reporting fever as a sign. A considerable number (317; 82.6%) of mothers reported performing “Dokhan” (acacia wood smoke), 313 (81.5%) preferred to administer paracetamol or other systemic analgesics, 262 (68.2%) agreed that a child with tooth eruption should be taken to a hospital or health center, and 216 (56.3%) believed that antibiotics relieved symptoms related to teething.
Caries experience in children under 5 years old in the Xingu indigenous park in Brazil
Authors: Guisilini Alana Cristina , Bulgareli Jaqueline Vilela , Guerra Luciane Miranda , Pereira Antonio Carlos , Cunha Inara Pereira da , Lemos Pablo Natanael , Possobon Rosana de Fátima , Cortellazzi Karine Laura
Published: February 2021

Aim: The present study sought to investigate dental caries experience and its association with sociodemographic, postnatal and breastfeeding variables in children in the agerange from 6 to 71 months of age, in the Xingu Indigenous Park, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study that used secondary data pertaining to 402 indigenous children of the Low, Middle and Eastern Xingu regions, who participated in the Oral Health Epidemiological Survey in 2013. The dependent variable was dental caries, dichotomized by the median (dmf-t≤1 and dmf-t>1). The data of independent variables were obtained by means of instruments of the Local Health Information System of the Xingu Indigenous Special Sanitary District (DSEI). Raw analyses were performed to test the association of the independent variables with the dependent variable. The variables were tested in the multiple logistic regression model. Results: The mean value of the dmf-t index was 2.60 and the prevalence of affected children was 51%. In the multiple analysis, only children older than 36 months (OR: 6.64; CI95%: 4.11 to 10.73) and those that were breastfed for a longer period of time (OR: 1.88; CI95%: 1.16 to 3.02) showed significant association with the dmf-t>1 index. Conclusion: Childhood dental caries among indigenous children was associated with age and breastfeeding prolonged for over 26 months, therefore, pointing out the need to offer dental follow-up care at earlier ages.
DOĞA-KENT-SANAT İLİŞKİSİ BAĞLAMINDA EYMİR GÖLÜ'NDE ARAZİ SANATI UYGULAMALARI
Authors: BİLİR Ayşe
Published: February 2021

Bu araştırma, doğa-kent-insan bütünleşmesini engelleyen sorunların sanat yoluyla fark edilmesine katkı sağlamayı, sanatın duyarlık geliştirmedeki etkisiyle çevre bilincinin artırılmasını desteklemeyi ve teşvik etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Doğa ve insan arasındaki organik ilişkinin güçlendirilmesinde yarar sağlayacağı düşüncesiyle farklı disiplinlerde öğrenim görmekte olan üniversite öğrencilerinin katılımcı olduğu bir grupla arazi sanatı uygulamaları yapılmıştır. Uygulamalar, son yıllarda gelişme adı altında hızla artan kentsel büyümenin, doğal alanları işgal ettiği konusunda endişelere neden olan Ankara’ya en yakın doğal mekânlardan biri olarak bilinen ve arazisi Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi’ne ait olan Eymir Gölü’nde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Uygulamalar, ODTÜ Mezunlar Derneği’nin Eymir Doğasını Koruma Komisyonu’nun düzenlediği “Eymir Doğal Kalsın” etkinlikleri kapsamında planlanmıştır. Katılımcıların doğayı, çevreyi temsil eden imgeler yerine, doğal malzemeleri kullanarak ve doğal süreçleri gözlemleyerek doğayı doğrudan deneyimlemelerine olanak sağlanmıştır. Ortaya çıkan çalışmalarda katılımcıların, doğa-insan-sanat-kent ilişkisi açısından, doğal yaşamın önemini kavrayışları ve bunu arazi sanatının öğretici olmadan, yaratıcı ve açık uçlu okumalara olanak sağlayan özelliği ile yansıtılabildikleri görülmektedir. Fotoğraflanarak kaydedilen uygulamalar bir sergi ile, daha çok kişiyi konuya duyarlı olmaya yöneltmek ve önlemler alınması için toplumsal dirençler oluşturmaya katkı sağlamak düşüncesiyle, izleyicilerle de paylaşılmıştır.
Improving Absorption in Single Silicon Nanowires by Symmetry-breaking Design from Square to Rectangular Cross-section
Authors: Liu Wenfu
Published: February 2021

Light absorption in single nanowires (NWs) is one of the most crucial factors for photovoltaic applications. In this paper, we carried out a detailed investigation of light absorption in single rectangular NWs (RNWs). We show that the RNWs exhibit improved light absorption compared with the square NWs (SNWs), which can be attributed to the symmetry-breaking structure that can increase the light path length by increasing the vertical side and the enhanced leaky mode resonances (LMRs) by decreasing the horizontal side. We found that the light absorption in silicon RNWs can be enhanced by engineering the horizontal and vertical sides, the photocurrent is significantly increased by 276.5% or 82.9% compared with that of the SNWs with the same side length as the horizontal side of 100 nm or the vertical side of 1000 nm, respectively. This work provides an effective way for designing high-efficiency single NW photovoltaic devices based on the symmetry breaking from the SNWs to RNWs.
Comparison of Two Commercial Recirculated Aquacultural Systems and Their Microbial Potential in Plant Disease Suppression
Authors: Khalil Sammar , Panda Preeti , Ghadamgahi Farideh , Rosberg AnnaKarin , Vetukuri Ramesh R
Published: February 2021

Background: Aquaponics are food production systems advocated for food security and health. Their sustainability from a nutritional and plant health perspective is, however, a significant challenge. Recirculated aquaculture systems (RAS) form a major part of aquaponic systems, but knowledge about their potential to benefit plant growth and plant health is limited. The current study tested if the diversity and function of microbial communities in two commercial RAS were specific to the fish species used (Tilapia or Clarias) and sampling site (fish tanks and wastewaters), and whether they confer benefits to plants and have invitro antagonistic potential towards plant pathogens. Results: Microbial diversity and composition was found to be dependent on fish species and sample site. The Tilapia RAS hosted higher bacterial diversity than the Clarias RAS; but the latter hosted higher fungal diversity. Both Tilapia and Clarias RAS hosted bacterial and fungal communities that promoted plant growth, inhibited plant pathogens and encouraged biodegradation. The production of extracellular enzymes, related to nutrient availability and pathogen control, by bacterial strains isolated from the Tilapia and Clarias systems, makes them a promising tool in aquaponics and in their system design. Conclusions: This study explored the microbial potential of the commercial RAS with either Tilapia or Clarias as a tool to benefit the aquaponic system with respect to plant growth promotion and control of plant diseases.
Nursery Culture of Mud Crab, Genus Scylla, a Review: The Current Progress and Future Directions
Authors: Syafaat Muhammad Nur , Azra Mohamad Nor , Waiho Khor , Abol-Munafi Ambok Bolong , Syahnon Mohammad , Azmie Ghazali , Ma Hongyu , Ikhwanuddin Mhd
Published: February 2021

This study attempted to explain the definition, objectives, and key stages in mud crab nursery activities. The nursery stages of Scylla spp was started from megalopa stage to several crablet instar stages or started from earlier crablet stage to several crablet stages. Direct stocking of megalopa into ponds is not recommended due to their sensitivity. Instead, nursery rearing is needed to produce mud crab of larger size before stocking. Individual nursery rearing results in higher survival rate (up to 100%), but with reduced growth rate, and a more complicated maintenance process compared with communal rearing. Nursery of mud crab can be done indoors, or outdoors, with adequate shelter and feed required to obtain good survival and growth performance. Artemia nauplii are the main, established nursery feed, particularly at megalopa stage, while survival rate may be improved if combined with artificial feed, such as micro bound diet formulations. Water quality parameters, identical to those proposed in tiger shrimp culture, can followed. Crablets may be transported to the pond location with, or without water. The provision of monosex seeds from mud crab hatcheries is expected to become more common, increasing seed price, and thus improving income of farmers. Numerous aspects of mud crab nursery, including nutrition, feeding strategies, understanding of their behaviour, i.e., cannibalism, control of environmental factors, and practical rearing techniques, still need further improvement.
Fluid-Structure Interaction of Flexible Whisker-Type Beams and Its Implication for Flow Sensing by Pair-Wise Correlation
Authors: Glick Raphael , Muthuramalingam Muthukumar , Brücker Christoph
Published: February 2021

(1) Background: Sensing of critical events or flow signatures in nature often presents itself as a coupled interaction between a fluid and arrays of slender flexible beams, such a wind-hairs or whiskers. It is hypothesized that important information is gained in highly noisy environments by the inter-correlation within the array. (2) Methods: The present study uses a model sea lion head with artificial whiskers in the form of slender beams (optical fibres), which are subjected to a mean flow with overlaid turbulent structures generated in the wake of a cylinder. Motion tracking of the array of fibres is used to analyse the correlation of the bending deformations of pairs of fibres. (3) Results: Cross-correlation of the bending signal from tandem pairs of whiskers proves that the detection of vortices and their passage along the animals head is possible even in noisy environments. The underlying pattern, during passage of a vortex core, is a jerk-like response of the whiskers, which can be found at later arrival-times in similar form in the downstream whisker's response. (4) Conclusion: Coherent vortical structures can be detected from cross-correlation of pairs of cantilever-beam like sensors even in highly turbulent flows. Such vortices carry important information within the environment, e.g. the underlying convection velocity. More importantly in nature, these vortices are characteristic elementary signals left by prey and predators. The present work can help to further develop flow, or critical event, sensory systems which can overcome high noise levels due to the proposed correlation principle.
The Binding of Phosphorus Species at Goethite: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Ganta Prasanth B. , Morshedizad Mohsen , Kühn Oliver , Leinweber Peter , Ahmed Ashour A.
Published: February 2021

Knowledge of the interaction between inorganic and organic phosphates with soil minerals is vital for improving the soil P fertility. To achieve an in-depth understanding we combined adsorption experiments and hybrid ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the adsorption of common phosphates, i.e. orthophosphate (OP), glycerolphosphate (GP) and inositolhexaphosphate (IHP), onto the 100 surface plane of goethite. Experimental adsorption data per mol P-molecule basis fitted to the Freundlich model show the adsorption strength increases in the order GP < OP < IHP, and IHP adsorption being saturated faster followed by GP and OP. Modeling results show that OP and GP form stable monodentate (M) and binuclear bidentate (B) motifs with B being more stable than M, whereas IHP forms stable M and 3M motifs. Interfacial water plays an important role through hydrogen bonds and proton transfers with OP/GP/IHP and goethite. It also controls the binding motifs of phosphates with goethite. Combining both experimental and modeling results, we propose that the B motif dominates for OP, whereas GP forms M and IHP forms a combination of M and 3M motifs. The joint approach plausibly explains why IHP is the predominant organically bound P form in soil. This study could be considered as a preliminary step for further studies for understanding the mechanisms of how microbes and plants overcome the strong IHP–mineral binding to implement the phosphate groups into their metabolism.
Spatio-Temporal Crime Predictions by Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Citizens Security in Smart Cities
Authors: Butt Umair Muneer , Letchmunan Sukumar , Hassan Fadratul Hafinaz , Ali Mubashir , Baqir Anees , Koh Tieng Wei , Sherazi Hafiz Husnain Raza
Published: February 2021

Smart city infrastructure has a significant impact on improving the quality of humans life. However, a substantial increase in the urban population from the last few years is posing challenges related to resource management, safety, and security. In order to ensure safe mobility and security in the smart city environment, this paper proposes a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) based approach empowering the authorities to better visualize the threats and to help them identify the highly-reported crime zones yielding greater predictability of crime hot-spots in a smart city. To this end, it first investigates the Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN) to detect the hot-spots that have a higher risk of crimes to be committed. Second, for crime prediction, Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) exploited in each dense crime region to predict the number of crimes in the future with spatial and temporal information. The proposed HDBSCAN and SARIMA based crime prediction model is evaluated on ten years of crime data (2008-2017) for New York City (NYC). The accuracy of the model is measured by considering different time period scenarios i.e. (a) year-wise, i.e., for each year and (b) for the whole period of ten years, using an 80:20 ratio where 80\% data was used for training and 20\% data was used for testing. The proposed approach outperforms with an average Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 11.47.
At the molecular resolution with MINFLUX?
Authors: Prakash Kirti
Published: February 2021

Gwosch et al. (2020) and Balzarotti et al. (2017) purport MINFLUX as the next revolutionary fluorescence microscopy technique claiming a spatial resolution in the range of 1-3 nm in fixed and living cells. Though the claim of molecular resolution is attractive, I am concerned whether true 1 nm resolution has been attained. Here, I compare the performance with other super-resolution methods focussing particularly on spatial resolution claims, atypical image rendering, visualisation enhancement, subjective filtering of localizations, detection vs labelling efficiency and the possible limitations when imaging biological samples containing densely labelled structures. I hope the analysis and evaluation parameters presented here are not only useful for future research directions but also microscope users, developers and core facility managers when deciding on an investment for the next 'state-of-the-art' instrument.
Spectrum of Camel Evolution and its Impact on Ancient Human Migration
Authors: Sharma Indu , Sharma Jyotsna , Kumar Sachin , Singh Hemender , Sharma Varun , Rai Niraj
Published: February 2021

The Evolutionary history and domestication of Camels are largely unexplored because of the lack of well dated early archaeological records. However, limited records suggest that domestication of Camels likely happened in the late second millennium BCE. Over the time, camels have helped human for their basic needs like meat, milk, wool, dung to long routes transportation. This multifaceted animal has helped the mankind to connect through continents and in trade majorly through the Silk route. In India, both dromedary and Bactrian camels are found and their habitat is entirely different from each other, dromedaries inhabit in hot deserts and Bactrians are found mostly in cold places (Nubra Valley, Ladakh). Fewer studies on Indian dromedaries have been conducted but no such studies are done on Bactrian camels. It is needed to study the genetics of Bactrian camels to find out their genetic affinity and evolutionary history with other Bactrians found in different parts of the world. Furthermore, parallel studies on humans and Bactrian camel are required to understand the co-evolution and migration pattern of humans during their dispersal in different time periods.
Analysis of Ionic Domains on a Proton Exchange Membrane using a Numerical Approximation Model based on Electrostatic Force Microscopy
Authors: Son Byungrak , Park JaeHyoung , Kwon Osung
Published: February 2021

Understanding the ionic channel network of proton exchange membranes, which dictate fuel cell performance, is crucial when developing proton exchange membrane fuel cells. However, itis difficult to characterize due to complicated nano structure and differing changes to their structure with different amounts of water uptake. Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) can map surface charge distribution as nano special resolution by measuring the electrostatic force between a vibrating conductive tip and a charged surface under an applied voltage, . In this study, the ionic channel network of a proton exchange membrane is analyzed using EFM. A mathematical approximation model of the ionic channel network is first derived, to explain changes in force gradient on the surface using EFM. The phase lag of dry and wet Nafion under stepwise changes to bias voltage is then measured. Based on the model, variations in the ionic channel network of Nafion with different amounts of water uptake are analyzed numerically. The mean surface charge density of both membranes, which is connected with the ionic channel network, is calculated using the model. The results show that the difference between the mean surface charge of the dry and wet membranes is consistent with the variation in their proton conductivity.
Tissue Engineering Strategies for Retinal Regeneration
Authors: RajendranNair Deepthi. S , Seiler Magdalene.J , Patel Kahini , Thomas Vinoy , Martinez Juan Carlos , Humayun Mark.S , Thomas Biju. B
Published: February 2021

The retina is a complex and fragile photosensitive part of the central nervous system which is prone to degenerative diseases leading to permanent vision loss. No proven treatment strategies exist to treat or reverse the degenerative conditions. Recent investigations demonstrate that cell transplantation therapies to replace the dysfunctional retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and or the degenerating photoreceptors (PRs) are viable options to restore vision. Pluripotent stem cells, retinal progenitor cells and somatic stem cells are the main cell sources used for cell transplantation therapies. The success of retinal transplantation based on cell suspension injection is hindered by limited cell survival and lack of cellular integration. Recent advances in material science helped to develop strategies to grow cells as intact monolayers or as sheets on biomaterial scaffolds for transplantation into the eyes. Such implants are found to be more promising than the bolus injection approach. Tissue engineering techniques are specifically designed to construct biodegradable or non-degradable polymer scaffolds to grow cells as a monolayer and construct implantable grafts. The engineered cell construct along with the extracellular matrix formed, can hold the cells in place to enable easy survival, better integration and improved visual function. This article reviews the advances in the use of scaffolds for transplantation studies in animal models and its application in current clinical trials.
New Therapeutic Approaches to Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia: The Role of Ginkgo Biloba (EGb 761®)
Authors: Tomino Carlo , Ilari Sara , Solfrizzi Vincenzo , Malafoglia Valentina , Zilio Guglielmo , Russo Patrizia , Marcolongo Federica , Scapagnini Giovanni , Muscoli Carolina , Rossini Paolo Maria
Published: February 2021

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia are a clinically relevant health problem in the elderly and Alzheimer's disease being the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Furthermore, MCI and mild dementia are characterized by a deterioration of cognitive function and their diagnosis is mainly based on cognitive examination and, the prognosis of the disease seems to be an essential reason for the diagnosis, because there is a high risk of cognitive decline in the two syndromes. This review describes the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761®) leaf extract for the treatment of dementia syndrome and EGb761® combination therapy with other medications for symptomatic dementia. Tebonin® is a drug of plant origin based on the active ingredient “Ginkgo biloba”. This drug has shown encouraging results, improving cognitive function, neuropsychiatric disorders and consequent reduction of caregiver stress and maintenance of autonomy in patients with age-related cognitive decline, MCI and mild dementia. Nowadays, there is little evidence to support the efficacy of EGb761® combination therapy with anti-dementia drugs and, therefore, more evidence is needed to evaluate the role of EGb761® in mixed therapy.
Different Carbon Sources Optimizes Soil Temperature and Improves Soil Water Content in Field Grown Spring Wheat
Authors: Yeboah Stepeh , Jun Wu , Liqun Cai , Oteng-Darko Patricia , Renzhi Zhang
Published: February 2021

Water and nutrients shortage threatens agricultural sustainability in many arid and semiarid areas of the world. It is unknown whether improved water and nutrient conservation practices can be developed to alleviate this issue while increasing crop productivity. In this study, experimental work included the application of straw, biochar and N fertilizer. The straw and biochar were applied alone or combined with N fertilizer (0 and 100 kg N ha-1). Application of biochar and straw in combination with N fertilizer caused a reduction in mean soil temperature by an average of 20.05% and 18.10% relative to soils without carbon. Biochar and straw– amended soils significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil moisture content by 11.04% and 13.68% compared to no carbon treatments. Statistically comparable temperatures and moisture were recorded for both straw and biochar treated plots. Both biochar and straw treated soils produced the lowest bulk density (0–5 cm) at 1.15 g cm–3, and no carbon soils the highest at 1.20 g cm–3. The improved soil quality translated into higher biomass in the biochar (1906 kg ha–1) and biomass (1643 kg ha–1) and soils without carbon the lowest at 1553 kg ha–1. The improvement of soil moisture and the optimization of soil temperature for the two residue treated soils allow us to conclude that combined application of biochar and straw at the rate used in this study can be used as an effective farming model in alleviating water and nutrient shortage in semiarid environments.
Effect of Mean Velocity to Critical Velocity Ratios on Bed Topography and Incipient Motion in a Meandering Channel: Experimental Investigation
Authors: Moghaddassi Nargess , Musavi-Jahromi Seyed Habib , Vaghefi Mohammad , Khosrojerdi Amir
Published: February 2021

As 180-degree meanders are observed in abundance in nature, a meandering channel with two consecutive 180-degree bends was designed and constructed to investigate bed topography variations. These two 180-degree mild bends are located between two upstream and downstream straight paths. In this study, different mean velocity to critical velocity ratios have been tested at the upstream straight path to determine the meander's incipient motion. To this end, bed topography variations along the meander and the downstream straight path were addressed for different mean velocity to critical velocity ratios. In addition, the upstream bend's effect on the downstream bend has been investigated. Results indicated that the maximum scour depth at the downstream bend has increased as a result of changing the mean velocity to critical velocity ratio from 0.8 to 0.84, 0.86, 0.89, 0.92, 0.95, and 0.98 by respectively 1.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 12, and 26 times. Moreover, increasing the ratio increased the maximum sedimentary height by 3, 10, 23, 48, 49, and 56 times. The upstream bend's incipient motion was observed for the mean velocity to critical velocity ratio of 0.89, while the downstream bend was equal to 0.78.
Characterization of the Lipidome and Biophysical Properties of Membranes from High Five Insect Cells Expressing Mouse P-Glycoprotein
Authors: Moreno Maria João , Teles Martins Patrícia Alexandra , Bernardino Eva , Abel Biebele , Ambudkar Suresh
Published: February 2021

The lipid composition of biomembranes influence the properties of the lipid bilayer as well as that of the proteins. In this study, the lipidome and the lipid/protein ratio of membranes from High FiveTM insect cells overexpressing mouse P-glycoprotein was characterized. This provides a better understanding of the lipid environment in which P-glycoprotein is embedded, and thus of its functional and structural properties. The relative abundance of the distinct phospholipid classes and their acyl chain composition was characterized. A mass ratio of 0.57 +/- 0.11 phospholipids to protein was obtained. Phosphatidylethanolamines are the most abundant phospholipids, followed by phosphatidylcholines. Membranes are also enriched in negatively charged lipids (phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylglycerols), and contain small amounts of sphingomyelins, ceramides and monoglycosilatedceramides. The most abundant acyl chains are monounsaturated, with significant amounts of saturated chains. The characterization of the phospholipids by HPLC-MS allowed identification of the combination of acyl chains, with palmitoyl-oleoyl being the most representative for all major phospholipid classes except for phosphatidylserines, which are mostly saturated. A mixture of POPE:POPC:POPS in the ratio 45:35:20 is proposed for the preparation of simple representative model membranes. The adequacy of the model membranes was further evaluated by characterizing their surface potential and fluidity.
A Solution of the Cosmological Constant, Using Multiverse Version of Penrose CCC Cosmology, and Enhanced Quantization Compared
Authors: Beckwith Andrew
Published: February 2021

We reduplicate the Book “Dark Energy” by M. Li, X-D. Li, and Y. Wang, zero-point energy calculation with an unexpected “length’ added to the ‘width’ of a graviton wavefunction just prior to the entrance of ‘gravitons’ to a small region of space-time prior to a nonsingular start to the universe. We compare this to a solution worked out using Klauder Enhanced quantization, for the same given problem. The solution of the first Cosmological Constant problem relies upon the geometry of the multiverse generalization of CCC cosmology which is explained in this paper. The second solution, used involves Klauder enhanced quantization. We look at energy given by our methods and compare and contrast it with the negative energy of the Rosen model for a mini sub universe and estimate GW frequencies
Geodetic-Gravimetric Monitoring of Mountain Uplift and Hydrological Variations at Zugspitze and Wank Mountains (Bavarian Alps, Germany)
Authors: Timmen Ludger , Gerlach Christian , Rehm Till , Völksen Christof , Voigt Christian
Published: February 2021

In 2004, first absolute gravity (AG) measurements were performed on the mountain tops of Mt. Zugspitze (2 sites) and Mt. Wank (1 site), and at the Wank foot (1 site). Wank (summit height 1780 m) and Zugspitze (2960 m) are about 20 km apart from each other and belong geologically to different parts of the Northern Limestone Alps. Bridging a time span of 15 years, the deduced gravity variations for Zugspitze are in the order of 0.30 μm/s² with a standard uncertainty of 0.04 μm/s². The Wank stations (foot and top) show no significant gravity variation. The vertical stability of Wank summit is also confirmed by results of continuous GNSS recordings. Because an Alpine mountain uplift of 1 or 2 mm/yr cannot explain the obtained gravity decline at Zugspitze, the dominating geophysical contributions are assumed to be due to the diminishing glaciers in the vicinity. The modelled gravity trend caused by glacier retreat between epochs 1999 and 2018 amounts to -0.012 μm/s²/yr at both Zugspitze AG sites. This explains more than half of the observed gravity decrease. Long-term variations on inter-annual and climate-relevant decadal scale will be investigated in the future using as a supplement superconducting gravimetry (installed in 2019) and GNSS equipment (since 2018).
Insect-Specific Flavivirus Replication in Mammalian Cells is Inhibited by Physiological Temperature and the Zinc-Finger Antiviral Protein
Authors: Colmant Agathe M.G. , Hobson-Peters Jody , Slijkerman Teun A.P. , Harrison Jessica J. , Pijlman Gorben P. , van Oers Monique M. , Simmonds Peter , Hall Roy A. , Fros Jelke J.
Published: February 2021

The genus Flavivirus contains pathogenic vertebrate-infecting flaviviruses (VIFs) and in-sect-specific flaviviruses (ISF). ISF transmission to vertebrates is inhibited at multiple stages of the cellular infection cycle, via yet to be elucidated specific antiviral responses. The Zinc-finger an-tiviral protein (ZAP) in vertebrate cells can bind CpG dinucleotides in viral RNA, limiting virus replication. Interestingly, the genomes of ISFs contain more CpG dinucleotides compared to VIFs. In this study, we investigated whether ZAP prevents two recently discovered lineage II ISFs, Binjari (BinJV) and Hidden Valley viruses (HVV) from replicating in vertebrate cells. BinJV protein and dsRNA replication intermediates were readily observed in human ZAP knockout cells when cultured at 34 ˚C. In ZAP expressing cells, inhibition of the interferon response via interferon response factors 3/7 did not improve BinJV protein expression, whereas treatment with kinase inhibitor C16, known to reduce ZAP’s antiviral function, did. Importantly, at 34 ˚C both BinJV and HVV successfully completed the infection cycle in human ZAP knockout cells evident from infectious progeny virus in the cell culture supernatant. Therefore, we identify vertebrate ZAP as an important barrier that protects vertebrate cells from ISF infection This provides new insights into flavivirus evolution and the mechanisms associated with host switching.
Dressed Photon Constant as a Key Parameter for the Conformal Cyclic Cosmology of Twin Universes
Authors: Sakuma Hirofumi , Ojima Izumi
Published: February 2021

As an important follow-up report on the latest study of the first author (H.S.) on an off-shell quantum field causing a dressed photon and dark energy, we further discuss a couple of intriguing subjects based on our new theory. One is the dressed photon constant. If we use it, in addition to h¯ and c, as the third component of natural units, then it is defined as the geometric mean of the smallest and the largest lengths: Planck length and that relating to the cosmological constant. Interestingly, this length (≈ 50 nanometers) seems to give a rough measure of the Heisenberg cut for electromagnetic phenomena. The other is a new perspective on cosmology that combines two original notions, i.e., twin universes and conformal cyclic cosmology, proposed respectively by Petit and Penrose, into one novel picture where universes expand self-similarly. We show the possibility that twin universes having a dual structure of [matter with (dark energy & matter)] vs. corresponding anti-entities, separated by an event horizon embedded in the geometric structure of de Sitter space, undergo endless cyclic processes of birth and death, as in the case of the pair creation and annihilation of elementary particles through the intervention of a conformal light field.
Hepatic Arterial Buffer Response in Liver Radioembolization and Potential Use for Improved Cancer Therapy
Authors: Walrand Stephan , Hesse Michel , d’Abadie Philippe , Jamar François
Published: February 2021

Liver radioembolization is a treatment option for unresectable liver cancers, performed by infusion of 90Y or 166Ho loaded spheres in the hepatic artery. As tumoral cells are mainly perfused via the liver artery unlike hepatic lobules, a twofold tumor to normal liver dose ratio is commonly obtained. To improve tumoral cells killing while preserving lobules, co-infusion of arterial vasoconstrictor has been proposed but with limited success: the hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR) and hepatic vascular escape mechanism hamper the arterioles vasoconstriction. The proposed project aims to take benefit of the HABR by co-infusing a mesenteric arterial vasodilator: the portal flow enhancement inducing the vasoconstriction of the intra sinusoids arterioles barely impacting liver tumors that are mainly fed by novel and anarchic external arterioles. Animal studies were reviewed and dopexamine was identified as a promising safe candidate reducing by 4 the hepatic lobules arterial flow. A clinical trial design is proposed. A four to sixfold improvement of the tumoral to normal tissue dose ratio is expected, pushing the therapy towards a real curative intention, especially in HCC where ultra-selective spheres delivery is often not possible.
Astrocytes in Alzheimer´s Disease: Pathological Significance and Molecular Pathways
Authors: Preman Pranav , Alfonso-Triguero Maria , Alberdi Elena , Verkhratsky Alexej , Arranz Amaia M
Published: February 2021

Astrocytes perform a wide variety of essential functions defining normal operation of the nervous system, and are active contributors to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer among others. Recent data provide compelling evidence that distinct reactive astrocyte states are associated with specific stages of Alzheimer´s disease. The advent of transcriptomics technologies enables rapid progress in the characterisation of such pathological astrocyte states. In this review, we provide an overview of the origin, main functions, molecular and morphological features of astrocytes in physiological as well as pathological conditions related to Alzheimer´s disease. We will also explore the main roles of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer´s disease and summarize main transcriptional changes and altered molecular pathways observed in astrocytes during the course of the disease.
Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Flipped Classroom terintegrasi Cooperative Learning Terhadap Motivasi Siswa pada Materi Pelajaran Reaksi Reduksi dan Oksidasi
Authors: Rahmawati Rizka Amalia , Muhab Sukro , Hadinugrahaningsih Tritiyatma
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh model pembelajaran flipped classroom terintegrasi cooperative learning terhadap motivasi siswa pada materi pelajaran reaksi reduksi dan oksidasi. Penelitian dilakukan di SMAN 4 Tangerang pada kelas X MIPA. Metode Penelitian menggunakan quasi experiment dengan desain nonequivalen control grup design. Siswa pada kelas kontrol menggunakan model pembelajaran flipped classroom terintegrasi cooperative learning, sedangkan siswa pada kelas kontrol menggunakan model cooperative learning. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data, terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara motivasi siswa pada kelas eksperimen dengan kelas kontol yang dilihat dari nilai thitung 1,77 > ttabel 1,67 pada taraf signifikansi 0,05, dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh positif penerapan model pembelajaran flipped classroom terintegrasi cooperative learning terhadap motivasi siswa pada materi pelajaran reaksi reduksi dan oksidasi.

Kata kunci: flipped classroom, cooperative learning, motivasi
AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE DE EXTRATO DA ACCA SELLOWIANA NO CONTROLE DE RHIPICEPHALUS MICROPLUS EM MODELO IN VITRO
Authors: Francisco Junior Braga  , Zenildo Pereira dos Santos Junior  , Arthur Dalmolin Dahmer  , Soraya Regina Sacco Surian  , Mário Lettieri Teixeira
Published: February 2021

O Rhipicephalus microplus é um dos principais ectoparasitos que se alimenta de bovinos. É ovetor de protozoários e riquétsias, os quais se encontra os agentes da tristeza parasitáriabovina que causa tanto impacto na bovinocultura. O Brasil gasta anualmente, cerca de 800milhões de reais para o controle do parasito. O método mais utilizado é feito por aplicações deprodutos químicos, que associado a elevada frequência e ao uso inadequado dos produtos,auxilia seleção de exemplares resistentes. Desse modo surge a necessidade de maneirasalternativas de controle, seja com técnicas de manejo ou com produtos orgânicos cujo oimpacto ambiental seja neutro e a eficiência seja promissora. A Acca sellowiana apresentadiversas propriedades em estudos em vitro, tais como, antifúngica, antibacteriana,antioxidante, antiviral, antitumoral e anti-inflamatória. O presente trabalho teve por objetivoavaliar a capacidade e potencial do estrato de Acca sellowiana in vitro para controle deRhipicephalus microplus. Os bioensáios foram conduzidos no laboratório de Parasitologia doIFC- Campus Concórdia. As teleóginas foram provenientes de animais naturalmenteinfectados do setor de Zootecnia III do Instituto. Utilizou-se o estrato liofilizado, o controlepositivo foi realizado com Amitraz (Am) e Fipronil (Fp), e o controle negativo com Álcool(Ac). Os parasitas foram pesados e separados, mergulhados nas soluções durante cincominutos, secados e posteriormente prendidos em fita adesiva em placas de petri. As placasficaram na estufa com temperatura de 27ºC durante 21 dias para oviposição e mais 28 diaspara eclosão mantendo a mesma temperatura. Após o termino, calculou-se a taxa de eclosão ea taxa da eficiência reprodutiva. Foram utilizados ao todo 230 carrapatos. Foi possívelconcluir que, o extrato liofilizado de Acca sellowiana não possui efeitos knockdown nasteleógenas, entretanto demonstrou efeitos positivos quanto a diminuição da taxa de eclosãodos ovos e eficiência reprodutiva dos parasitos.
AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DE CARCAÇA DA TILÁPIA ALIMENTADA COM LEVEDURAS
Authors: Laura R. Silva  , Julio B. C. Rodhermel  , Pamela Stolf  , Guilia B. Ferreira  , Renata Krainz  , Adolfo Jatobá
Published: February 2021

O desenvolvimento do setor aquícola tem expandido a intensidade dos sistemas produtivos,expondo os peixes a fatores estressantes que podem causar enfermidades nos animais.Aumentando a utilização indiscriminada de quimioterápicos para controle e profilaxia o queinstigou a busca por alternativas mais sustentáveis para o tratamento de doenças e promotoresde crescimento, como o uso de probióticos como agentes de controle biológico. A leveduraSaccharomyces cerevisiae é um dos produtos de origem microbiana que vêm sendoamplamente estudada por ser um fungo não patogênico, que por possuir rápida velocidade decrescimento, ocorre sempre excesso de produção, e pode ser usada para os mais diversos finsdepois de desidratada, como por exemplo, na alimentação animal. Já sendo utilizada emdiversas espécies, como suínos, bovinos, frangos de corte, entre outras. Diante do exposto opresente estudo objetivou avaliar a suplementação da levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiaecomo probiótico para tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). No experimento foramutilizadas 60 tilápias-do-nilo com peso médio de 150 g, e cepas de S. cerevisae foram cedidase previamente incorporadas à ração pela Biosyn Nutrição Animal LTDA. Os peixes foramdistribuídos em dez unidades experimentais (6/EU), equipadas com sistema de recirculação deágua e aeração constante. As caixas foram divididas em dois tratamentos com cincorepetições, peixes alimentados com dieta: 1º) suplementada por Saccharomyces cerevisae(SAC); e 2º) controle (sem suplementação); Após o período experimental de 120 dias, todosos peixes foram pesados para determinação dos parâmetros zootécnicos, e quatro peixes decada tanque (20 por tratamento) foram utilizados para coleta sanguínea e realização deanálises hematológicas, e posteriormente eutanasiados e eviscerados para coleta dos dados afim de obter os valores de peso de carcaça, peso e comprimento de trato digestório e fígado etambém para a determinação da composição centesimal do filé. Ao avaliar os parâmetroshematológicos pôde-se observar aumento significativo no número de eritrócitos, trombócitos,linfócitos e monócitos no tratamento SAC. Os índices zootécnicos apresentaram melhora nosanimais suplementados com a levedura com aumento no ganho de peso semanal, eficiênciaalimentar, taxa de retenção proteica e produtividade e uma menor conversão alimentar, alémdo aumento tendencioso nos níveis de proteína observados nos filés em relação ao grupocontrole. Portanto pode-se concluir que a suplementação com S. cerevisiae demonstroupropriedades probióticas na fase de engorda e melhora na qualidade de carcaça de juvenis detilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus).