bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projeto de cidade digital estratégica como política pública: o caso de Chicago, EUA
Authors: Rezende Denis Alcides , Procopiuck Mario
Published: October 2018

Os projetos de cidade digital podem ser considerados como política pública com diferentes abordagens da administração pública quando formalizam estratégias em cidades como premissa para fortalecer processos de gestão pública, a cidadania e o potencial de desenvolvimento da sociedade em geral, por meio de planejamento, estruturação, guarda e disponibilização de informações e serviços públicos. O objetivo é analisar o projeto de cidade digital estratégica de Chicago/EUA como uma política pública e contextualizá-lo frente a iniciativas que se desenvolvem nas esferas federal, estadual e municipal brasileiras. A metodologia da pesquisa enfatiza um estudo de caso construído com base em informações e análises qualitativas. Os resultados indicam que Chicago desenvolveu um projeto estratégico tecnológico como uma política pública e que, conceitualmente, há aproximação das intencionalidades expressas em políticas públicas brasileiras. A conclusão reitera a importância da adoção de estratégias em cidades como base para concepção de projetos tecnológicos abrangentes para elevar a efetividade da gestão pública, ampliar a participação social e a qualidade de vida dos cidadãos e contribuir com a política pública municipal.
Evaluating different conservation approaches to protection of subterranean fauna in Slovenia
Authors: Zagmajster Maja , Bregović Petra , Delić Teo , Fiser Cene , Fišer Žiga , Sket Boris
Published: October 2018

Due to increasing human activities with negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats, it has become necessary to establish conservation policies protecting at least parts of natural diversity. Subterranean fauna presents a challenge for conservation as species with small ranges or single site occurrences are common. In addition to the high level of strict endemism, the concealed lifestyles in habitats that are difficult to access make it challenging to establish the conservation status of subterranean species. Conservation approaches have different practical implications, but they should: i) include a sufficient number of important sites or proportion of species populations, and ii) involve monitoring of target species and habitats to check the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

We evaluated both aspects in two study cases on subterranean fauna from Slovenia, which is known as one of the global biodiversity hotspots in the Western Balkans. In the first case, we investigated to what extent current conservation schemes cover single site species. In the second case, we studied a region in Southern Slovenia and evaluated to what extent the EU legislation, namely EU Habitats directive, has been successfully implemented. In the frame of the latter, Sites of Community Importance were designated also due to the presence of important cave habitats and subterranean species. Our results suggest that the inclusion of important subterranean sites in conservation schemes is considerable. But, the apparent lack of research and monitoring of both subterranean habitats and species hampers the conclusions on effectiveness of different conservation approaches.
Hiding deep underground - two new subterranean beetle genera for Slovenia
Authors: Delić Teo , Colla Andrea , Zagmajster Maja
Published: October 2018

By offsetting the discipline of speleobiology with the discovery of the first subterranean beetle Leptodirus hochenwartii, Slovenia became the country with the longest tradition of speleobiological research. Subterranean beetles have been an undepletable study subject for almost two centuries, giving the impression that not much novelty is expected in beetle fauna. However, recent discoveries of two new beetle genera for Slovenia, one of them even being a new genus for science, have put this view into a new perspective. With the development of caving techniques and growing interest for surveying deep vertical caves, also the intensity of speleobiological studies of these caves gradually increased. So, it was only in 2017, that the first specialized, hygropetric beetle, was found in Slovenia. In Southern part of the country, a sole female specimen from genus Croatodirus (fam. Leiodidae), probably belonging to a new species, was collected from a cave in Mt. Snežnik, at depth of 475 m. Second, in the same year, even more spectacular finding came from the Southern Calcareous Alps. During sampling of a cave on Mt. Raduha, a peculiar and highly troglomorphic Trechinae (fam. Carabidae) was found at depth 450 m, near the cave hygropetric. Thorough morphological examination of a single male collected revealed characters similar to the ones known in the Southern Dinaric Scotoplanetes - genus known to inhabit the cave hygropetric. However, when the newly discovered genus was put into Alpine Trechinae phylogenetic framework, its sister relation with a narrow-endemic genus Aphaenopidius was revealed. Such rare and occasional findings raise questions regarding the completeness of our knowledge on alpha taxonomy and the mechanisms underlying convergent evolution in the subterranean realm.

Poster: Suppl. material 1
Religiosity, emotional states, and strategy in the family firm: Edm. Schluter & Co Ltd., 1953-1980
Authors: Wong Nicholas D. , Smith Andrew , Popp Andrew
Published: October 2018

Centré sur le cas de l’entreprise de négoce international de matières premières Edm. Schluter & Co. Ltd. dans la période 1953-1980, cet article contribue à un tournant affectif croissant dans l’histoire des entreprises et les études d’entreprises familiales en examinant comment la religiosité familiale partagée a généré des émotions positives qui ont créé un avantage concurrentiel pour cette firme pendant une période de turbulences externes accrues. À partir d’un éventail de sources qualitatives, y compris des lettres d’information commerciales et des transcriptions de discours prononcés par des dirigeants appartenant à la famille, nous identifions quatre émotions prédominantes : la nostalgie, l’anxiété, l’espoir et la confiance. Face à un environnement en rapide mutation caractérisé par la décolonisation de l’Afrique et la sécularisation de la Grande-Bretagne, l’entreprise s’est appuyée sur ces émotions pour construire sa résilience. Le commerce mondial des produits de base est dominé par les grandes sociétés. Le fait que cette petite entreprise familiale a survécu en gardant ses valeurs intactes jusqu’à ce jour est, à notre avis, la preuve que la famille, l’émotion et la religion ont fourni des ressources importantes à l’entreprise. L’article innove en appliquant l’histoire des émotions comme cadre d’interprétation de l’intersection à trois voies de la famille, des émotions et de la foi religieuse dans une entreprise familiale.
Arthroscopic Repair of Meniscus Tears
Authors: Henning Charles E
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT: Arthroscopic repair of torn menisci using a bent-tip Keith needle is described. Experience with the technique over a seven-year period is summarized.
"I Was Actually a Nurse": The Meaning of Professionalism for Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Authors: Secrest Janet A , Norwood Barbara R , Keatley Virginia M
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

An important process in any profession is the development of professional identity. Understanding how students experience professionalism is important to provide appropriate educational experiences to foster this aspect of professional socialization. Therefore, this study investigated baccalaureate student nurses' perspectives of what it means to be professional. This qualitative study was based on Pollio, Henley, and Thompson's interpretive framework, an existential-phenomenological approach. The purpose of the interpretation was to recognize patterns or themes in an experience. Figurai experiences in one's life emerge against a backdrop, or ground. Sixtynine baccalaureate nursing students at different educational levels participated. They described specific experiences in which they felt professional. The student experience of being professional was one grounded in a world of self and others. Three interrelated themes emerged from this ground- belonging, knowing, and affirmation. The ground of self and others provides the backdrop of the experience. It is through self and others that the figurai themes are experienced. The themes are inherently interrelated. For example, the experiences of belonging and knowing were affirming to students, and affirmation enhanced their sense of knowing and belonging. Implications of the findings are explored.
Las especies de Hyalopterus Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera, Aphididae), pulgones harinosos de los frutales de hueso, en España peninsular e Islas Baleares
Authors: Moreno-González Víctor , Nieto Nafría Juan M.
Published: October 2018

Se ha estudiado la distribución de las especies del género Hyalopterus Koch, 1854 (Aphidinae, Aphidini, Rhopalosiphina) en España peninsular e Islas Baleares mediante la revisión de las citas bibliográficas, del material depositado en la colección de la Universidad de León y de las fotografías almacenadas en Insectarium virtual. Se actualiza la distribución de las especies y aportan citas en nuevas provincias. Además, se aporta una clave de identificación para las hembras vivíparas ápteras de las especies de Hyalopterus.
La eliminación de metales tóxicos presentes en efluentes líquidos mediante resinas de cambio iónico. Parte VIII: Arsénico(III))/OH-/Dowex 1x8
Authors: Alguacil Francisco José , Escudero Esther
Published: October 2018

En el presente trabajo se utiliza la resina de intercambio aniónico para la eliminación de arsénico(III) de medios acuosos. Esta eliminación se ha investigado teniendo en cuenta diversas variables experimentales como son: la velocidad de agitación del sistema, la temperatura, el pH de la disolución y la dosificación de resina al sistema. El equilibrio de intercambio aniónico tiene un carácter endotérmico y no espontaneo, en el rango de temperaturas comprendido entre 20 °C y 60 °C, la cinética del proceso responde al modelo de pseudo-segundo orden, sin embargo, el mecanismo de carga del arsénico en la resina cambia en el rango de temperaturas comprendido entre 20 °C y 40 °C. La isoterma de carga del metal en la resina responde al modelo linearizado de Freundlich. Se comparan los resultados de carga de arsénico en la resina Dowex 1x8 con los obtenidos con otras resinas y con nanotubos de carbono de pared multiple. La elución del arsénico se puede realizar con disoluciones acidas, por ejemplo 1 M HCl.
La fabrique d’un fleuve
Authors: Porée Marc
Published: October 2018

L’article se présente en deux volets distincts. Le premier entreprend de déborder la lecture, volontiers totalisante, d’Au cœur des ténèbres, en l’abordant par le biais de la fiction. Quatre romans inspirés par la novella conradienne sont brièvement examinés, en quête d’un agencement introuvable, associant un fleuve, un homme fort et un peuple qui manque. Dans un second temps, on se propose d’examiner comment se fabrique un fleuve dans l’établi d’un écrivain explicitement rapproché du savoir-faire d’un mécanicien, d’un soudeur de rivets. Chemin faisant, se déclinent les différentes modalités de cette fabrication, de l’emboîtement (narratif, autobiographique et fictionnel) jusqu’à l’agencement du vivant, en passant par la philologie du rivet, ainsi que par la peinture abstraite, où se donne à voir la tentative, finalement conjurée, de destruction d’un fleuve par l’écriture.
Seeking the Sources of Heart of Darkness: the African Narratives of late-Victorian Explorers and Journalists
Authors: Griffiths Andrew
Published: October 2018

This paper begins by briefly outlining the argument that Heart of Darkness should be read as something like a palimpsest – a palimpsest is, of course, a medieval document scribed onto parchment that has previously been inscribed with other texts and still bears their traces. It argues that Heart of Darkness dramatizes various acts of writing or representation that are later effaced and overwritten or rewritten. In doing this, the novella continually gestures beyond itself to source material that too has been effaced and rewritten. The paper then takes an archaeological approach, exploring just what that source material might be and how its traces are legible in Heart of Darkness. Henry Morton Stanley’s exploration narratives are identified as significant sources, which Conrad seeks to efface and overwrite. The paper further argues that debates running in British journalism through the 1890s, which Conrad discussed in correspondence with R.B. Cunninghame Graham, shaped the tone and atmosphere of the text. Finally, the paper outlines the possible relationship of Heart of Darkness to the wider field of writing on African travel and exploration.
Virunga National Park, the heart of darkness as UNESCO World Heritage
Authors: Andersen Frits
Published: October 2018

The article outlines some of the historical traces for the eco-crisis that presently threatens the first and most outstanding national park in Africa, homeland of the mountain gorilla. Texts and films about Virunga reiterate the same rhetorical figures that are frequently discussed in connection with Conrad’s description of the Congo River, thus showing the long-term political effects of the “discours conradien”. After a short description of the site, the article presents the Congo Reform Movement’s campaign against the bloody repression in the Congo Free State around 1900, often referred to as the Red Rubber-regime. The article argues that we can detect similar and highly problematic rhetorical structures in the animal rights campaigns, which took on a global scale in the 1970s – initiated among others by Dian Fossey and her famous and infamous fight for the protection of mountain gorillas in the Virunga. Both human rights campaigns and animal rights campaigns share a responsibility, the author argues, for the eco-crisis at Virunga. Finally, he presents the documentary Virunga from 2014 as a model and as a rhetorical alternative.
Heart of Darkness, exposition
Authors: Tundula Christian
Published: October 2018

En tant que photographe, Christian Tundula s’interroge sur son lien avec l’œuvre de Conrad.
« Le Fleuve commence ici », choix de textes
Authors: Martin-Granel Nicolas
Published: October 2018

« Le fleuve commence ici » se présente comme un patchwork de textes d’écrivains des deux rives du Congo évoquant leur fleuve en des termes qui leur sont propres, souvent à rebours de toute influence conradienne. Ce florilège n’est pas exhaustif et se veut même une collection en devenir de textes sur le fleuve, destinée à accueillir les extraits favoris des lecteurs.
Heart of Darkness, extraits du scénario d’Orson Welles
Authors: Welles Orson
Published: October 2018

En 1939, Orson Welles (1915-1985) écrit une adaptation cinématographique du Cœur des ténèbres de Joseph Conrad. Le film, qui aurait dû être le premier long métrage de l’artiste américain, ne fut jamais réalisé. Voici, adaptées pour une lecture publique, les pages finales du scénario.
À propos de la tradition conradienne du Cœur des ténèbres comme archive internationale
Authors: Halen Pierre
Published: October 2018

Cœur des ténèbres, œuvre à la fois britannique et très internationale, a nourri la tradition conradienne, constituée d’éléments narratifs et thématiques qui lui ont été empruntés ; dans le roman, les médias d’information ou les documentaires, dans la bande dessinée et au cinéma. Certaines de ces composantes sont des invariants d’ordre narratif, d’autres sont relatifs à l’espace, enfin il y a des thèmes plus abstraits comme celui du Diable. Le motif central du steamer, symbole du progrès, les cristallise et permet d’en lire les enjeux : au-delà de sa récupération idéologique toujours possible dans le sens du militantisme anti-colonialiste, la nouvelle apparaît ainsi comme une sorte de parabole civilisationnelle dont le cœur est l’« horreur » de l’Histoire elle-même.
Traitement et description d’un fonds photographique de presse en musée : le fonds dit « du Matin » au musée de la Résistance nationale
Authors: Demersseman Agathe
Published: October 2018

Depuis 1987, le musée de la Résistance nationale (Champigny-sur-Marne) conserve un fonds photographique de presse, celui du quotidien Le Matin, extraordinaire tant par sa masse que par la complexité de son historique de production. S’étendant du milieu des années 1920 à la fin des années 1950, celui-ci est presque exclusivement composé de négatifs au gélatino-bromure d’argent sur plaque de verre. La conservation, l’étude et la valorisation de ce fonds – dit du Matin – ont nécessité la mise en place d’un chantier d’envergure. Complet, celui-ci a amené la structure et les équipes à s’interroger sur de multiples enjeux d’ordre à la fois scientifique (conservation, définition du niveau de description normalisée), informatique (outils de traitement documentaire, paramètres techniques de numérisation, stockage des données acquises), juridique (imbrication des droits afférents), culturel et éducatif (modalités de valorisation), ou encore financier et humain (traitement en interne ou recours à un prestataire). Cet article se veut une présentation des processus de traitement de ce fonds photographique – collection dans la collection – et des questionnements qui ont présidé aux choix méthodologiques retenus à l’échelle d’un musée associatif. Le traitement de ce fonds est réalisé en partenariat étroit avec les archives départementales de la Seine-Saint-Denis et les Archives nationales.
La propriété matérielle des archives photographiques de presse. Enjeux juridiques
Authors: Roux Samuel Bonnaud-Le
Published: October 2018

De nombreux services d’archives conservent des fonds photographiques de presse importants, composés de photographies de provenances diverses et aux objets non authentifiés, ce qui rend délicate l’identification de la propriété matérielle des différents éléments composant ces fonds. Cette difficulté résulte notamment de la diversité des acteurs au sein du secteur du photojournalisme et du fait que les pratiques liées aux supports matériels des photographies ne sont pas harmonisées. La transformation numérique de l’économie transforme à la fois les relations entre intervenants traditionnels dans la chaîne de création et le nombre d’images accessibles au grand public. Des conflits sont apparus entre des photographes et des agences de presse, qui portent la plupart du temps sur la restitution aux photographes de leurs originaux ou l’accès à ces derniers lorsque les photographes n’ont pas conservé de copies de ces derniers en amont. Dans ce contexte, la jurisprudence relative aux pratiques encadrant le transfert de propriété des supports photographiques dans les relations entre photographes et agences de presse apporte un éclairage intéressant pour les archives, qui interviennent à l’autre bout de la chaîne. En second lieu, il convient de s’interroger sur les différentes modalités d’entrée des archives de presse dans les collections publiques et leur impact sur la propriété matérielle. Sont examinées à ce titre les différentes formes d’entrées de fonds photographiques dans les collections, selon qu’elles ont lieu à titre onéreux ou gratuitement, et les conséquences qu’il faut en tirer pour la propriété des supports photographiques. À ce titre est abordée la possibilité pour des services d’archives d’appliquer la règle de la prescription acquisitive aux fonds photographiques privés dont les modalités d’entrée dans les collections sont inconnues, en l’absence de document précisant l’intention du producteur du fonds.
Constitution d’une collection, pratiques, circuit des tirages photographiques et conventionnement, le point de vue d’une agence photographique historique, Roger-Viollet (1938-2005)
Authors: Desveaux Delphine
Published: October 2018

Fondé en 1938 par Hélène Roger et Jean Fischer, Roger-Viollet s’installe chez Laurent Ollivier, « marchand d’images » connu depuis 1880. L’emplacement répond à son environnement où se côtoient étudiants, artistes, revues et maisons d’édition, autant de clients potentiels. Fermée pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, la boutique rouvre dès 1944 et le couple se lance dans les achats : fonds de studios photographiques, de photographes professionnels, amateurs, périodiques illustrés, arts graphiques, bibliophilie… le but des fondateurs est de réunir de quoi répondre à tout besoin iconographique. En digne fille d’inventeur, Hélène Roger est sensible à la propriété intellectuelle. Aussi est-il décidé de prêter les tirages et de ne céder que des droits de reproduction en fonction des utilisations qu’en font les clients. Classées sans recours à un thésaurus mais suivant une logique intellectuelle et commerciale imparable, les collections évoluent de manière organique et en suivant les demandes et évolutions de la profession d’iconographe ; menée avec une efficacité redoutable, la numérisation fera un temps de Roger-Viollet un précurseur parmi les agences historiques. Pour faire passer à la postérité et pouvoir étudier ce que furent les agences, il est indispensable de conserver dans leur intégrité des pièces très diverses dans un ordre respectant ce qui fut : vie économique, pratiques et usages, évolutions, contacts et contrats entre les acteurs du système, ouvrages produits et justificatifs… tout fait sens, et seul le tout permet de saisir les tenants et aboutissants de cette industrie qui fut lucrative.
Exposer une revue : l’exemple de Réalités (1946-1964). Maison européenne de la photographie (Paris), 16 janvier – 30 mars 2008
Authors: Mondenard Anne de
Published: October 2018

Le propos de cet article est de retracer les enjeux qui ont présidé à la présentation de l’exposition « Réalités un mensuel illustré français (1946-1978) » à la Maison européenne de la photographie, en 2008. Créé en 1946, Réalités a pour ambition de raconter l’actualité sur un rythme mensuel. Il a cessé de paraître en 1978. Longtemps oublié, il est pourtant un des titres les plus novateurs et les plus influents des années 1950-1960. Son audience le place alors parmi les journaux les plus lus et les plus regardés en France. Le mensuel a donné une place grandissante à la photographie en recrutant des photographes comme Édouard Boubat et Jean-Philippe Charbonnier, tout en publiant les auteurs les plus actifs et talentueux de la période : Haas, Penn, Avedon, etc. Le projet de l’exposition était de rendre compte de la place prise par la photographie dans la revue, pendant les années les plus flamboyantes (1946-1964). Deux directeurs artistiques incarnent cette période : Albert Gilou (1950-1961) et son adjoint Jacques Dumons (1961-1964). En 1965, la revue change de format pour des raisons économiques. Elle est visuellement moins intéressante. L’exposition ne proposait pas des tirages des images publiées mais des photographies imprimées et mises en page, pour attirer l’attention sur des couvertures, des articles illustrés ou des doubles pages, selon une organisation et un dispositif attractifs pour le visiteur.
Le référendum des interprétations
Authors: Munteanu Irina
Published: October 2018

Le 6 et 7 octobre, en Roumanie, une initiative visait à obtenir la consécration constitutionnelle de la définition traditionnelle de la famille. Le projet de révision cherchait ainsi à empêcher les interprétations et/ou les modifications législatives ultérieures favorables au mariage entre personnes de même sexe ainsi que celles sur l’adoption des enfants par les couples de même sexe. Voici un court bilan de l’initiative.
Effect of Magnetic Field on the Fiber Orientation during the Filling Process in Injection Molding, Part 1: Simulation and Mold Design
Authors: Chung Chen Yuan , Chen Shia Chung , Lin Kuan Ju
Published: October 2018

Conductive polymer composite material is increasingly applied in a variety of fields, and its related processing technology has been a focus of research and development. Regarding magnetic fiber, because the orientation and distribution of the fiber affect the electrical and mechanical properties of products, the control of fiber orientation and distribution has been regarded as a key technology. This study used magnetic-assisted injection molding to control the orientation of magnetic fibers during the melt-polymer filling process. A special mold containing a magnetic apparatus was simulated and designed. Its material and thickness of various spacing blocks as well as the optimal layout of magnets in the mold were determined. An actual mold with the same magnet layout was then manufactured accordingly, and the measured magnetic flux density was compared with simulated results. This study also examined the coupled effect of magnetic and flow fields on the orientation of nickel-coated carbon fibers, calculating the magnetic moment produced due to the influence of the magnetic field on the fibers when melt polymer flowed through various positions in the cavity during the filling process. The flow trajectories of the fibers, which were affected by the magnetic field, were also predicted.
The Usage of Recycled Material in Rotational Molding Process for Production of Septic Tank
Authors: Chaisrichawla Suradej , Dangtungee Rapeephun
Published: October 2018

Rotational molding is the forming process that use in produce large product, complexity product and hollow product with the limitation of process ability and material. Most of the rotational molding is a large product with a longer useful life compare to other technique, so to reused the material from other process can help to increase the competition of rotational molding in the market. This paper chooses recycled HDPE from blowing process due to it generally used by the market and not difficult to find. So in this paper choose to studies the blend of virgin LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) and recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene) for application in septic tank by rotational molding process. Various ratio of blending were investigated to find the morphology, mechanical properties and the relation of melt flow rate and rheology. Mechanical properties are generally referred to tensile test, hardness test, impact strength and Morphology by Scanning Electron Microscope. Many studies have carried out to investigate about rotational molding forming process control, mold and process condition, some on material ability and new material to used in rotational molding to improve the mechanical properties and various technique in forming by rotational molding. But this article will investigated more about the use of recycled material from other forming technique process (which refer to blowing process in this article) to use in rotational molding process for produce septic tank compare to the commercial quality.
Effect of Cr/Mo on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Al-Nb Alloy
Authors: Jiang Zhu Hang , Li Ning , Zhao Cheng Zhi , Zhang He Xin , Li Zhi Ming
Published: October 2018

Effects of alloying elements (i.e., variable content of Mo and C) on the microstructure and compression properties of four types of experimental material based on TiAl-based alloy containing 8 at.% Nb were investigated. The specimens were prepared by vacuum noncollapsable melting technology and followed by a homogenization treatment with air cooling. The compression properties at room and at elevated temperature were evaluated in laboratory air. The results demonstrate that the inter-lamellar space of the alloy decreased with the addition of the Cr and Mo alloying elements. Cr acts a better role in grain refinement, while Mo enhances the content of γ phase in the alloys. The addition of Cr/Mo elements improves the elastic modulus of the material, but reduces the breaking strength due to the absence of the dislocation region found in non-Cr / Mo alloys that resist cracking. The concentrated distribution of γ phase at grain boundaries hinders recrystallization and the tendency of grain orientation.
Facile Synthesis of Ni Nanowire Composite via Liquid Phase Reduction: Effect of a Magnetic Field
Authors: Shamsuri Siti Rahmah , Shiomi Shohei , Matsubara Eiichiro
Published: October 2018

In this research, the nickel nanowire composite is synthesized with the copper foil via a single batch liquid-phase reduction method under a magnetic field. The deposition rate of nickel is investigated by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement. Various magnetic field conditions are used. The effect of magnetic field is investigated based on the changes in the morphology of the synthesized composite nanomaterial. The resulting morphology of the composite structure shows aligned nickel nanowire deposited vertically on the surface of the copper foil in a large area at a higher magnetic field, whereas decreasing the magnetic field leads to a wavy-like nanowire composite structure.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Activities of TiO2-rGO Nanocomposite Catalysts for MB Dye Degradation over Sunlight Irradiation
Authors: Sriwong Chaval , Choojun Kittisak , Tejangkura Worapol , Prasanseang Warot
Published: October 2018

This research aims to investigate photocatalytic activities of titanium dioxide (TiO2) incorporated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite catalysts. These TiO2-rGO photocatalysts were easily prepared through a direct-mixing of TiO2powder suspended in acidic solution under the different amounts of rGO loading (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 wt%). Then, the obtained TiO2-rGO samples were characterized by a several techniques. The results demonstrated that the crystalline phases of all samples are corresponding to pristine TiO2, whereas the characteristic peaks of rGO in the TiO2-rGO nanocomposites could be observed and also well-confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. TEM results showed that the TiO2nanoparticles were well-combined with rGO nanosheets. Moreover, the photocatalytic activities of all TiO2-rGO photocatalyst samples were evaluated by photodegrading of methylene blue (MB) dye solution under natural sunlight irradiation. The results revealed that all TiO2-rGO nanocatalysts exhibited much higher activity than those of the bare TiO2. The improved photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the presence of rGO nanosheets, leading to the decrease of electron (e-) - hole (h+) recombination of TiO2catalyst, increasing charge transfer rate of electrons and surface-adsorbed amount of MB molecules which enhances the photocatalytic activity.
Synthesis of Electrospun Titania Nanofibers for Thermal Lens Study in Heat Transport Applications
Authors: Pescador-Rojas José Alfredo , Jiménez-Pérez José Luis , Sánchez-Ramírez José Francisco , Gutiérrez-Fuentes Rubén , Correa-Pacheco Zormy Nacary , Zúñiga-Zarco José Paz , Orozco-Flores Leonardo Duncan
Published: October 2018

Thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) technique was used to obtain the thermal diffusivity of electrospun Titania nanofibers (TiO2), with average diameter size of 50-80 nm, in water. TiO2nanofibers have been successfully prepared by sol-gel and electrospining techniques. TLS provides reliable alternative to measure the thermal diffusivities of semitransparent materials and low thermal diffusivities. The results show that the nanofluid thermal diffusivity increases with the presence of nanofibers. Complementary techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to characterize the nanofibers morphology, average fiber diameter and chemical composition, respectively.
Fabrication of Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Phenol Imprinted Polyaniline as a Sensor for Phenol Analysis by Potentiometric
Authors: Rahmadhani Sri , Setiyanto Henry , Zulfikar Muhammad Ali
Published: October 2018

A phenol imprinted polymer modified electrode has been prepared by electropolymerization technique in the solution containing aniline as monomer and phenol as a template onto carbon paste electrode surface. A potentiometric method was used to evaluate the performance of the electrodes. Optimization of aniline and phenol composition and a number of polymerization cycles was investigated based on the Nernstian factor. The performance of the electrode sensor is affected by the pH of the analyte solution. Based on the potential response of three different electrodes, it is known that MIP modified electrode has better sensitivity than non-imprinted electrode or bare carbon paste electrode.
Stack-Induced Decrease in Three-Photon Luminescence of CdSe Nanowire
Authors: Liu Fang , Yu Jia Xin
Published: October 2018

The research on the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of CdSe nanowires (NWs) have received widespread attention of researchers. In this work, the higher NLO process of CdSe NW, including three-photon luminescence (3PL) and third harmonic generation (THG), was studied by femtosecond pulse laser excitation. Particularly, we find that different from the 3PL emission of single NW, which follows about fourth power of the excitation intensity, the 3PL of multiple NWs shows a saturation-like behavior. When the excitation power density is low, the slope of fitting curve is almost constant, but with the increase of excitation power, the slope decreases gradually. Since no energy transfer is observed between 3PL and other nonlinear responses, we think the phenomenon may owe to heat accumulation between the NWs.
Divergent TCR-Initiated Calcium Signals Govern Recruitment versus Activation of Human Alloreactive Effector Memory T Cells by Endothelial Cells
Authors: Manes Thomas D. , Wang Vivian , Pober Jordan S.
Published: October 2018

Early human allograft rejection can be initiated when circulating human host versus graft Ag-specific CD8 and CD4 effector memory T cells directly recognize MHC class I and II, respectively, expressed on the luminal surface by endothelium lining graft blood vessels. TCR engagement triggers both graft entry (TCR-driven transendothelial migration or TEM) and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Both TCR-driven TEM and cytokine expression are known to depend on T cell enzymes, myosin L chain kinase, and calcineurin, respectively, that are activated by cytoplasmic calcium and calmodulin, but whether the sources of calcium that control these enzymes are the same or different is unknown. Using superantigen or anti-CD3 Ab presented by cultured human dermal microvascular cells to freshly isolated peripheral blood human effector memory T cells under conditions of flow (models of alloantigen recognition in a vascularized graft), we tested the effects of pharmacological inhibitors of TCR-activated calcium signaling pathways on TCR-driven TEM and cytokine expression. We report that extracellular calcium entry via CRAC channels is the dominant contributor to cytokine expression, but paradoxically these same inhibitors potentiate TEM. Instead, calcium entry via TRPV1, L-Type Cav, and pannexin-1/P2X receptors appear to control TCR-driven TEM. These data reveal new therapeutic targets for immunosuppression.
Students’ understanding of geometry terminology through the lens of Van Hiele theory
Authors: Alex Jogymol , Mammen Kuttickattu J.
Published: October 2018

After a long six-year lapse, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement introduced in 2012 included geometry as part of the South African Grade 12 Mathematics Paper 2. The first cohort of matriculation students wrote Paper 2 in 2014. This article reports on the understanding of geometry terminology with which a group of 154 first-year mathematics education students entered a rural South African university in 2015; 126 volunteered to be part of the study. Responses to a 60-item multiple-choice questionnaire (30 verbally presented and 30 visually presented items) in geometry terminology provided the data for the study. A concept’s verbal description should be associated with its correct visual image. Van Hiele theory provided the lens for the study. An overall percentage mean score of 64% obtained in the test indicated that the majority of the students had a fairly good knowledge of basic geometry terminology. The students obtained a percentage mean score of 68% on visually presented items against that of 59% on verbally presented items implying a lower level thinking as per Van Hiele theory. The findings of this study imply a combination approach using visual and verbal representations to enhance conceptual understanding in geometry. This has to be complemented and supplemented through scaffolding to fill student teachers’ content gap.
Mitochondrial DNA content of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in ART untreated & stavudine/zidovudine treated HIV-1-infected patients
Authors: Subashini Dhakshinamoorthy , Dinesha Thongadi Ramesh , Srirama Rao B. , Boobalan Jayaseelan , Poongulali Selvamuthu , Chitra Devaraj A. , Mothi Sarvode N. , Solomon Sunil Suhas , Saravanan Shanmugam , Solomon Suniti , Balakrishnan Pachamuthu
Published: October 2018

Background & objectives:

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are known to cause mitochondrial toxicity. This study was done to estimate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected, NRTI treated and antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients and evaluate the utility of mtDNA content as a biomarker of mitochondrial toxicity.

Methods:

mtDNA content in PBMCs of 57 HIV-infected ART untreated and 30 ART treated with stavudine (d4T) or zidovudine (AZT) containing regimen were compared against 24 low-risk healthy controls (LoRHC).

Results:

There was a significant (P=0.01) reduction in mtDNA content among HIV-infected (104; 80-135) compared to LoRHC (127; 110-167), and it was the same in both the treated (104.8; 88-130) and untreated patients (104.7; 78-142). mtDNA significantly (P=0.014) declined in ART treated patients symptomatic for toxicity (97; 74-111) than the asymptomatic patients (128; 103- 153).

Interpretation & conclusions:

mtDNA depletion in PBMCs was evident among HIV-infected individuals on ART. Moreover, as mtDNA content was reduced among the patients symptomatic for toxicity than the asymptomatic in both the HIV-infected groups, the current study supports mtDNA content of PBMCs to serve as a biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction induced by NRTI and HIV. Longitudinal studies with a large sample need to be done to confirm these findings.
Association of increased risk of asthma with elevated arginase & interleukin-13 levels in serum & rs2781666 G/T genotype of arginase I
Authors: Donthi Suhasini , Neela Venkata Sanjeev Kumar , Gaddam Sumanlatha , Mohammed Hidayath Hussain , Ansari Soheb Sadath , Valluri Vijaya Lakshmi , Sivasai Krovvidi S. R.
Published: October 2018

Background & objectives:

High expression of arginase gene and its elevated level in serum and bronchial lavage reported in animal models indicated an association with the pathogenesis of asthma. This study was undertaken to assess the serum arginase activity in symptomatic asthma patients and healthy controls and to correlate it with cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13] and arginase I (ARG1) gene polymorphism.

Methods:

Asthma was confirmed by lung function test according to the GINA guidelines in patients attending Allergy and Pulmonology Clinic, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India, a tertiary care centre, during 2013-2015. Serum arginase was analyzed using a biochemical assay, total IgE and cytokine levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and genotyping of ARG1 for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2781666 and rs60389358 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

Results:

There was a significant two-fold elevation in the arginase activity in asthmatics as compared to healthy controls which correlated with disease severity. Non-atopic asthmatics showed elevated activity of arginase compared to atopics, indicating its possible role in intrinsic asthma. Levels of serum IL-13 and IL-4 were significantly high in asthma group which correlated with disease severity that was assessed by spirometry. A positive correlation was observed between arginase activity and IL-13 concentration. Genetic analysis of ARG1 SNPs revealed that rs2781666 G/T genotype, T allele and C-T haplotype (rs60389358 and rs2781666) were associated with susceptibility to asthma.

Interpretation & conclusions:

This study indicated that high arginase activity and IL-13 concentration in the serum and ARG1 rs2781666 G/T genotype might increase the risk of asthma in susceptible population. Further studies need to be done with a large sample to confirm these findings.
New genetic players in late-onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Misra Anamika , Chakrabarti Sankha Shubhra , Gambhir Indrajeet Singh
Published: October 2018

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) or sporadic AD is the most common form of AD. The precise pathogenetic changes that trigger the development of AD remain largely unknown. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in multiple genes which are associated with AD; most notably, these are ABCA7, bridging integrator 1(B1N1), triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), CD33, clusterin (CLU), complement receptor 1 (CRI), ephrin type-A receptor 1 (EPHA1), membrane-spanning 4-domains, subfamily A (MS4A) and phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM) genes. The proteins coded by the candidate genes participate in a variety of cellular processes such as oxidative balance, protein metabolism, cholesterol metabolism and synaptic function. This review summarizes the major gene loci affecting LOAD identified by large GWASs. Tentative mechanisms have also been elaborated in various studies by which the proteins coded by these genes may exert a role in AD pathogenesis have also been elaborated. The review suggests that these may together affect LOAD pathogenesis in a complementary fashion.
Clinical & epidemiological significance of Kyasanur forest disease
Authors: Munivenkatappa Ashok , Sahay Rima Rakesh , Yadav Pragya D. , Viswanathan Rajalakshmi , Mourya Devendra T.
Published: October 2018

Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a known viral haemorrhagic fever in India, for the last 60 years. However, in recent years, the change in epidemiological profile of the disease has suggested that it is now time to consider KFD as an emerging tropical disease in India. The preference should be to educate not only the villagers where it is being reported or detected but also to public health experts, veterinarians, forest officials and medical professionals to pay attention while seeing a patient overlapping with endemic diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, dengue, chikungunya, malaria and tuberculosis. Although the existence of KFD is known for a long time, updated understanding of its clinical profile in humans is still limited. This article describes in detail the clinical presentation of KFD reported till date. It also highlights geographical distribution of the disease, risk factors for virus transmission, biochemical/haematological findings and control measures. There is an urgent need for research on KFD, particularly for understanding biphasic nature of illness, development of cost-effective diagnostic tools, utility of non-invasive samples for diagnosis and development of new vaccines.
Inequity & burden of out-of-pocket health spending
Authors: Chowdhury Samik , Gupta Indrani , Trivedi Mayur , Prinja Shankar
Published: October 2018

Background & objectives:

Numerous studies have highlighted the regressive and immiserating impact of out-of-pocket (OOP) health spending in India. However, most of these studies have explored this issue at the national or up to the State level, with an associated risk of overlooking intra-State diversities in the health system and health-seeking behaviour and their implication on the financial burden of healthcare. This study was aimed to address this issue by analyzing district level diversities in inequity, financial burden and impoverishing impact of OOP health spending.

Methods:

A household survey of 62,335 individuals from 12,134 households, covering eight districts across three States, namely Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan was conducted during 2014-2015. Other than general household characteristics, the survey collected information on household OOP [sum total of expenditure on doctor consultation, drugs, diagnostic tests etc. on inpatient depatment (IPD), outpatient depatment (OPD) or chronic ailments] and household monthly consumption expenditure [sum total of monthly expenditure on food, clothing, education, healthcare (OOP) and others]. Gini index of consumption expenditure, concentration index and Kakwani index (KI) of progressivity of OOP, catastrophic burden (at 20% threshold) and poverty impact (using district-level poverty thresholds) were computed, for these eight districts using the survey data. The concentration curve (of OOP expenditure) and Lorenz curve (of consumption expenditure) for the eight districts were also drawn.

Results:

The distribution of OOP was found to be regressive in all the districts, with significant inter-district variations in equity parameters within a State (KI ranges from −0.062 to −0.353). Chhota Udepur, the only tribal district within the sample was found to have the most regressive distribution (KI of −0.353) of OOP. Furthermore, the economic burden of OOP was more pronounced among the rural sample (CB of 19.2% and IM of 8.9%) compared to the urban sample (CB of 9.4% and IM of 3.7%).

Interpretation & conclusions:

The results indicate that greater decentralized planning taking into account district-level health financing patterns could be an effective way to tackle inequity and financial vulnerability emerging out of OOP expenses on healthcare.
Molecular distribution and stable carbon isotopic compositions of dicarboxylic acids and related SOA from biogenic sources in the summertime atmosphere of Mt. Tai in the North China Plain
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Wang Gehui , Hou Zhanfang , Liu Xiaodi , Wei Benjie , Wu Can , Cao Cong , Wang Jiayuan , Li Jianjun , Cao Junji , Zhang Erxun , Dong Jie , Liu Jiazhen , Ge Shuangshuang , Xie Yuning
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Molecular distributions and stable carbon isotopic (δ13C values)
compositions of dicarboxylic acids and related secondary organic aerosols
(SOA) in PM2.5 aerosols collected on a day/night basis at the summit of
Mt. Tai (1534 m a.s.l.) in the summer of 2016 were analyzed to investigate
the sources and photochemical aging process of organic aerosols in the
forested highland region of the North China Plain. The molecular
distributions of dicarboxylic acids and related SOA are characterized by the
dominance of oxalic acid (C2), followed by malonic (C3),
succinic (C4) and azelaic (C9) acids. The concentration
ratios of C2 ∕ C4, diacid-C ∕ OC and
C2 ∕ total diacids are larger in the daytime than in the
nighttime, suggesting that the daytime aerosols are more photochemically aged
than those in the nighttime due to the higher temperature and stronger solar
radiation. Both ratios of C2 ∕ C4 (R2>0.5) and
C3 ∕ C4 (R2>0.5) correlated strongly with the
ambient temperatures, indicating that SOA in the mountaintop atmosphere are
mainly derived from the photochemical oxidation of local emissions rather
than long-range transport. The mass ratios of azelaic acid to adipic acid
(C9 ∕ C6), azelaic acid to phthalic aid
(C9 ∕ Ph) and glyoxal to methylglyoxal (Gly ∕ mGly)
and the strong linear correlations of major dicarboxylic acids and related
SOA (i.e., C2, C3, C4, ωC2, Pyr, Gly
and mGly) with biogenic precursors (SOA tracers derived from isoprene,
α/β-pinene and
β-caryophyllene) further suggest that aerosols in this region are
mainly originated from biogenic sources (i.e., tree emissions). C2 concentrations correlated well with aerosol pH, indicating that
particle acidity favors the organic acid formation. The stable carbon
isotopic compositions (δ13C) of the dicarboxylic acids are higher
in the daytime than in the nighttime, with the highest value (-16.5±1.9 ‰) found for C2 and the lowest value (-25.2±2.7 ‰) found for C9. An increase in δ13C values of
C2 along with increases in C2 ∕ Gly and
C2 ∕ mGly ratios was observed, largely due to the isotopic
fractionation effect during the precursor oxidation process.