bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polarizable Models in Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Gruzdev Roman , Soloviev Arkady N.
Published: December 2016

Current work is devoted to the problems of mathematical modeling of electrically polarized nanomaterials using LAMMPS software. There are next methods in this software for modeling of such kind: the fluctuating charge method; the adiabatic core-shell method; the thermalized Drude dipole method. This work provides information on advantages and disadvantages of each method; well-structured scripts for LAMMPS software. As our primary research is devoted to the crystalline elastic materials, much attention is given to the 1st and 2nd methods. Main purpose of research is to build models for zinc oxide (ZnO) for identification of elastic and piezoelectric constants and behavior of nanostructures in different fields. Results for analysis are given in figures and tables.
Simulating Nanoindentation of Thin Cu Films Using Molecular Dynamics and Peridynamics
Authors: Ahadi Aylin , Hansson Per , Melin Solveig
Published: December 2016

Nanoindentation is a useful experimental method to characterize the micromechanical properties of materials. In this study molecular dynamics and peridynamics are used to simulate nanoindentation, with a spherical indenter targeting a thin single crystal Cu film, resting on an infinitely stiff substrate. The objective is to compare the results obtained from molecular dynamic simulations to those obtained using a peridynamic approach as regards the force-displacement curves and the deformation patterns after that the material parameters in the peridynamic model have been fitted to the force displacement curve from the molecular dynamic simulation.
Computational Analysis of Crack Bridging in Bioglass®-Based Porous Scaffolds by Using Polymer Coatings
Authors: Kotoul Michal , Skalka Petr
Published: December 2016

The main drawback still impairing the use of bioactive glasses in load-bearing applications is their intrinsic brittleness. The addition of coating constituted by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) PVA/MFC led to a 10 fold increase of compressive strength and a 20 fold increase of tensile strength in comparison with non-coated scaffolds. Crack bridging by polymer coating was identified by fractographic observations as a main toughening mechanism. In this contribution a detailed computational analysis of crack bridging due to coating film fibrils is presented and an improvement of fracture resistance of coated scaffolds is explained.
Links between the Orientation of Vascular Smooth Muscle and Microscopical Composition of Aortic Segments
Authors: Tonar Zbyněk , Kochová Petra , Cimrman Robert , Perktold Josef , Kubíková Tereza , Demjen Erna , Liška Václav , Králíčková Milena , Witter Kirsti
Published: December 2016

We analyzed histological data statistically describing the distribution of orientations of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) within porcine aorta. The data were correlated with the fractions of actin, desmin, vimentin, elastin and collagen within the same samples. In samples with more contractile VSMC and less elastin, the symmetrical helices of VSMC were arranged closely to each other and they were more concentrated than in samples with fewer actin-and desmin-positive VSMC and more elastin. The findings are suitable for microstructurally-motivated biomechanical modeling of porcine aorta under normal conditions.
Fracture Mechanism of Interpenetrating Iron-Tricalcium Phosphate Composite
Authors: Horynová Miroslava , Casas Luna Mariano , Montúfar Edgar Benjamin , Díaz de la Torre Sebastián , Čelko Ladislav , Klakurková Lenka , Diéguez-Trejo Guillermo , Dvořák Karel , Zikmund Tomáš , Kaiser Jozef
Published: December 2016

The usage of iron alloys for bone fractures treatment has been limited due to its high density and elastic modulus, as compared to bone. In contrast, the use of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), a ceramic that promotes bone healing, is mostly limited by its brittle nature. In the present work the fracture mechanism of a novel iron-TCP interpenetrated composite fabricated by spark plasma sintering was studied. Specimens were subjected to a diametral tensile-strength-test. The work of fracture was determined by indirect tensile loading conditions using the diametral tensile strength test. The results revealed that iron has a clear toughening effect on the microstructure of tricalcium phosphate specimens consolidated by spark plasma sintering. This is a promising result to overcome the limited usage of tricalcium phosphate to treat only non-load bearing bone defects.
Molecular Architecture of Natural Polysaccharide Based Thin Films
Authors: Chudinova Yuliya V. , Kurek Denis V. , Varlamov Valery P.
Published: December 2016

Natural biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharides chitosan, pectin, carrageenan and heparin were used to form thin nanostructured films. In this study using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and force spectroscopy the special characteristics of formation and structure of thin coatings were investigated, three models of the polymers interaction were proposed. Different mechanisms of polymers influence on each other in the bilayers formation were shown, coatings with different surface structure and mechanical properties were formed. The obtained data can be used for the preparation of nanostructured coatings with desired surface parameters.
Theoretical Study of Inter-Planer Ordering of Mg-Based LPSO Structures
Authors: Matsunaka Daisuke , Shibutani Yoji
Published: December 2016

To study the physical origin of the periodic arrangement of the quadrople solute-enriched layers in Mg-based LPSO structures, we carry out first-principles calculations of the formation energy of the L12 cluster and investigate effects of phonon on the inter-planer ordering of the solute-enriched layers using the 1-dimensional chain model with mass change. The formation energy of the L12 cluster increases as the period of the LPSO structure decreases. Thus, it is found that the electron-mediated interaction is short-range repulsive. On the other hand, in the case of considerably heavy mass change, the ordering of the mass changes is stabilized by phonons and the energy gain increases with the concentration of the mass changes, i.e., the short LPSO period is favorable. A promising mechanism of the inter-planer ordering of the LPSO structures is the phonon-mediated interaction of the quadrople layers where heavy solute atoms are enriched as the L12 clusters at SFs.
Magneto-Mechanical Behavior of Iron during Monotonic and Cyclic Loading
Authors: Smaga Marek , Scherthan Lena , Auerbach Hendrik , Wolny Juliusz A. , Schünemann Volker , Beck Tilmann
Published: December 2016

In the present study, flat specimens from polycrystalline α-iron were monotonically and cyclically loaded at ambient temperature for the investigation of magneto-mechanical behavior. The magnetic flux density was measured by a Hall-sensor in in-situ and ex-situ experiments. For the characterization of the magnetic microstructure of α-iron Kerr microscopy was used. Additionally, Moessbauer spectroscopy of specimens in initial state and after failure was performed.
Experimental Determination of Crack Driving Forces for Small Cracks
Authors: Brueckner-Foit Angelika , Pitz Pascal , Grahlmann Phillip , Zeismann Frank
Published: December 2016

The crack tip field of small fatigue cracks was measured using digital image correlation DIC. For this purpose, smooth specimen were fatigued until a certain amount of damage was visible on the surface. This specimens were then placed in a micro-tensile device in the SEM. The grey value patterns obtained at two different load levels were analyzed with DIC. Fitting the Williams series for the crack tip field to the corresponding DIC-displacement field in the crack tip area yielded the mode-I, and the mode-II stress intensity factors together with the T-stresses. It was found that the experimental values of the stress intensity factor were comparatively high with pronounced mode-II contributions.
Effect of Alloying and Thermal Processing on Mechanical Properties of TiAl Alloys
Authors: Chlupová Alice , Heczko Milan , Obrtlík Karel , Beran Přemysl , Kruml Tomáš
Published: December 2016

Two γ-based TiAl alloys with 7 at.% of Nb, alloyed with 2 at.% Mo and 0.5 at.% C, were studied. A heat treatment leading to very fine lamellar microstructure was applied on both alloys. Microstructure after the heat treatment was described and mechanical properties including fatigue behaviour were measured.
The as-received material alloyed with C possesses high strength and very limited ductility, especially at RT. After application of selected heat treatment it becomes even more brittle; therefore, this process could be considered as not appropriate for this alloy.
On the contrary, in the case of Mo alloyed material, both strength and ductility are improved by the heat treatment at RT and usual working temperature (~750 °C). Presence of the β phase is responsible for this effect. The selected heat treatment thus can be an alternative for this alloy to other thermomechanical treatments as high temperature forging.
Tensile Behavior of Single-Crystal Nanosized Copper Beams with Voids
Authors: Melin Solveig , Ahadi Aylin , Hansson Per
Published: December 2016

The tensile response under displacement controlled loading of nanosized single crystal Cu beams, solid or holding square shaped through-the thickness voids, have been investigated through 3D molecular dynamics simulations using free-ware LAMMPS [1]. For the same beam size and void height, the void width along the beam length axis was varied. Two different crystallographic orientations were considered. It was found that, under some circumstances, voids were able to close and heal the beam cross section, causing final failure through necking in the region of the initial void. For other cases instead the void split in two, smaller voids that both eventually healed. A third scenario was that the void widened, splitting the beam in two ligaments that each necked individually. As expected, both defect geometry and crystal orientation influences the mechanical behavior.
Microstructure Evolution of a Precipitation Hardened Cu-Ni-Si Alloy during Low Cycle Fatigue
Authors: Delbove Maxime , Vogt Jean Bernard , Bouquerel Jeremie , Soreau Thierry , François Nicolas , Primaux François
Published: December 2016

The low cycle fatigue (LCF) resistance of a precipitation hardened Cu-Ni-Si alloy has been investigated. Fully reversed strain controlled LCF tests were performed in air at room temperature at a total strain variation Δεt included between 0.6 and 1.5% and at a strain rate equal to 4.10-3 s-1. The cyclic accommodation of the alloy is composed of a hardening step (for Δεt > 0.8 %) followed by a continuous softening until the specimen fracture, except at Δεt = 0.6 % where only a slight softening is observed. For all tested strain variations, the microstructure study of the fatigued alloy by transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed some grains with a high density of isolated short dislocations pinned between two nanoprecipitates. For Δεt ≥ 0.8 %, some grains present also deformation bands observed by TEM. The strain localisation into these bands implies an important shearing of the precipitates. It leads to their dissolution into the copper matrix and forms precipitate-free bands. The resulting macroscale cyclic accommodation depends on the ratio between the two mechanisms of plasticity accommodation at the microscale.
Influence of Fillet Welded Joints Subjected to Cyclic Bending on Fatigue Crack Growth in S355 Steel
Authors: Lewandowski Janusz , Rozumek Dariusz
Published: December 2016

The paper contains the results of experimental work carried out in order to analyse the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks in S355 steel. The tests were performed on plane specimens with the stress concentrators in form of the external two-sided blunt notches. Tests were performed on specimens with fillet welds (concave and convex) made of S355 steel, subjected to cyclic bending.
Mesoscopic Description of Dislocation Patterning Using the Concept of Incompatibility of Strains
Authors: Gröger Roman , Lookman Turab
Published: December 2016

We develop a phase field model that describes the elastic distortion of a ferroelastic material with cubic anisotropy due to an arbitrary dislocation network and a uniform external load. The dislocation network is characterized using the Nye tensor and enters the formulation via a set of incompatibility constraints for the internal strain field. The long-range elastic response of the material is obtained by minimization of the free energy that accounts for higher order terms of the order parameters and symmetry-adapted strain gradients. To demonstrate the performance of the model, a minimal version of continuum dislocation dynamics is used to investigate the simultaneous evolution of the network of geometrically necessary dislocations and the internal strain field.
How to Measure a Dislocation’s Breakthrough Stress to Estimate the Grain Boundary Resistance against Slip Transfer Based on the DFZ-Model of Fracture
Authors: Schaefer Florian , Thielen Matthias , Marx Michael , Motz Christian
Published: December 2016

Stage-I-fatigue-cracks are used as highly localized dislocation sources with well-known Burger’s vectors to study the interaction between dislocations and grain boundaries. This interaction in the plastic zone is of particular interest to understand the fluctuating crack growth in the very short crack regime. In the case of a blocked slip band the dislocations pile up at the grain boundary causing a local stress concentration. The resulting local stress distribution is calculated based on measurements of the dislocation density distribution in the plastic zone. For this purpose the slip line profiles were measured by AFM, the dislocation density distribution was determined and the dislocation-free zone model of fracture (DFZ) was validated. With this it is possible to quantify the grain boundary resistance and to combine geometric and stress approach for grain boundary resistance against slip transfer.
Identity, race and faith: The role of faith in post-Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Klaasen John
Published: December 2016

South Africa has experienced an unprecedented influx of migrants in the 21st century. Immigration and race have contributed to the raising of important questions of identity and social inclusion. Immigration and race are two crucial phenomena for the church in South Africa because the overwhelming majority of immigrants to South Africa are affiliated to Christianity and active participants in worshipping communities.This article is an attempt to critically engage with the complex phenomena of immigration and race for the role of Christianity in identity. I will attempt to show how mainstream Christianity as an open-ended narrative and can provide the space for creative tension between the ‘host’ and ‘stranger’ for identity formation. I will use the theoretical framework of Don Browning’s correlational approach to demonstrate how the experience of immigrants and minority race groups creates identity of self and the constructive other.
Pastoral care as a resource for development in the global healthcare context: Implications for Africa’s healthcare delivery system
Authors: Agbiji Emem , Agbiji Obaji
Published: December 2016

Development is concerned with the transformation of people to foster their health, wholeness and growth. The link between health and development points to religion as potential social capital for development. There is an ongoing debate about the role of pastoral care as a religious resource in global healthcare contexts. This is unfortunately not the case in Africa, as pastoral care has not received sufficient attention for its role in healthcare and development in development discourses. The limited research on pastoral care in healthcare contexts in Africa has implications for African healthcare systems, pastoral care and the delivery of an effective, holistic and quality healthcare service. Taking as its point of departure a thesis about the potential of religion as a social capital resource for development, the article argues for pastoral care as a viable religious resource for healthcare and development. Osmer’s theological task of good practice is employed as an interdisciplinary engagement in dialogue with selective perspectives in the disciplines of development and health and social sciences for appropriate analysis.
The text of the Bible: Hermeneutics, exegesis and interpretation
Authors: Breed Douw G.
Published: December 2016

No abstract available.
Educational building conditions and the health of users
Authors: Abisuga Abiodun Olatunji , Famakin Ibukun O. , Oshodi Olalekan S.
Published: December 2016

In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the educational facility are paramount. The preliminary results of the ongoing research reported here seek to identify defects associated with educational buildings and their effects on the health of polytechnic students and staff in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey, including 34 defects based on a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was used to establish relationships with the health of polytechnic students and staff. Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected based on their schools (faculty) within Lagos State Polytechnic. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the collected data. The results of the study indicate that defects such as plumbing and dampness problems, cobwebs and dust, are prominent in the institution. Also the relationship between building conditions (defects) and health problems was established, with the predictors of the health problems. Based on the findings, it is important for designers and managers of facilities within tertiary institutions to develop and implement design and maintenance policies targeted at minimizing the likelihood of plumbing, dampness, electrical, cobweb and dust problems in educational buildings due to the health risks induced by the defects. It is evident that effective maintenance schedules and policies should be put in place to ensure that facilities are not left to decay before replacement.
The Hindu Rights Action Force and the Definition of the ‘Indian Community’ in Malaysia
Authors: Cangià Flavia
Published: December 2016

The Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) started in 2006 as a coalition of non-governmental organizations and various individuals struggling for the preservation and protection of Hindus’ rights in Malaysia. Although the coalition began as a religious movement, it ended up widening the scope of its mandate so as to include various demands for social and economic rights. The present paper describes some representations of the ‘Indian community’ as these are expressed in HINDRAF's discourses and in some supporters’ views on the condition of Malaysian Indians. In particular, the paper examines processes of ethnic boundary making and unmaking, more specifically how ethnic boundaries are both expanded and contracted on the basis of various socio-cultural and economic factors.
The Reframing of Methodology: Revisiting a PhD Study
Authors: Dubberley Sarah
Published: December 2016

The paper draws on a PhD study to explore some methodological dilemmas associated with the execution of qualitative research when framed within positivist study design. The PhD was linked to an externally funded research project which evaluated the implementation of a custody-based intervention in the secure estate. While the PhD was conceived as a qualitative study, informed by interpretivist methodology and associated epistemology, the wider funded study was informed by positivist tradition and used a quantitative method. This led to dilemmas of both practical and methodological nature. The author revisits her study's methodological position to review issues raised by the research design and suggests an alternative proposal informed methodologically by critical realism which may better serve the study's interests. In doing so, the paper suggests how revisiting previous research may assist us in gaining methodological understanding and allow us to reframe our future endeavours to more useful end.
Neoliberal Nomads: Housing Insecurity and the Revival of Private Renting in the UK
Authors: Bone John
Published: December 2016

This paper offers a critical analysis, including insights from the fledgling sub-discipline of neurosociology, with the aim of challenging some of the key assumptions informing the state supported revival of the UK private rented sector (PRS) as a mainstream form of housing tenure. As is widely recognised, the PRS's expansion has occurred in tandem with the long running decline of social housing and the more recent reversal in the longstanding trend towards increasing owner occupation. This paper asserts that the policies supporting this overall trend are misconceived on a number of fronts, as the loosely regulated UK private rented sector is not only a major contributor to the country's ongoing housing crisis but carries with it a range of unacknowledged economic and social problems including profound effects on personal well-being, some fairly evident and others less so. With respect to the latter, it is argued that coming to an understanding of the negative implications of private renting in the UK under current arrangements, in addition to the more evident issues associated with poor condition and high cost accommodation, also requires an appreciation of the deeper psycho-social effects of involuntary mobility, insecurity and socio-spatial dislocation.
What are the greenhouse gas observing system requirements for reducing fundamental biogeochemical process uncertainty? Amazon wetland CH4 emissions as a case study
Authors: Bloom A. Anthony , Lauvaux Thomas , Worden John , Yadav Vineet , Duren Riley , Sander Stanley P. , Schimel David S.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Understanding the processes controlling terrestrial carbon fluxes is one of the grand challenges of climate science. Carbon cycle process controls are readily studied at local scales, but integrating local knowledge across extremely heterogeneous biota, landforms and climate space has proven to be extraordinarily challenging. Consequently, top-down or integral flux constraints at process-relevant scales are essential to reducing process uncertainty. Future satellite-based estimates of greenhouse gas fluxes – such as CO2 and CH4 – could potentially provide the constraints needed to resolve biogeochemical process controls at the required scales. Our analysis is focused on Amazon wetland CH4 emissions, which amount to a scientifically crucial and methodologically challenging case study. We quantitatively derive the observing system (OS) requirements for testing wetland CH4 emission hypotheses at a process-relevant scale. To distinguish between hypothesized hydrological and carbon controls on Amazon wetland CH4 production, a satellite mission will need to resolve monthly CH4 fluxes at a ∼ 333 km resolution and with a ≤ 10 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 flux precision. We simulate a range of low-earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) CH4 OS configurations to evaluate the ability of these approaches to meet the CH4 flux requirements. Conventional LEO and GEO missions resolve monthly ∼ 333 km Amazon wetland fluxes at a 17.0 and 2.7 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 median uncertainty level. Improving LEO CH4 measurement precision by 2 would only reduce the median CH4 flux uncertainty to 11.9 mg CH4 m−2 day−1. A GEO mission with targeted observing capability could resolve fluxes at a 2.0–2.4 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 median precision by increasing the observation density in high cloud-cover regions at the expense of other parts of the domain. We find that residual CH4 concentration biases can potentially reduce the ∼ 5-fold flux CH4 precision advantage of a GEO mission to a ∼ 2-fold advantage (relative to a LEO mission). For residual CH4 bias correlation lengths of 100 km, the GEO can nonetheless meet the  ≤  10 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 requirements for systematic biases ≤ 10 ppb. Our study demonstrates that process-driven greenhouse gas OS simulations can enhance conventional uncertainty reduction assessments by quantifying the OS characteristics required for testing biogeochemical process hypotheses.
CALIPSO observations of the dependence of homo- and
heterogeneous ice nucleation in cirrus clouds on latitude, season
and surface condition
Authors: Mitchell David L. , Garnier Anne , Avery Melody , Erfani Ehsan
Published: December 2016

Abstract. There are two fundamental mechanisms through which cirrus clouds form; homo- and heterogeneous ice nucleation (henceforth hom and het). The relative contribution of each mechanism to ice crystal production often determines the microphysical and radiative properties of a cirrus cloud. A new satellite remote sensing method is described in this study to estimate cirrus cloud ice particle number concentration and the relative contribution of hom and het to cirrus cloud formation as a function of altitude, latitude, season and surface type (e.g. land vs. ocean). This method uses co-located observations from the Infrared Imaging Radiometer (IIR) and from the CALIOP (Cloud and Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) lidar aboard the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) polar orbiting satellite, employing IIR channels at 10.6 μm and 12.05 μm. The method is applied here to single-layered clouds of visible optical depth between about 0.3 and 3. Two years of Version 3 data have been analyzed for the years 2008 and 2013, with each season characterized in terms of 532 nm cirrus cloud centroid altitude and temperature, the cirrus cloud ice particle number concentration, effective diameter, layer-average ice water content and visible optical depth. Using a conservative criterion for hom cirrus, on average, the sampled cirrus clouds formed through hom occur about 43 % of the time in the Arctic and 50 % of the time in the Antarctic, and during winter at mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, hom cirrus occur 37 % of the time. Elsewhere (and during other seasons in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes), this hom cirrus fraction is lower. Processes that could potentially explain these observations are discussed, as well as the potential relevancy of these results to ice nucleation studies, climate modeling and jet-stream dynamics.
Measurement and modelling of rainfall partitioning by deciduous
Potentilla fruticosa shrub on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Zhang Si-Yi , Li Xiao-Yan
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Rainfall partitioning is a key process of ecosystem water cycle which has not get enough attention in the alpine deciduous shrub. Moreover，there is no apposite analytical model that suits to estimate the rainfall redistribution of the deciduous shrub with great changes in coverage and leaf storage capacity due to foliation and defoliation. Field and laboratory experiments to assess these processes and to determine vegetation and atmospheric parameters were established for deciduous Potentilla fruticosa shrub on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Based on the experimental data, a variable parameter Gash model especially for deciduous shrub rainfall partitioning which is adapted from the revised Gash model was developed to represent these processes. The performance of the variable parameters Gash model in modelling the rainfall partitioning of the deciduous shrub patches is better than that of the original model. The variable parameters Gash model treated the water captured by the stem as that captured by leaf canopy considering the low height of shrub and its low coverage in leafless period. Thus, the model developed here were perfect to represent the rainfall partitioning processes. It was found that the interception, throughfall and stemflow accounted for 21.44 %, 29.26 % and 49.30 % of gross rainfall in the shrub patches during the growing season of 2012, respectively. 42.6 % of the interception was loss by evaporation from the saturated leaf canopy during rainfall events. The results indicate that adaptations of the analytical model in this paper improved its performance and provide hypotheses more near the realities in the deciduous shrub.
Effect of vaccination in lowering the prevalence of bovine brucellosis in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Barddal Janice Elena Ioris , Quixabeira-Santos Jociane Cristina , Lopes Isabela Ferreira , Ferreira Neto José Soares , Ferreira Fernando , Amaku Marcos , Dias Ricardo Augusto , Telles Evelise Oliveira , Grisi-Filho José Henrique Hildebrand , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Gonçalves Vitor Salvador Picão , Aguiar Daniel Moura
Published: December 2016

The study was conducted to verify the efficacy of the bovine brucellosis vaccination program implemented by the state of Mato Grosso, using prevalence as an indicator. The state was divided into four regions: Pantanal, Milk, Fattening, and Breeding. For each region, a predetermined number of properties were selected and blood samples were taken from randomly chosen female animals, aged 24 months or greater. Sera from the animals were initially screened with a buffered acidified plate antigen, and confirmed using complement fixation. In each property, a questionnaire was used in order to identify the risk factors associated with the disease. In the state, the prevalence rate of infected herds was 24.0% [21.3; 26.8] and the prevalence rate of infected animals was 5.1% [3.5; 7.2]. The prevalence rates of infected herds and animals in each region were as follows: 21.2% and 6.4% in the Pantanal region, 17.2% and 3.7% in the Milk region, 34.0% and 7.2% in the Fattening region, and 24.3% and 4.4% in the Breeding region. Bovine brucellosis in the state is associated with the introduction of breeding, herd size, pasture sharing, and farms used for mixed and beef purposes. Therefore, in order to improve control of bovine brucellosis, it is proposed that the state of Mato Grosso intensify its prophylactic program, primarily its vaccination strategy. There has been a reduction in the prevalence of infected herds since 2002; however, there remains a high prevalence of infected herds and animals throughout the state. Additionally, the use of non-inducing antibodies vaccine should be encouraged, especially in the Pantanal region where the management of the animals is complicated by the flood and ebb cycle. The state should make greater efforts to educate producers on how to assess the breeding animals for brucellosis before introducing them into their properties as well as avoid shared grazing among herds of unknown health conditions.
Evaluation of optimal storage time of tuberculous lesions stored in sodium borate
Authors: Morato Flávia , Ikuta Cássia Yumi , Gonçales Amane Paldês , Souza Gisele Oliveira de , Amaku Marcos , Cortez Adriana , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Ferreira Neto José Soares
Published: December 2016

Preservation of specimens during transportation between abattoirs and diagnostic laboratories defines a critical stage in the definitive diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis by the isolation of Mycobacterium bovis. A 2-step study was designed to verify the maximum time that tissue samples can be stored in saturated sodium borate solution (SSB) with the highest detection of M. bovis isolates. Ninety hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with a suspension of M. bovis strain AN5 and were humanely euthanized after 40 days. Their spleens were collected and stored in SSB during four distinct periods (30, 60, 90 and 120 days) with incubation at two temperatures (27°C and 37°C). The control group was cultured on the day of euthanasia. Sixty-nine suspected tuberculous lesions samples were collected in the abattoir and were stored in SSB for three periods (30, 60 and 90 days) at 27°C in the laboratory. The bovine control group was cultured on the day of entry in the laboratory. Both experiments were analyzed separately based on the growth proportion of isolates and the number of colonies. SSB was able to maintain the viability of most M. bovis at high temperatures for up to 30 days. A progressive decline was observed with other storage periods at 27°C, and no growth was obtained after 60-day storage at 37°C. Despite the loss in viability of M. bovis, SSB is the most favorable choice to preserve specimens during transportation across a large country with high variation in environmental temperature. The sensitivity of M. bovis detection by bacteriological examination is inversely proportional to storage time. Therefore, the storage of tuberculous lesion specimens in SSB is recommended to not exceed 30 days at 27°C before cultivation.
Effect of pasteurization on the decay of Mycobacterium bovis in milk cream
Authors: Rodrigues Livia De Andrade , Starikoff Karina Ramirez , Souza Gisele Oliveira de , Ferreira Neto José Soares , Ferreira Fernando , Amaku Marcos , Dias Ricardo Augusto , Grisi-Filho José Henrique Hildebrand , Gonçalves Vítor Salvador Picão , Cortez Adriana , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Telles Evelise Oliveira
Published: December 2016

Milk cream must be pasteurized in order to be sold in Brazil. However, there are no specific legal requirements for this product, and producers set their own pasteurization parameters using the ones approved for milk as a reference. Considering that fat protects bacteria from heat, that no thermal inactivation studies have been performed on Mycobacterium bovis present in cream, and that bovine tuberculosis is endemic in Brazil, the aim of this study was to evaluate the inactivation of M. bovis in milk cream subjected to commercial parameters of pasteurization. Milk cream samples were contaminated and pasteurized in a water bath at 75, 80, 85, and 90°C for 5 and 15 s. M. bovis cells were plated onto Stonebrink-Leslie medium, incubated at 36°C for 45 days, and quantified; the result was expressed in log CFU mL-1. The fat content of the samples ranged from 34% to 37% and the average initial load of M. bovis was 8.0 Log CFU mL-1. The average decay of the M. bovis populations was 4.0, 4.3, 4.9 and 6.7 log CFU mL-1 when the cream was incubated for 15 sec at 75, 80, 85 and 90°C, respectively, showing that the efficiency of the heat treatment was improved by increasing the temperature of the process. Given the lipophilic nature of M. bovis, the cream should be subjected to more intense parameters of pasteurization than those applied to milk.
Decline in Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella abortus populations during the maturation of experimentally contaminated parmesan-type cheese
Authors: Starikoff Karina Ramirez , Fontanesi Camila Diniz , Maciel Fernanda Moraes , Ikuta Cássia Yumi , Ferreira Fernando , Ferreira Neto José Soares , Dias Ricardo Augusto , Amaku Marcos , Cortez Adriana , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Grisi-Filho José Henrique Hildebrand , Gonçalves Vítor Salvador Picão , Silva Paulo Henrique Fonseca da , Paula Junio Cesar Jacinto de , Telles Evelise Oliveira
Published: December 2016

Brazilian legislation allows the manufacture of raw milk cheese with a maturation exceeding 60 days at room temperature above 5°C, but there is a lack of solid scientific evidence on the efficacy of this maturation process in inactivating important pathogens that may be present in milk, such as Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella abortus. Thus, the objectives of this study were to produce parmesan-type cheese experimentally contaminated with M. bovis and B. abortus and evaluate the survival of these pathogens along 2-month maturation. Parmesan-type cheese was manufactured in the laboratory using whole pasteurized milk with or without inoculation with M. bovis (SB1033) or B. abortus (1119-3) and matured at 18°C for up to 63 days. M. bovis was inoculated in Stonebrink-Leslie medium supplemented with antibiotics and incubated at 37°C for 45 days, and B. abortus was incubated in Farrel medium at 36°C for 3 days. The average D18°C value, weighted by variance, was 37.5 ± 5.3 days for M. bovis and 5.9 ± 0.7 days for B. abortus. The average physicochemical parameters in the cheese at the end of the study were as follows: pH = 4.89, water activity = 0.976, and moisture percentage = 43.1%. The pH might have contributed to the reduction in the population of B. abortus but seems not to have influenced the population of M. bovis. We conclude that the duration of the maturation process influences the size of the surviving populations of M. bovis and B. abortus, and that the shortening of the maturation duration might not ensure a decline in pathogen levels to safe levels. Thus, complementary studies considering the effect of several other technological aspects on the survival of these pathogens are required, including the effect of the lactic acid bacterial population, salt content, and temperature of maturation.
Bovine and human brucellosis in the Trans-Amazonian agricultural frontier, Uruará, Pará, Brazil
Authors: Homem Valéria Stacchini Ferreira , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Higa Zenaide Maria de Morais , Ferreira Neto José Soares
Published: December 2016

We evaluated the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and humans on properties characterized as family farms in the municipality of Uruará, state of Pará, located on the border of the Trans-Amazon Highway, in a serological study. We randomly sampled cattle and humans from 67 family farms. Cattle sera were tested with buffered acidified antigen and human samples were tested using the slow tube agglutination test (titration of 80 as a cutoff point). The prevalence of bovine brucellosis was 52% [90% CI: 42; 63]. The prevalence of households with at least one brucellosis positive individual was 21% [13; 31]. In households with at least one positive test, 23% of subjects were positive (range 8% and 50%). Five percent (21/422) of all human samples tested were positive. This high exposure rate in humans is a result of high cattle infection rates. We expect that in regions of Brazilian with a high prevalence of bovine brucellosis, there is also a high rate human exposure; however, few human cases have been reported. This is likely because of the largely non-specific symptoms of human Brucella abortus infections. Hopefully this study will bring about new information to public and animal health authorities involved in formulating policies aimed at decreasing disease prevalence.
O curso “Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem” e a formação de professores: estratégias didáticas diferenciadas para uma capacitação à distância
Authors: Fujita Oscar Massaru
Published: December 2016

O presente texto tem como objetivo descrever os processo metodológico e as estratégias didáticas adotadas no curso de Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA) oferecido pela Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL-PR). Este curso foi oferecido na modalidade de Educação a Distância (EAD) entre o período de agosto a dezembro de 2014, com carga horária de 60 horas, tendo como público alunos da Graduação e Pós-Graduação, funcionários e professores das mais diversas áreas do conhecimento desta instituição. Teve como objetivo promover reflexões sobre a inserção das TDIC (Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação) no ambiente escolar, oferecer subsídios teóricos sobre EAD e, de forma prática, criar estratégias didáticas para o seu desenvolvimento. Este curso AVA destaca-se por ser o primeiro curso de Extensão Universitária oferecido pela UEL voltado especificamente para a temática EAD e Formação de Professores. A pesquisa teve uma abordagem qualitativa do tipo pesquisa-ação. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de observações, percepções e principalmente pelos depoimentos dos participantes. A metodologia adotada no curso foi a Metodologia Ativa de Aprendizagem e as estratégias didáticas baseadas no PBL (Problem Based Learning). De acordo com o apresentado, os resultados foram considerados satisfatórios no tocante a aprendizagem, ao desenvolvimento e aproveitamento dos alunos.
A (in)constitucionalidade da redução salarial prevista pelo programa de proteção ao emprego (lei n. 13.189/2015)
Authors: Souza Oreonnilda De , Oliveira Lourival José de
Published: December 2016

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a constitucionalidade da Lei n. 13.189/2015 que criou o Programa de Proteção ao Emprego, partindo dos fundamentos da valorização do trabalho humano, da dignidade humana e da efetividade dos objetivos da República. O Programa prevê a redução temporária da jornada de trabalho e do salário em até 30% às empresas que comprovarem dificuldades econômico-financeiras. O governo complementará, parcialmente, a remuneração do trabalhador com recursos do Fundo de Amparo ao Trabalhador. Pelo método dedutivo, a partir de revisão bibliográfica, verificou-se a falta de efetividade dos direitos fundamentais sociais e a precarização dos direitos trabalhistas.
Attitude towards and Perception of Literature in EFL Setting: A Case Study on QU Male Undergraduate Students
Authors: Alfauzan Abdullah H. , Hussain Abduljabbar G.
Published: December 2016

The study attempts to investigate the attitude and perception of Saudi undergraduate students towards English literature courses as a part of their BA English Program at a large public university in KSA. A total of 59 students (25 studying a literature course, 25 linguistics course and nine had already passed at least one literature course) participated in the study. Applying mixed method research design, questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data and retrospective essays were used for qualitative data. A modified version of AMTB developed by Gardner and associates was used to measure students' attitude towards literature courses. The results of study show that the participants have positive attitude towards literature courses. The findings also suggest that learners’ social environment (family, friends, classmates, teachers…etc.) significantly contribute in constructing positive attitudes and enhancing their perception towards literature as medium of learning L2. The study has pedagogical implication too. Policy makers (administrator, curriculum developers, and teachers) need to accommodate learners’ voices in the selection of teaching material.
Study of Motives of Chinese Business English Development Based on the Theory of Human Capital
Authors: Meichang Ouyang , Wenzhong Zhu , Dan Liu
Published: December 2016

Business English in China has evolved into a cross-disciplinary program from ESP, with more than 1000 universities having set the program of business English in bachelor, master or doctor degree levels. In general, it has undergone a rapid development and enjoyed a more and more social recognition. This paper tries to uncover the underlying motives of the quick development of the program based on the perspective of human capital theory, and find out the possible relationship between business English teaching development and human capital The results conclude that there exists the relationship between them, and the theory of human capital opens a novel theoretical foundation for the related researches.
An Intercultural Reading Programme (IRP) to Enhance Intercultural Knowledge among Secondary School Students
Authors: Singh Manjet Kaur Mehar , Marsani Fatin Najwa Amelia , Jaganathan Paramaswari , Abdullah Ahmad Sofwan Nathan
Published: December 2016

As a multi ethnic country, Malaysia consists of three major ethnic groups mainly Malays, Chinese, and Indians with unity as its building block. Although education is seen as the best medium for the three major ethnic groups to work together, contemporary research shows that there is lack of intercultural understanding among these three ethnic groups. Therefore, this study focused on a classroom intervention to investigate how Malaysian based English literature can be utilized to promote intercultural understanding among Form Four secondary school students via reading. This qualitative research design study collected data through focus group interviews and journal entry. This research explored intercultural knowledge among Form Four students through the Intercultural Reading Program (IRP). Findings indicate that the IRP intervention improved Form Four students’ level of intercultural knowledge. This research puts forward suggestions to the Ministry of Education such as integrating IRP in its secondary schools’ English Literature curriculum.
Factors for Culling Risk due to Pregnancy Failure in Breeding-Female Pigs
Authors: Tani Satomi , Koketsu Yuzo
Published: December 2016

A high occurrence of culling due to pregnancy failure disturbs the flow of pig production and decreases productivity of female pigs in commercial breeding herds. The objective of the present study was to quantify changes in culling risk due to pregnancy failure [CRPF] in breeding-female pigs due to variation in outdoor climate and production factors. The data included 240 143 parity records and 54 858 lifetime records of female pigs in 99 commercial herds located in humid subtropical and continental climate zones. The weather data were acquired from 21 local meteorological observatories close to the studied herds. Mean daily average temperature [Tmean] and relative humidity [RH] during the 21-day pre-mating period for each female were matched with the female’s reproductive data. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were applied to the data. Mean by-parity and lifetime CRPF (± SE) were 3.6 ± 0.04% and 20.1 ± 0.17%, respectively. An increase in by-parity CRPF was associated with higher Tmean, higher gilt age at first-mating, fewer pigs born alive and prolonged weaning-to-first-mating interval (P < 0.05), but not with mean RH (P > 0.18) or weaning age (P ≥ 0.31). For instance, CRPFs for female pigs in parities 0-5 were 1.5-2.4% higher at Tmean 30 °C than at 10 °C (P < 0.05). Therefore, producers are recommended to closely monitor at-risk female pigs and apply advanced cooling equipment to reduce heat stress, and provide appropriate management to prevent increased CRPF in female pigs.
Determining Optimal Dose of Chemical Fertilizer on Biofortified Bean in Sud-Kivu Highlands
Authors: Clérisse Casinga , Ghislain Haminosi , Legrand Cirimwami
Published: December 2016

Rational application of chemical fertilizer increases crop yield of biofortified bean. This study aimed at determining the optimal dose of chemical fertilizer to apply on two biofortified bean varieties used in the community in order to maximize their yield. Following a split-plot design, a field experiment was carried out on CODMLB001 and HM21-7 varieties, in Kashusha (Kabare territory) in Sud-Kivu Highlands, after a strategic application of increasing doses of chemical fertilizer NPK 17-17-17 (D0: Control; D1: 50 kg ha-1; D2: 75 kg ha-1; D3: 100 kg ha-1; D4: 125 kg ha-1 and D5: 150 kg ha-1). The said doses were applied on the sowing day in a parallel gutter at 5cm from the sowing line. The germination rate, the number of days at both the flowering stage and the stage of physiological maturity, as well as the number of harvested crops and beans per plant, number of beans per pod, weight per 1000 grains and yield were observed. Positive and negative interaction between different increasing doses of chemical fertilizers regarding the two varieties were observed. This strategic application allows increased performance according to considered varieties and doses. For instance, the HM21-7 variety gave the best performance with the D5 dose, while the CODMLB001 variety did better under D2.