bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THICKNESS ACCURACY OF TEAK BARK BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Vendruscolo Diogo Guido Streck , Cerqueira Clebson Lima , Carvalho Samuel de Pádua Chaves e , Medeiros Reginaldo Antonio , Silva Raiane Scandiane da
Published: July 2019

Estimates of tree bark thickness are fundamental for forest management, however, the degree of precision is conditioned to the adoption of efficient modeling techniques. The objective of this study was to evaluate and propose a model of artificial neural networks to estimate the thickness of the tree bark of Tectona grandis (Teak). The data originated from the measurement of 68 dominant trees, ranging in age from 6 to 33 years. The thickness of the bark was correlated with variables inherent to the tree, being: diameter in the different positions of the stem (di); diameter at 1.3 m height (dbh); total height (ht); relative height (hi_rel); and age (id). The trained networks were of the multilayer perceptron type, and a linear regression model was adjusted as a comparative support. The accuracy of the estimates was evaluated through statistical indicators and graphical analysis. The results showed a strong correlation between bark thickness and tree diameter, as well as relative height, with values above 0.70. Age also exerted a strong influence on the thickness of the bark of the trees. The artificial intelligence technique has demonstrated the potential for such application and the model proposed with the input variables: diameter, relative height and age was the one that presented the best statistical performance, and thus was the most suitable for predicting the bark in Teak trees.
QUALITY OF CLONAL SEEDLINGS OF Tectona grandis Linn F. ROOTED IN DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF INDOLEBUTYRIC ACID
Authors: Kratz Dagma , Di Carvalho Maria Angélica , Barbosa Filho Joamir
Published: July 2019

The general objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different IBA concentrations on greenhouse, shade and full sun survival, root vigor and seedling quality in Tectona grandis. To do so, mini-cuttings were prepared containing two pairs of leaves reduced to 25% of their original size (7.0 ± 1.0 cm) in length and bevel cut at the base. They were submitted to five treatments with different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (0, 500, 1000, 1500 e 2000 mg L-1), remaining in greenhouse, house of shade and in full sun for 30, 20 and 15 days, respectively. Survival was evaluated in greenhouse, house of shade and full sun; radicial vigor, height, diameter of the neck, ratio between shoot height and diameter, root dry mass, aerial, and total mass. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five replications of 15 plants and five treatments. Data were submitted to the normality test, Bartlett test and polynomial regression of the second degree. As a result, it was verified that the use of IBA did not influence root vigor and survival, however, it provided seedlings with a higher dry mass, being the best the 2000 mg L-1 treatment.
ANALYSIS OF INDICATORS AND COST OF WORLD CLASS MAINTENANCE (WCM) IN FOREST MACHINES
Authors: Cavassin Diniz Carlos Cezar , Da Silva Lopes Eduardo , De Magalhães Miranda Gabriel , Soares Koehler Henrique , Kremer Custodio de Souza Eduardo
Published: July 2019

The study was carried out at a forest company located in the Paraná State, Brazil, with the feller buncher, skidder and harvester. The following indicators were evaluated: mechanical availability, mean time between failures, mean time to repair, proactive maintenance index and maintenance costs, based on data obtained over a period of 18 months, contemplating the stages of implantation, maturation and stabilization of the WCM. The results showed an increase in the mechanical availability of the cutting and skidding machines from the implantation stage. The mean time between failures increased from the implantation stage, from 31.59 hours to 37.01 hours in the stabilization stage. As for the mean time to repairs, skidder and harvester presented an increase of 25.9% and 18.9% respectively; however, this increase in time represented an improvement in the quality of maintenance services, reflected in the results of mean time between failures. There was also a 31% increase in the proactive index of the machines studied, resulting in 9% reduction in maintenance costs between the deployment and stabilization stages.
SOFTWARE FOR FOREST SPECIES RECOGNITION BASED ON DIGITAL IMAGES OF WOOD
Authors: Oliveira Wellington De , Paula Filho Pedro Luiz de , Martins Jefferson Gustavo
Published: July 2019

Classifying forest species is an essential process for the correct management of wood and forest control. After cutting off the trunk of the tree, many of the characteristics of the species are lost and identifying them becomes a much more difficult task. In this context, an anatomical analysis of the wood becomes necessary, needing to be done by specialists who know very well the cellular structures of each species. However, such methodology approaches few automated techniques, making it a delayed and error-prone activity. These factors undermine environmental control and decision-making. The use of computer vision is an alternative to automatic recognition, since it allows the development of intelligent systems, in which, from images, are able to detect features and perform a final classification. One of the techniques of Computer Vision is the use of Convolutional Neural Networks, technique that represents the state of the art in this area, it is the construction of models capable of interpreting patterns in images. This research addresses experiments using convolutional neural networks for recognizing forest species from digital images. Two original datasets were used, one including macroscopic images and the other including microscopic images, for which three models were created: scale recognition, species recognition from macroscopic images and species recognition from microscopic. The best models provide 100% recognition rates for the scale dataset, 98.73% for the macroscopic and 99.11% for the microscopic which made possible to develop a software as a final product, using these three models.
Negociação de assuntos interculturais em espaços telecolaborativos
Authors: Schaefer Rodrigo , Luna José Marcelo Freitas de
Published: July 2019

O uso da Internet na área do ensino e aprendizagem de línguas destaca-se como objeto de estudos. No entanto, não há revisão de trabalhos sobre a negociação de significados em contextos telecolaborativos, possibilitados pelo uso da Internet. Essa constatação, assim como a relevância de revisões de literatura, nos ajudou a delinear o objetivo desse estudo, qual seja, compreender a relação entre o uso da telecolaboração e a negociação de assuntos interculturais por quatro trabalhos: Understanding the ‘Other Side’: Intercultural Learning in a Spanish-English E-mail Exchange (O’DOWD, 2003); The use of vídeo conferencing and e-mail as mediators of intercultural student ethnography (O’DOWD, 2006); Using e-learning to develop intercultural awareness in ELT: a critical evaluation in a Thai higher education setting (BAKER, 2012a); e  Exploring ‘new’ interculturality online (DERVIN, 2014). A análise apontou que o contato entre culturas diferentes não garante o entendimento intercultural e que o conceito de cultura permanece associado com uma concepção essencialmente nacional.
A dialética discursiva das vozes materializadas nos versos da quadra popular
Authors: Cestari Wildman Dos Santos
Published: July 2019

RESUMO: O tema central desta pesquisa é o estudo do gênero, especificamente, delimita-se ao estudo das propriedades que caracterizam a quadra popular enquanto gênero discursivo. Busca analisar a quadra popular, observando, na materialidade linguística dos versos, nas formas composicionais e verbais, na organização estilística, no tema, na entoação expressiva e na singularidade de seu enunciador, aspectos constituidores de discursividades que a fazem atuar como gênero discursivo. Justifica-se por ser a quadra popular dotada de relativa estabilidade, graças ao seu processo compositivo que, ao variar palavras e versos, faz dela portadora de vozes discursivas. Metodologicamente, trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, fundamentada na teoria de Bakhtin e seu Círculo. Os resultados mostram que as características genéricas da quadra popular se constituem de discursividades, fazendo-a, portanto, atuar como um gênero discursivo.
Variação linguística e a construção de identidade de jovens indígenas no MS
Authors: Barbosa Bruna Carolini , Silva Kleber Ferreira Da , Facundo Josiane Junia , Almeida Ana Lúcia De Campos
Published: July 2019

O presente artigo objetivou analisar a variação linguística numa comunidade indígena da região de Dourados-MS, a fim de identificar em quais práticas de letramento alguns membros da comunidade - grupo focalizado neste estudo - estão inseridos e como essas práticas interferem na oralidade desse grupo. As análises foram realizadas a partir de uma produção musical - “Eju Orendive” - de uma entrevista com o grupo de Rap “Brô MC’s”, eventos registrados e disponíveis no Youtube. Embora de abordagem variacionista, a ênfase não está na quantificação, não se esgotando na quantidade de ocorrência dos fenômenos; caracteriza-se, portanto, como uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativo-interpretativista, além de refletir sobre as práticas de letramento que influenciam suas manifestações culturais. As bases teóricas que embasaram a pesquisa partiram dos novos estudos do letramento, identidade e variação linguística. Os resultados demonstraram que as práticas sociais dessa comunidade com o uso da escrita são permeadas pela cultura da sociedade majoritária, dando origem a formas híbridas de linguagem e letramento, expressas na sua arte e nos seus falares.
O papel da ficha de avaliação e da escuta no ensino do gênero seminário
Authors: Abreu-Tardelli Lília Santos , Voltero Kelli Mileni
Published: July 2019

RESUMO: O artigo parte de uma proposta de ficha de avaliação do seminário oral que visa à formação docente e discente na universidade. A ficha é utilizada em um curso de graduação em Letras para avaliar o gênero seminário em que os discentes apresentam o resultado de um tema selecionado e pesquisado. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir esse dispositivo didático tendo em vista a validade desse instrumento como norteador das futuras ações discentes e docentes, assim como a relevância do papel da escuta durante o seminário. A proposta visa contribuir, de forma mais ampla, para a reflexão sobre o ensino de gêneros orais no espaço acadêmico/escolar, mais especificamente da apresentação oral ou seminário, assim como para a importância de se considerar a avaliação do ouvinte de forma geral (e não apenas do professor).
A Parábola como instrumento linguístico mediador na pedagogia de Jesus acerca do Reino
Authors: Domingues Dos Santos Rodrigues João Carlos
Published: July 2019

Este artigo tem por objetivo promover uma aproximação entre a prática pedagogia de Jesus, empregada em seu fazer teológico, especialmente nas ‘Parábolas do Reino’, e o Interacionismo Sociodiscursivo (ISD) proposto por Bronckart. Partindo do pressuposto vygotiskyano da linguagem como ordenadora do real e baktiniano, dos gêneros textuais como enunciados relativamente estáveis por meio dos quais interagimos com o mundo, podemos lançar nosso olhar para a atividade linguageira de Jesus como uma ação singular pela qual a tomada de consciência não é a descoberta de um objeto mental inacessível, mas a redescoberta, a recriação desse objeto psíquico em um novo contexto. A utilização de um gênero textual bastante presente na vida religiosa judaica (a parábola) para transmitir a notícia do Reino, compõem o cenário de produção e o enredo das quatro parábolas que analisaremos. As ‘Parábolas do Reino’, presentes no Evangelho segundo Marcos, serão nosso corpus de investigação a partir dos conceitos de atividade de linguagem, texto e discurso apresentados na obra de Bronckart (1999). Pretendemos, ao final deste artigo, promover uma aproximação entre o ISD e os Estudos Bíblicos, até então desconhecido a nós, ampliando não apenas a compreensão acerca do agir pedagógicos de Jesus, mas abrindo espaço para que esse mesmo agir possa se manter eficaz por todos aqueles que pretendem trilhar os passos de Jesus e ser seus imitadores.
Entre dizeres e fazeres: evidências de um processo de formação continuada
Authors: Machado Pereira Luciene Paula
Published: July 2019

O artigo se propõe a apresentar uma análise comparativa entre concepções expressas acerca de língua, texto e trabalho com língua materna e em parte do planejamento pedagógico de professores atuantes nos anos finais do Ensino Fundamental, participantes de curso de formação continuada. Concebendo o planejamento pedagógico como ação de linguagem constitutiva do agir profissional do docente, a relação entre teoria e prática ou entre as concepções internalizadas e as situações didáticas representadas deixa entrever a constituição identitária do professor expressa pelo seu agir. Evidenciamos o distanciamento de uma prática pedagógica em relação à concepção da língua enquanto realização discursiva, o que se reflete na presença do texto em sala de aula direcionado para a efetivação de um trabalho focado em aspectos estruturais, descontextualizado.
Nietzsche e Fernando Pessoa: perspectivismo e heteronímia na (des)construção do sujeito
Authors: Fianco Francisco
Published: July 2019

O presente artigo tem como tema a intersecção do pensamento de Nietzsche e da obra literária de Fernando Pessoa como fonte de análise da desconstrução da subjetividade ocidental entendida como unidade no contexto cultural que marca a passagem do século XIX para o XX, período no qual as certezas sobre as quais se baseia a civilização ocidental no seu modelo mais recente, o da modernidade iluminista, racional e científica, vinha se estruturando. Para tanto, utilizaremos como subsídio principal as obras Fernando Pessoa e Nietzsche: o pensamento da pluralidade, de Nuno Ribeiro; Pessoa e Nietzsche: subsídios para uma leitura intertextual, de António Azevedo; e Olhares Europeus sobre Fernando Pessoa, organizado por Paulo Borges, além, obviamente, de obras diversas dos dois autores primários em questão, entre outras referencias menores. Além das possíveis intersecções entre os dois autores, o texto pretende questionar, ainda que sucintamente, o processo de formação subjetiva contemporânea a partir das transformações do pensamento ocidental à época dos autores.
Design para inovação social na difusão do estilo de vida vegano
Authors: Weiss Marco Antonio , Cavalcante Ana Luisa Boavista Lustosa
Published: July 2019

Este artigo busca demonstrar, sistemicamente, uma proposta que possa viabilizar o acesso aos produtos veganos e difundir esse estilo de vida. Como procedimentos metodológicos, utilizou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica e o levantamento de dados de campo com a técnica de questionário e, por fim, foi construído um mapa sistêmico. Como resultado, propõe-se o conceito de organizações colaborativas, de Manzini (2008) em empreendimentos de produção de alimentos veganos, promovendo sua notoriedade e a consciência alimentar do estilo de vida vegano.
Moda sustentável no contexto da hipermodernidade
Authors: Nishimura Maicon Douglas Livramento , Schulte Neide Köhler , Gontijo Leila Amaral
Published: July 2019

Ao considerar a plasticidade da moda às mudanças da sociedade e a reconfiguração do sistema que está à procura de práticas mais sustentáveis, objetivou-se desenvolver um projeto de coleção de moda embasado nos princípios da moda sustentável no contexto da hipermodernidade. Assim, foi observado que as reflexões do período dialogam com as emergências de pautas socioambientais, mas, sob a sistemática do Slow Fashion, diversas dificuldades são apontadas, principalmente em relação à matéria-prima.
K-Means Clustering in WSN with Koheneon SOM and Conscience Function
Authors: Bataineh Asia K. , Samkari Mohammad Habib , Abdualla Abdualla , Al-Azzam Saad
Published: July 2019

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are broadly utilized in the recent years to monitor dynamic environments which vary in a rapid way over time. The most used technique is the clustering one, such as Kohenon Self Organizing Map (KSOM) and K means. This paper introduces a hybrid clustering technique that represents the use of K means clustering algorithm with the KSOM with conscience function of Neural Networks and applies it on a certain WSN in order to measure and evaluate its performance in terms of both energy and lifetime criteria. The application of this algorithm in a WSN is performed using the MATLAB software program. Results demonstrate that the application of K-means clustering algorithm with KSOM algorithm enhanced the performance of the WSN which depends on using KSOM algorithm only in which it offers an enhancement of 11.11% and 3.33% in terms of network average lifetime and consumed energy, respectively. The comparison among the current work and a previous one demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach in this work in terms of reducing the energy consumption.
Addressing Occupational Ergonomics Issues in Indonesian Forestry
Authors: Yovi Efi Yuliati , Yamada Yozo
Published: July 2019

This study addresses occupational ergonomics issues in Indonesian forestry (work conditions, workers' characteristics, occupational safety, occupational health, and job satisfaction) to acquire a comprehensive perspective in understanding the actual problems facing the operations. Direct observation, interview, questionnaires, and secondary data analyses were carried out to acquire all of the required information. A total of 191 frontline forestry workers (chainsaw operators, helpers, manual hauling
workers, skidder/tractor operators, logging truck drivers, and nursery workers)
participated in this study. The study shows that various techniques of forest
operations (labor-intensive to semi-mechanized systems) have been applied in
Indonesian plantation forests, both short and long-rotation, as well as in
natural forest management. Most of the workers were non-permanent workers, who receive a low wage, work under a straight piecework system, have a high dependency on the forestry work to make a living, and exhibit poor comprehension of the concept of hazard control. The fatality rate was recorded as 1.3 deaths/106 m3 log, but this may be even higher as this rate only represents data taken from formal forestry workers. An intense physical dimension of fatigue occurs among workers involved in forest operations, with the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper back, lower back, neck, shoulders, and arms. This study reveals eight variables that influenced job satisfaction, i.e., wage, type of contract, accessibility, health services, living facilities, work equipment, training, and social facilities.
THE USE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE FIELD OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES TO BUILD SOCIAL SECURITY
OF THE PEOPLE THREATENED BY SOCIAL EXCLUSION. EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE
Authors: Czuba Michał
Published: July 2019

The main problem of this article is the possibility of using social entrepreneurship related to the provision of communal services to strengthen the sense of social security in people threatened by social exclusion. This problem is important because ensuring social security in a direct and indirect way is the task of the state. This task also ap-plies to people who are socially excluded or at risk of this phenomenon. Its implemen-tation may take place with the participation of social economy entities, supported by the state in a financial manner as well as through appropriate legislation in the scope of shaping the conditions for the development of the social economy.
The aim of this study is to get to know the scope of social economy enterprises in the municipal services and their impact on people employed in this type of institutions, including the possibility of increasing the sense of social security of this people and confirming or denying that the majority of people working in this type social economy entities are people who are socially excluded or threatened with this phenomenon.
Evolução da exploração agrícola no Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Miorin Vera Maria Favila
Published: July 2019

The geographical studies of rural space in recent years are above all directed towards agrarian organization. The present work approaches the question of the process of accupation of the territory of Rio Grande do Sul trying to capture the dynamics of space organization through an analysis of the evolution of agriculture in the State. The relationships that results from the natural environment and from the historical process are understood as determinant elements of the structural and conjunctural transformations that were estabilished in recent years, separating the Old Rio Grande from the New Rio Grande.
Crescimento de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. em diferentes solos na Flora de Passo Fundo, RS
Authors: Cassol Carmeli Antonia , Zago Ari
Published: July 2019

The growth of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze., in Passo Fundo, RS National Forest was studied, wich the objective to invesetigate differences in the productivity of planting implanted in different types of soil. Data were selected from 400 m2 area square plots selected by simple randomization method. Better growth and, therefore, greater wood productivity was found for Latosol Roxo, where Araucaria angustifolia obtained a mean annual increment equal to 16,67 m3/ha. This results differs greatly from the 6,26 m3/ha obtained for Lithosol Eutrophic Soil and from the scarce 3,51 m3/ha found for the Low-Humic Gley. The growth variation in these soils might be related to their characteristics.
Relações entre características químicas do solo e crescimento de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze., em Passo Fundo, RS
Authors: Cassol Carmeli Antonia , Zago Ari
Published: July 2019

The present work shows chemical soil characteristics and growth in plantings of Araucaria angustifolia, implanted in different soil types, in Passo Fundo, RS National Forest.Soils types were classified as Latosol Roxo, Lithosol Eutrophic Soil and Low-Humic Gley. Soil samples were taken randomly at 0 - 20cm deep in 400 m² area square plots. The chemical characteristics of the studied soils were related to growth variables by simple linear correlation.According to the findings, the chemical soil chemical characteristics were not considered adequate parameters to explain the growth variation observed for Araucaria angustifolia.
Interpretação da idade e cálculo da curva de crescimento do jundiá, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1924), do Banhado de Santa Catarina, RS
Authors: Weis Maria Lacy Cezimbra , Castello Jorge Pablo
Published: July 2019

This study deals with age interpretation and the calculation of growth parameters of the “jundiá”, Rhamdia quelen (QUOY & GAIMARD, 1824) from the Santa Catarina Swamps, State os Rio Grande do Sul.Ageing was determined through reading and counting of the hyaline zones of otoliths and in vertebrae. Ageing of both structures resulted very similar. Their validity was supported by the formation of one hyaline and one opaque zone per year. There is a close relationship between zone formation, air temperature and growth of the fish.Growth curves for each sex were calculated through otoliths and vertebrae. The growth equation of von BERTALANFFY (1938) was adjusted to the length-at-agr data, using a functinal rearession (RICKER, 1973) of the FORD-WALFORD expression., in order to obtain an estimator of the asymptotic lenght (L ∞); then expression of BEVERTON (1954), provided na estimator of the catabolism coefficient (k), which allowed to calculate length-at-age values with minimum residual variances.Sex-ratio, weight / length relationship, variation of the condition fator (k), lifespan (A0,95) and annual rate of survival (S) for each sex, was also analused.
Seven myths on crowding
Authors: Strasburger Hans
Published: July 2019

Crowding has become a hot topic in vision research and some fundamentals are now widely agreed upon. For the classical crowding task one would likely agree with the following statements. (1) Bouma’s law can be succinctly stated as saying that critical distance for crowding is about half the target’s eccentricity. (2) Crowding is predominantly a peripheral phenomenon. (3) Peripheral vision extends to at most 90° eccentricity. (4) Crowding increases strongly and linearly with eccentricity (as does the minimal angle of resolution, MAR). (5) Crowding is asymmetric as Bouma (1970) has shown. For that inner-outer asymmetry, the peripheral flanker has more effect. (6) Critical crowding distance corresponds to a constant cortical distance in primary visual areas like V1. (7) Except for Bouma’s (1970) paper, crowding research mostly started in the 2000s. I propose the answer is ‘not really’ to these assertions. So should we care? I think we should, before we write the textbooks for the next generation.
La juventud como early adopter del cambio tecnológico: un análisis de los jóvenes aragoneses (España)
Authors: Ramos Antón Rubén , Salas David Pac
Published: July 2019

El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar el papel que desarrolla la juventud en la actualidad como colectivo social que mantiene una especial relación con los avances tecnológicos. En concreto, se pretende conocer si los jóvenes aragoneses forman parte del colectivo conocido como early adopter, teniendo en cuenta las diferentes teorías sobre difusión de la tecnología. La investigación se desarrolla por medio de una metodología cualitativa, con la realización de ocho historias de vida. Los resultados de la investigación confirman el papel de early adopter de los jóvenes de la Comunidad Autónoma Aragonesa.
Human foveal cone photoreceptor topography and its dependence on eye length
Authors: Wang Yiyi , Bensaid Nicolas , Tiruveedhula Pavan , Ma Jianqiang , Ravikumar Sowmya , Roorda Austin
Published: July 2019

We provide the first measures of foveal cone density as a function of axial length in living eyes and discuss the physical and visual implications of our findings. We used a new generation Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope to image cones at and near the fovea in 28 eyes of 16 subjects. Cone density and other metrics were computed in units of visual angle and linear retinal units. The foveal cone mosaic in longer eyes is expanded at the fovea, but not in proportion to eye length. Despite retinal stretching (decrease in cones/mm2), myopes generally have a higher angular sampling density (increase in cones/deg2) in and around the fovea compared to emmetropes, offering the potential for better visual acuity. Reports of deficits in best-corrected foveal vision in myopes compared to emmetropes cannot be explained by increased spacing between photoreceptors caused by retinal stretching during myopic progression.
Ataxin-7 and Non-stop coordinate SCAR protein levels, subcellular localization, and actin cytoskeleton organization
Authors: Cloud Veronica , Thapa Ada , Morales-Sosa Pedro , Miller Tayla M , Miller Sara A , Holsapple Daniel , Gerhart Paige M , Momtahan Elaheh , Jack Jarrid L , Leiva Edgardo , Rapp Sarah R , Shelton Lauren G , Pierce Richard A , Martin-Brown Skylar , Florens Laurence , Washburn Michael P , Mohan Ryan D
Published: July 2019

Atxn7, a subunit of SAGA chromatin remodeling complex, is subject to polyglutamine expansion at the amino terminus, causing spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7), a progressive retinal and neurodegenerative disease. Within SAGA, the Atxn7 amino terminus anchors Non-stop, a deubiquitinase, to the complex. To understand the scope of Atxn7-dependent regulation of Non-stop, substrates of the deubiquitinase were sought. This revealed Non-stop, dissociated from Atxn7, interacts with Arp2/3 and WAVE regulatory complexes (WRC), which control actin cytoskeleton assembly. There, Non-stop countered polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of WRC subunit SCAR. Dependent on conserved WRC interacting receptor sequences (WIRS), Non-stop augmentation increased protein levels, and directed subcellular localization, of SCAR, decreasing cell area and number of protrusions. In vivo, heterozygous mutation of SCAR did not significantly rescue knockdown of Atxn7, but heterozygous mutation of Atxn7 rescued haploinsufficiency of SCAR.
Stretch Receptor and Somatic Dysfunction: A Narrative Review
Authors: Andrews Mark A.W.
Published: July 2019

From its founding by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, through the work of many contributors, one of the cornerstones of osteopathic medicine has been its ability to aid health by promoting neuromuscular homeostasis. As part of the understanding of osteopathic medicine since the time of Still, the proper functioning of stretch receptor organs (SROs) of skeletal muscle have been recognized as having a central role in this homeostasis. In doing so, the complexities of these numerous and vital sensors are described, including recent findings regarding their structure, function, and the nature of their neural connections. In their homeostatic role, SROs conduct information centrally for integration in proprioceptive and autonomic reflexes. By virtue of their integral role in muscle reflexes, they are putatively involved in somatic dysfunction and segmental facilitation. In reviewing some well-established knowledge regarding the SRO and introducing more recent scientific findings, an attempt is made to offer insights on how this knowledge may be applied to better understand somatic dysfunction.
Effects of K4CuNb8O23 and GeO2 addition on microstructure and piezoelectric properties in KNbO3 ceramics
Authors: Kato Hiroki , Ishida Mirai , Akiyama Yumi
Published: July 2019

A combined additives study of lead-free KNbO3 (KN) ceramics in the solid-state reaction was performed to improve the mechanical quality factor (Q
m) for high power piezoelectric applications. Improved Q
m values of 1137 and 1241 were confirmed in KN specimens with addition of 1.0 mol% K4CuNb8O23 (KCN) and 1.0 mol% KCN + 0.5 wt% GeO2, respectively. It is important for achievement of the higher Q
m in KN systems to control the composition of the Cu segregated phase. In this study, the Cu segregated phase which was necessary to improve the Q
m resulted from decomposition of the KCN compound during the sintering. Co-doping of KCN and GeO2 to KN specimens has a remarkable effect in suppressing the deliquescence accompanying KCN addition and improvement of the Q
m without significant deterioration of the electromechanical coupling factor k
31.
Asexual reproduction of a few genotypes favored the invasion of the cereal aphidRhopalosiphum padiin Chile
Authors: Rubio-Meléndez María E. , Barrios-SanMartin Joceline , Pina-Castro Felipe E. , Figueroa Christian C. , Ramirez Claudio C.
Published: July 2019

Background

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are insects with one of the highest potentials for invasion. Several aphid species are present globally due to introduction events; they represent important pests of agroecosystems. The bird cherry-oat aphidRhopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus) is a major pest of cereals and pasture grasses worldwide. Here, we report the genetic features of populations ofR. padithat colonize different cereal crops in central Chile.

Methods

Rhopalosiphum padiindividuals were collected in central Chile and genotyped at six microsatellite loci. The most frequent multilocus genotype (MLG) was then studied further to assess its reproductive performance across cereal hosts under laboratory conditions.

Results

Populations ofR. padiin Chile are characterized by a low clonal diversity (G/N= 62/377 = 0.16) and the overrepresentation of a few widely distributed MLGs. One of the MLGs constituted roughly half of the sample and was observed in all sampled populations at high frequencies. Furthermore, this putative aphid “superclone” exhibited variations in its reproductive performance on cereals most commonly cultivated in Chile. The sampled populations also exhibited weak signs of genetic differentiation among hosts and localities. Our findings suggest that (1) obligate parthenogenesis is the primary reproductive mode ofR. padiin Chile in the sampled range and (2) its introduction involved the arrival of a few genotypes that multiplied asexually.
Preservation of Strawberries Using Guava Leaves Extract
Authors: Gituma G. K. , Njue L. G.
Published: July 2019

Background: A lot of health hazards have been associated with artificial preservatives including: hyperactivity in children, breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis, weakening of heart tissues, obesity since some contain fatty acids especially in processed foods and gastrointestinal disorders. Sulfite is a common preservative in fruits and was found to have the following side effects: headaches, allergies, palpitations and cancer. Another down side of artificial preservative is that a lot of time is used in developing and acquiring it thus making it expensive. There is therefore need for a natural preservative.

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a natural preservative from guava leaves extract that would help increase the shelf-life of strawberries.

Methods: The study was conducted in the food microbiology laboratory, Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Crude extract was obtained by crushing dry guava leaves into 100 g powder and adding 600 ml of boiled water. The mixture was allowed to stand for 1 hr to allow extraction. The extract was then filtered and used to determine its inhibition against fungi. The extract was also serially diluted to obtain 5 different concentrations which were used to determine their effectiveness in increasing the shelf life of the strawberries. The results were recorded and discussed.

Results: The plates with the highest concentration of guava leaves extract had the lowest number of microbial colonies while the one with the lowest concentration on had the highest number of microbial colonies. The control samples had by far a higher number of microbial colonies than all the different concentrations of the extract.

Conclusion: The crude extracts of guava leaves showed inhibition against fungi and increased the shelf life of strawberries. Further studies need to be conducted in order to obtain a purified preservative from the extract.
The Proximate Composition of Fresh and Fermented Milk in Parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Aliyu Y. , Abdullahi I. O. , Whong C. M. Z. , `Anumiri C. E. , Bwala J. D. , Esimi J. S.
Published: July 2019

This study assessed the proximate composition of fresh and fermented milk in parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 180 samples comprising of fresh milk, bulk milk, nono, and kindirmo were collected over a period of six (6) months (May to October, 2017) from six (6) Local Government Areas (two Local Government Areas from the three Senatorial Zones in the State). Proximate parameters – dry matter (total solids), crude protein, crude fibre, oil, ash and nitrogen-free extract (soluble carbohydrates), were determined using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results of the proximate analysis showed that bulk milk samples generally had the most nutritional content than the other sample types in most of the sampled areas. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the mean values of dry matter (total solids), oil, and ash contents of bulk milk samples and nono in the sampled areas. The mean dry matter content of bulk milk samples collected from Nasarawa Local Government Area was 9.04±0.01, while that of nono samples collected from this area was 7.28±0.72. Fresh and bulk milk samples collected from Nasarawa, Keffi, Wamba, and Lafia Local Government Areas were found to contain more minerals (ash) compared to kindirmo samples collected and this may be attributed to the loss of some of the minerals during the processing of fresh milk to make kindirmo. The mean value of ash content of fresh milk and kindirmo samples from Nasarawa Local Government Area was 0.72±0.04 and 0.64±0.01, respectively, while the mean value of ash content of fresh milk of fresh milk and kindirmo samples from Keffi Local Government Area was 0.78±0.01 and 0.71±0.02 respectively. The samples were found to contain little or no fibre and this is not surprisingly as milk is not known to be a major source of fibre. Variations in the proximate composition of some fresh milk samples collected from the sampled areas may be attributed to genetic differences within a breed as all the cows from which the samples were collected, were of the same breed (White Fulani). All the samples analysed met the specifications for proximate composition stipulated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
To Identify the Problems Faced by the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Growers in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab
Authors: . Deepti , Bhalla J. S. , Mohapatra L.
Published: July 2019

The study entitled status and prospects of medicinal and aromatic plants in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab was under taken with the objectives to identify the problems faced by the medicinal and aromatic plants growers in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. Four blocks of Hoshiarpur district namely Bhunga, Dasuya, Hajipur and Talwara were selected, 20 farmers were selected from the each block thus the total sample comprised of 80 farmers  for the present study were selected. The data were collected by personal interview approach method, tabulated and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. The findings of the study revealed that 87.50 per cent farmers were growing wheat as their main crop, 17.50 per cent farmers facing problems related to Unfavourable government policies and 75 per cent farmers suggested that rates should be more.
Assessment of Weekly Water Surplus/Deficit in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Mandale V. P. , Bansod R. D.
Published: July 2019

Climate change and its impact on water resources are one of the most important issues affecting world agriculture at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The last four decades have witnessed extensive research concerning climatic variability and trends of climatic parameters in different regions and for the different time scale. Climatic water supply, as well as demand, was changed in different regions of the world affect the food and nutritional security of the region. Crop water requirement was also affected by the variation of meteorological parameters under the conditions of climate change. The present study was undertaken to evaluate tehsil-wise weekly water surplus/deficit availability during the rainy season (June to October) in the Ahmednagar district for a period of 2001 to 2016. Water surplus and the deficit were estimated by weekly rainfall and reference crop evapotranspiration. Results of the study revealed that weekly water availability   was very meagre during the rainy season in the Panrner nd Kopargaon tehsil. A number of   surplus weeks in this two tehsil were only four weeks which is less than 20 per cent weeks. It was observed that in the Akole tehsil highest 12 (50%) weeks were surplus followed by 9 weeks in Jamkhed tehsil. Remaining tehsils had existed water surplus only during 6 to 8 number of weeks in the district. In the Ahmednagar district rainfall is not sufficient to fulfil crop water requirement and needs supplemental irrigation facility to get maximum returns. Some of the weeks are showing water surplus in the many tehsils of the district, but its probability is less than 50 percent which is not assured.
Use of Aquatic Plants in Mine Wastewater Purification
Authors: Turdaliyeva Kh. S. , Huzhzhiev S. A. , Safarov K. S.
Published: July 2019

A comparative study of the role of some aquatic plants in the biological treatment of wastewater from the “Koch-Bulak” mine of the Angren mining department were carried out. The experiments were taken in laboratory conditions in aquariums. Hydrochemical and elemental analyses of wastewater from the Koch-Bulak mine of the Angren mining department were carried out  before and after the cultivation of Carolina azolla, Pistis teloreous and Eichhornia crassipes. Features of the growth and development of the studied plants in the mine wastewater are identified. The smallest increase in biomass in the laboratory showed Carolina azolla, the largest - Pistis teloreous. Elemental composition of the studied plants was carried out by the neutron activation analysis. Specific and organ-specific differences in the accumulation of chemical elements in the biomass of aquatic macrophytes are revealed as well. The study results revealed possibilities of use of the aquatic plants: Carolina azolla, Pistis teloreous and Eichhornia crassipes for the purpose of mine waters’ purification with high effectiveness.
Prevalence of Migraine and Trigger Factors among Adult Rural Sudanese Population 2018
Authors: Halay Sayed , Saror Shaima , Abdalla Asma Abdelaal , Balla Siham Ahmed , Elmukashfi Taha Ahmed , Awadalla Heitham , Abdelrahman Amani , Swareldahab Zeinab , Amara Zeinab , Malik Elfatih , Mirgani Kamil , Mohmed Haieder Abuahmed
Published: July 2019

Background: Migraine is one of the most common types of headache; it is a chronic neurological disease that affects 15% of the population, however, information about its prevalence in Sudan is scarce.

Aim: The aim of this study was to study prevalence of migraine and trigger factors among adult rural Sudanese population in 2018.

Setting and Design: This is a cross sectional two-stage door-to-door community-based study conducted in 16 administrative areas in rural Sudan.

Materials and Methods: A sample of 8610 adult Sudanese individuals, 18 years and above was selected. A structured pretested questionnaire was used included questions about two or more headaches in the last three months for screening. Participants with at least one positive response were asked to perform the 3-item validated Identification of Migraine (ID Migraine) test. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 for descriptive statistics and one way chi square test was used for testing the association of triggering factors with migraine at 95% confidence level of significant.

Results:  Four hundred and sixty eight had migraine with a prevalence rate of 5.4% among 8610 study population. The prevalence of migraine was 40% among those having at least two episodes of headache. Females were significantly affected by migraine more than males, P- value 0.044. Migraine significantly decreases with increase in age showed the highest frequency among the age group 18-29 years (38.0%). Family history of migraine accounted to 83.4% of population with migraine. Population with migraine who experienced aura was 64.5%. Already diagnosed population with migraine was 38.9%.The most important triggering factors among population with migraine were irregular/lack of sleep followed by stress/anxiety, noise and fatigue/physical activity, 91.0%, 88.0%, 85.7% and 84.6% respectively. The females experienced migraine with menstruation accounted to 46.7%. Perceived migraine effect was moderate to severe on work/ daily activities/ leisure of 78.2% of population with migraine.

Conclusion: Migraine prevalence was alarming in this study. A gap exists in the diagnosis of migraine that needs efforts to reduce the sufferings of affected population.
Addition of Non‐Stabilized Carbon‐Based Nucleophilic Reagents to Chiral
N
‐Sulfinyl Imines
Authors: Herbage Melissa A. , Savoie Jolaine , Sieber Joshua D. , Desrosiers Jean‐Nicolas , Zhang Yongda , Marsini Maurice A. , Fandrick Keith R. , Rivalti Daniel , Senanayake Chris H.
Published: July 2019

Natural products and pharmaceuticals that contain chiral branched amines are compounds of considerable interest. One strategy for preparing chiral branched amines involves the addition of a nucleophile to an imine bearing a readily cleavable chiral auxiliary. Sulfinamide‐based auxiliaries are well‐suited to this approach because (i) many sulfonamides are commercially available or can be prepared by efficient synthetic methods, (ii)
N
‐sulfinyl aldimines and ketimines can be prepared in a straightforward manner, (iii) the chiral amine products are obtained with high diastereomeric ratios across a wide range of carbon‐based nucleophiles, and (iv) the
N
‐sulfinyl group is cleaved under mild conditions.

This chapter focuses on the addition of non‐stabilized, carbon‐based nucleophiles to
N
‐sulfinyl aldimines and ketimines. Specifically, additions of alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, allylic, propargylic, alkynyl, and cyano nucleophiles are presented. Factors that can influence the stereoselectivity of the addition reaction are presented, along with the most prevalent reaction conditions employed for each class of nucleophile. Nucleophilic additions to
N
‐sulfinyl aldimines and ketimines are key steps in the syntheses of a number of drug discovery targets and natural products, examples of which are highlighted in this review.
Abnormal fatty acid metabolism is a core component of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Deguise Marc‐Olivier , Baranello Giovanni , Mastella Chiara , Beauvais Ariane , Michaud Jean , Leone Alessandro , De Amicis Ramona , Battezzati Alberto , Dunham Christopher , Selby Kathryn , Warman Chardon Jodi , McMillan Hugh J. , Huang Yu‐Ting , Courtney Natalie L. , Mole Alannah J. , Kubinski Sabrina , Claus Peter , Murray Lyndsay M. , Bowerman Melissa , Gillingwater Thomas H. , Bertoli Simona , Parson Simon H. , Kothary Rashmi
Published: July 2019

Objective

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder leading to paralysis and subsequent death in young children. Initially considered a motor neuron disease, extra‐neuronal involvement is increasingly recognized. The primary goal of this study was to investigate alterations in lipid metabolism in SMA patients and mouse models of the disease.

Methods

We analyzed clinical data collected from a large cohort of pediatric SMA type I–III patients as well as SMA type I liver necropsy data. In parallel, we performed histology, lipid analysis, and transcript profiling in mouse models of SMA.

Results

We identify an increased susceptibility to developing dyslipidemia in a cohort of 72 SMA patients and liver steatosis in pathological samples. Similarly, fatty acid metabolic abnormalities were present in all SMA mouse models studied. Specifically, Smn2B/‐ mice displayed elevated hepatic triglycerides and dyslipidemia, resembling non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Interestingly, this phenotype appeared prior to denervation.

Interpretation

This work highlights metabolic abnormalities as an important feature of SMA, suggesting implementation of nutritional and screening guidelines in patients, as such defects are likely to increase metabolic distress and cardiovascular risk. This study emphasizes the need for a systemic therapeutic approach to ensure maximal benefits for all SMA patients throughout their life.