bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Contact Angle, Infrared Absorbance, and Compressibility of Diol Compounds on Metal Surface
Authors: Hachiya Kazuaki , Tanaka Takao
Published: October 2012

An analytical method for observing the interaction between a metal oxide surface and diol compounds such as poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) has been newly developed using infrared absorption and contact-angle measurements. The infrared absorbances of both poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) at 3496 cm−1 were proportional to the oil film thicknesses, but the absorbance intercepts in the plots of absorbance versus film thicknesses were negative at zero film thickness. The negative intercepts indicate that the hydroxy groups of poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol) disappeared owing to the adsorption of the diol compound molecules on the metal oxide surface. The contact angles of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) at 40 °C decreased with an increase in the heat-treatment temperature of the metal plate, but the contact angle of hydrophobic poly(propylene glycol) was smaller than that of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) on the metal oxide surface. The difference in contact angle resulted from the fact that adjacent poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol) molecules inside the drop were connected by hydrogen bonding with the –OH groups on both ends of the molecules.
Time-dependent Dynamic Receding Contact Angles Studied during the Flow of Dilute Aqueous Surfactant Solutions through Fluorinated Microtubes
Authors: Anyfantakis Manos , Fell Daniela , Butt Hans-Jürgen , Auernhammer Günter K
Published: October 2012

We report on the time-dependent dewetting behavior of dilute surfactant solutions of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) during forced flow in fluorinated ethylene–propylene (FEP) microtubes. The dynamic receding contact angle of the solution at a given velocity decreased as the solid–liquid contact time increased. Kinetics with long relaxation time of several hundred seconds led to a final state displaying a 0° dynamic receding contact angle. This effect was absent in the case of 2-propanol, where the dynamic receding contact angle did not depend on the contact time.
Self-spreading of Supported Lipid Bilayer on SiO2 Surface Bearing Graphene Oxide
Authors: Furukawa Kazuaki , Hibino Hiroki
Published: October 2012

We investigate the self-spreading phenomenon of a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) on an SiO2 surface bearing graphene oxide (GO) that is thinner than the SLB and hydrophilic. Time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy observations suggest that the SLB is formed on the SiO2 surface, but not on the GO pieces. The selective formation of an SLB is proven by time-lapse atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations, which show topographically that the self-spreading is blocked by GO pieces. This provides the first AFM observations of an SLB under self-spreading conditions.
Surface Modification of Porous Silica with the Liquid Phase Deposition Process Using Solid Materials for Fluorine Scavenger
Authors: Hasegawa Takashi , Matsumoto Satoru , Mizuhata Minoru
Published: October 2012

TiO2-modified silica-based MCM-41 (Si-MCM-41) was prepared by liquid phase deposition (LPD) without a conventional fluorine scavenger such as H3BO3. TiO2 was deposited on Si-MCM-41 by LPD reactions for 1–48 h. Using Si-MCM-41, TiO2 was deposited on the inner surface of silica with etching phenomena. After the LPD reactions, Si species were detected in the reaction solution as a result of etching phenomena of silica. It was confirmed that Si-MCM-41 also acted as a fluorine scavenger by dissolving and forming hexafluorosilicate in aqueous hexafluorotitanate solution. The deposition behavior was greatly influenced by the volume of the reaction solution. The photocatalytic activity of the modified Si-MCM-41 was much higher than that of conventional catalysts such as TiO2:P25.
Evaluation of pH of Water between Solid Surfaces Using Surface Forces Apparatus Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Saito Yuko , Kasuya Motohiro , Kurihara Kazue
Published: October 2012

Fluorescence spectrum measurement of fluorescein was performed for monitoring the pH of water between mica and silica surfaces by varying the surface separation (D) using a surface forces apparatus (SFA) fluorescence spectroscopy. The pH value of water between silica surfaces decreased drastically with a decrease in D to values below 1200 nm, which was longer than that in the case of mica (600 nm). This pH decrease was attributed to concentrated proton in electric double layer of negatively charged surfaces.
A Novel Ammonia Gas Sensor Using a Nanoassembled Polyelectrolyte Thin Film on Fiber-optic Long-period Gratings
Authors: Wang Tao , Korposh Sergiy , Wong Rebecca , James Stephen , Tatam Raph , Lee Seung-Woo
Published: October 2012

A novel ammonia gas sensor using a polyelectrolyte thin film composed of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), PDDA/PAA, is demonstrated with a long-period grating (LPG) optical fiber. PAA could act as a selective receptor for ammonia binding, which induced significant changes in the optical thickness and density of the film owing to the pronounced electrostatic interaction between the alternate layers.
Thin–Thick Transition of Foam Film Driven by Phase Transition of Surfactant–Alkane Mixed Adsorbed Film
Authors: Ohtomi Eisuke , Ikeda Norihiro , Tokiwa Yuhei , Watanabe Iwao , Tanida Hajime , Takiue Takanori , Aratono Makoto , Matsubara Hiroki
Published: October 2012

This paper reports the influence of surface phase transitions of a surfactant–alkane mixed adsorbed film on the foam film thickness. The DLVO free-energy between the adsorbed films is estimated using total-reflection XAFS. The foam film thickness shows discontinuous changes at the surface phase transition. In addition, the foam film thicknesses on either side of the thickness transition were in the range for common black films (CBFs), which shows a striking difference from existing thin–thick transitions between CBF and Newton black films (NBFs).
Preparation of Pd Nanoparticles Covered with Organosilica Layers and Their Catalytic Properties for Cyclohexane Dehydrogenation
Authors: Nakagawa Keizo , Hoshinoo Tomoya , Sotowa Ken-Ichiro , Sugiyama Shigeru , Rkiouak Laylla , Dubois Vincent , Hermans Sophie
Published: October 2012

Carbon black (CB)-supported Pd catalysts (Pd/CB) were covered with organosilica layers via the hydrolysis of phenyltriethoxysilane (PhTES). Coverage of Pd nanoparticles with organosilica layers suppressed particle sintering of Pd, as compared to the case of uncovered Pd/CB. The organosilica layers had hydrophobic properties because of the presence of phenyl groups. As a result, the organosilica-coated Pd catalysts prepared using PhTES showed superior catalytic performance for cyclohexane dehydrogenation, even after reduction at 623 K under H2 atmosphere.
A review of the factors that influence high, medium and low secure care pathways
Authors: Hall Julie
Published: October 2012

The forensic care pathway that is the focus of this UK regional review has itself seen a considerable amount of change over the last decade, focusing on implementing wide reaching reform within both prison and health care. Reforms have seen a reduction in the number of people in some parts of the care pathway and new interventions and growth in other areas. At the end of 2009, the region that was subject to this review there had seen over 450 people cared for in high, medium or low secure services in that year and had a prison population approaching 10,000. The aim of the review was to understand the impact of these changes with a view to sustaining effective pathways and systems, and to increase impact and ensure value for money in order to improve the efficiency and quality of services. A primary objective was to consider the influence of statutory mental health provision upon the use of high, medium and low secure psychiatric services. It was proposed that from a regional perspective more needed to be understood about the influence of wider services upon the care pathways for people using secure services. This paper considers what is available from primary care locality and its features, alongside the rates of secure service use. It also acknowledges the wider influences upon the use of those services.
Experiences of teacher training in economic evaluation for health professionals in Cuba
Authors: Herrera Manuel Collazo , Garcia Ariana Fernandez , García Julia Rosa Martínez
Published: October 2012

The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review to assess the importance of teacher training on the economic assessment for professionals working in the Cuban National Health Service (NHS). The assessment will be used as a working tool to guide the process of decision-making in the health sector and to increase the efficiency of different actions to be undertaken in the country. We conducted a literature review to search comprehensive information about this topic at the national and international levels with the intention of incorporating this discipline as a component of crucial importance for the pursuit of efficiency in the Cuban health-care system. Teacher training in economic evaluation applied to the field of health is considered an aspect that improves the rational use of different health technologies, which implies an efficient use of resources for the NHS in Cuba. Although the costs of these therapies are becoming more substantial, their assessment in terms of efficiency allows us to identify effective and less costly interventions for the health sector in Cuba by defining the best strategies to support the process of decision-making. We can confirm that the teacher training in economic evaluation of health professionals for the NHS has been a pressing need. The goal is to develop an economic culture that enables the personnel to show an increased efficiency in performing their normal duties and tasks when developing health interventions that are organized and developed in the country.
A quality improvement initiative to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia at a large regional hospital
Authors: Cleeren Inge , Vleugels Arthur , Weekers Frank , Zandijk Eric , Magerman Koen , Vanhaecht Kris
Published: October 2012

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the leading cause of death among hospital-acquired infections and prolongs time spent on the ventilator, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and length of hospital stay after discharge from the ICU. The ventilator bundle of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement includes five evidence-based guidelines which are proven to be effective in the prevention of VAP. The main purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of VAP at two intensive care units at the Jessa Hospital. In addition, compliance rates with the different elements of the VAP bundle are determined. From 1 January 2011 to 31 March 2011 an explorative study was conducted on a 18-bed surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and a six-bed medical intensive care unit (MICU). VAP was diagnosed using Johanson et al. criteria. Bedside observations and analysis of the electronic patient record were performed in order to determine compliance relative to the VAP bundle. At the SICU 10 VAPs were diagnosed resulting in an incidence of 38.46% and a VAP rate of 22.56. Three VAPs were diagnosed at the MICU. The incidence of VAP at the MICU was 18.75% resulting in a VAP rate of 18.75%. Compliance to all elements of the VAP bundle was observed in 0.52% (SICU) and 19.64% (MICU) of the observations. Compliance at the level of individual elements of the bundle varies between 1.03% and 99.48% (SICU) and 32.14% and 100% (MICU).
The perils of dental vacation: possible anaesthetic and medicolegal consequences
Authors: Feltracco Paolo , Maria Gaudio Rosa , Barbieri Stefania , Tiano Letizia , Iacobone Maurizio , Viel Giovanni , Tonetti Tommaso , Galligioni Helmut , Bortolato Andrea , Ori Carlo , Maria Avato Francesco
Published: October 2012

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to emphasize anaesthesiologists’ difficulty in detecting poor dentition in cases of poorly applied prostheses and/or advanced periodontal disease, and to establish whether it is possible, and in which conditions, to calculate compensation in cases of dental damage postlaryngoscopy and/or intubation. The main complex problem here lies in trying to reconstruct exactly what the dental situation was before the teeth were damaged. For this reason the important preoperative factors (dental prostheses, crown fractures, parodontal disease, etc.) must be clearly shown before surgery on a dental chart.

Clinical cases

Two cases of interest, both to anaesthesiologists practising intubation and medicolegal physicians who have to deal with potential claims, are briefly reported. The first patient was a 55-year-old diabetic patient, who underwent emergency surgery for acute abdominal pathology. He had gone outside Italy for dental treatment three years previously and now presented with very poor pre-existing dentition, carefully noted on an anaesthetic chart. He now demanded compensation for dental damage due to intubation in Italy; the resulting dental treatment was very expensive because substantial remedial work was required. The second patient had received treatment outside Italy, work which involved cosmetic coating of the teeth. After surgery in Italy, she demanded compensation because one tooth, which had been coated and appeared to be healthy, was broken after emergency intubation. In both cases, the patients demanded very high compensation.

Comment

Dental tourism alone accounts for more than 250,000 patients each year who combine a holiday with dental treatment in Eastern Europe. However, if prosthetic devices or conservative treatments are not applied correctly, it should be noted that durability may be poorer than expected, but iatrogenic damage may also be caused.
Firm Innovation and the Ratchet Effect Among Consumer Packaged Goods Firms
Authors: Moorman Christine , Wies Simone , Mizik Natalie , Spencer Fredrika J.
Published: October 2012

We consider how public firms influence their stock market valuations by timing the introduction of innovative new products. Our focus is on innovation ratchet strategy—firms timing the introduction of innovations in order to demonstrate an improvement in the number of introductions over time. We document that public firms use an innovation ratchet strategy more often than do private firms and that the stock market rewards public firms for doing so. These rewards from the stock market, however, come at the expense of performance in product markets. Specifically, because firms using an innovation ratchet strategy delay some product introductions, they have significantly lower sales growth in the year they ratchet. Finally, we identify firm and market characteristics that influence the likelihood that a public firm will engage in an innovation ratchet strategy.
Offering Pharmaceutical Samples: The Role of Physician Learning and Patient Payment Ability
Authors: Bala Ram , Bhardwaj Pradeep , Chen Yuxin
Published: October 2012

Physicians may learn about prescription drug effectiveness directly from the firm via detailing or from patient experience. Patient-mediated learning is aided by the use of free drug samples. The effective use of samples is hampered by a lack of understanding of its exact return on investment implications. We seek to fill this gap by incorporating the physician's sample allocation behavior in the firm's decision making. We uncover the following implications for firms as well as policy makers. First, we find that the optimal sampling level for a drug category is a nonmonotonic function of patient payment ability and the price of the drug. Second, an increase in the cost of samples can lead to an increase in sampling and a decrease in detailing when the physician's propensity to provide sample subsidies is high. Third, when future market growth is expected to be high (early stage product life cycle and/or chronic drugs) and sampling efficiency is low, the use of sampling is profitable for the firm but leads to lower market coverage than when sampling is disallowed.
Distribution and Clinical Correlates of the Interleukin Receptor Family Member Soluble ST2 in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Coglianese Erin E , Larson Martin G , Vasan Ramachandran S , Ho Jennifer E , Ghorbani Anahita , McCabe Elizabeth L , Cheng Susan , Fradley Michael G , Kretschman Dana , Gao Wei , O'Connor George , Wang Thomas J , Januzzi James L
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND

Soluble ST2 (sST2) is a cardiac biomarker whose concentration rises in response to myocardial strain. Increased sST2 concentrations may predict adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure and myocardial infarction. Because sST2 was largely undetectable with first-generation assays in ambulatory individuals, there are few data regarding its distribution and correlates in community-based populations.

METHODS

We measured sST2 using a highly sensitive ELISA in 3450 Framingham Heart Study participants who attended a routine examination. We used multivariable linear regression models to identify covariates associated with sST2 in the general sample. We obtained a reference sample (n = 1136) by excluding individuals with prevalent coronary disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, valvular disease, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and pulmonary and renal dysfunction. We used empiric and quantile regression techniques to estimate the 2.5th, 50th, 97.5th, and 99th quantiles.

RESULTS

In the general sample (mean age 59 years, 55% women), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.006), antihypertensive medication use (P = 0.03), and diabetes (P < 0.001) were associated with sST2 concentrations. In the reference sample (mean age 55, 59% women), male sex (P < 0.0001) and older age (P = 0.004) were predictive of higher sST2 concentrations. Quantile and empirical methods were used to define the reference intervals. Using the empirical approach, upper 99% percentile values in different age groups ranged from 46.6 to 64.4 μg/L in men and 36.7 to 53.0 μg/L in women.

CONCLUSIONS

In a well-characterized, community-based cohort, values for sST2 differ between men and women, increase with age, and are associated with diabetes and hypertension.
Cancer Genome Scanning in Plasma: Detection of Tumor-Associated Copy Number Aberrations, Single-Nucleotide Variants, and Tumoral Heterogeneity by Massively Parallel Sequencing
Authors: Chan KC Allen , Jiang Peiyong , Zheng Yama WL , Liao Gary JW , Sun Hao , Wong John , Siu Shing Shun N , Chan Wing C , Chan Stephen L , Chan Anthony TC , Lai Paul BS , Chiu Rossa WK , Lo YMD
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND

Tumor-derived DNA can be found in the plasma of cancer patients. In this study, we explored the use of shotgun massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of plasma DNA from cancer patients to scan a cancer genome noninvasively.

METHODS

Four hepatocellular carcinoma patients and a patient with synchronous breast and ovarian cancers were recruited. DNA was extracted from the tumor tissues, and the preoperative and postoperative plasma samples of these patients were analyzed with shotgun MPS.

RESULTS

We achieved the genomewide profiling of copy number aberrations and point mutations in the plasma of the cancer patients. By detecting and quantifying the genomewide aggregated allelic loss and point mutations, we determined the fractional concentrations of tumor-derived DNA in plasma and correlated these values with tumor size and surgical treatment. We also demonstrated the potential utility of this approach for the analysis of complex oncologic scenarios by studying the patient with 2 synchronous cancers. Through the use of multiregional sequencing of tumoral tissues and shotgun sequencing of plasma DNA, we have shown that plasma DNA sequencing is a valuable approach for studying tumoral heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Shotgun DNA sequencing of plasma is a potentially powerful tool for cancer detection, monitoring, and research.
'History is Screaming at Us': Humanitarian interventionism and the popular geopolitics of the Bosnian war in Leigh Jackson and Peter Kosminsky's Warriors
Authors: Harper Stephen
Published: October 2012

The representation of the 1992–1995 Bosnian war in both news media and popular cultural forms has received remarkably little scholarly attention. Drawing upon the recent work of radical historians and critics, this article begins with a reassessment of the dominant western news
media narrative of the Bosnian conflict. It then proceeds to consider some popular representations of the conflict, focusing on Leigh Jackson and Peter Kosminsky's unduly neglected BBC two-part television drama Warriors. By comparison with United States and United Kingdom news media coverage
of the conflict and other popular screen representations of the Bosnian war, Warriors offers one of the most sensitive and sophisticated accounts of the conflict. Nevertheless, the drama reproduces many of the fundamental western news media biases and implicitly endorses the discourse of humanitarian
interventionism that has been used, particularly since the 1990s, to justify western military imperialism. That Kosminsky, who is known for making dramas that question dominant political paradigms, should have adopted an interventionist line in Warriors may suggest something of the potency
and reach of western news media propaganda throughout the 1990s on behalf of what Noam Chomsky has called 'humanitarian imperialism'.
REVIEWS
Authors: Cargnelli Christian , Goss Brian Michael
Published: October 2012

Hedy Lamarr. The Most Beautiful Woman in Film, Ruth Barton (2010) Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 281 pp., ISBN 978-0-8131-2604-3, h/bk, $ 29.95

Destination Dictatorship, Justin cumbaugh (2009) Albany: State University of New York Press, 173 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4384-2665-5
(hbk) ($US70.00), 978-1-4384-2666-2 (pbk), $US23.95
Considering the script as blueprint
Authors: Staiger Janet
Published: October 2012

The use of the script as a detailed blueprint for the production of a mainstream narrative film was established by the early 1910s for the purposes of saving costs and controlling quality, and this is no less the case today. This article discusses the expansion of ‘the blueprint’
as writers have encountered specific demands on their production planning and have embraced a wealth of ways to think about the narrative and emotional trajectories of movies. These newer demands include budgeting considerations such as product placement, fan satisfaction and the author-function;
contemporary theories about storytelling; cultivation of franchises through sequels and serial storytelling; and multiple platforms for the narrative universe.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Alves Fatima , Henriques Susana
Published: October 2012

SABER PRĀTICO DE SAŪDE: AS LÓGICAS DO SAUDĀVEL NO QUOTIDIANO, LUISA FERREIRA DA SILVA, 2008 Oporto: Afrontamento, 204pp ISBN: 978-972-36-0911-0, p/bk, €12.12

PERSPECTIVAS DE ANĀLISE ORGANIZACIONAL DAS ESCOLAS, LIMA, L. C. (ED.) (2011), VILA NOVA
DE GAIA Fundação Manuel Leão, 224 pp., ISBN: 9789898151216, p/bk, €14.45
Regulation of steroidogenesis in a primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease-associated adenoma leading to virilization and subclinical Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Hofland Johannes , de Herder Wouter W , Derks Lieke , Hofland Leo J , van Koetsveld Peter M , de Krijger Ronald R , van Nederveen Francien H , Horvath Anelia , Stratakis Constantine A , de Jong Frank H , Feelders Richard A
Published: October 2012

Context

Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) can lead to steroid hormone overproduction. Mutations in the cAMP protein kinase A regulatory subunit type 1A (PRKAR1A) are causative of PPNAD. Steroidogenesis in PPNAD can be modified through a local glucocorticoid feed-forward loop.

Objective

Investigation of regulation of steroidogenesis in a case of PPNAD with virilization.

Materials and methods

A 33-year-old woman presented with primary infertility due to hyperandrogenism. Elevated levels of testosterone and subclinical ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome led to the discovery of an adrenal tumor, which was diagnosed as PPNAD.In vivoevaluation of aberrantly expressed hormone receptors showed no steroid response to known stimuli. Genetic analysis revealed a PRKAR1A protein-truncating Q28X mutation. After adrenalectomy, steroid levels normalized. Tumor cells were cultured and steroidogenic responses to ACTH and dexamethasone were measured and compared with those in normal adrenal and adrenocortical carcinoma cells. Expression levels of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) types 3 and 5 and steroid receptors were quantified in PPNAD, normal adrenal, and adrenal adenoma tissues.

Results

Isolated PPNAD cells, analogous to normal adrenal cells, showed both increased steroidogenic enzyme expression and steroid secretion in response to ACTH. Dexamethasone did not affect steroid production in the investigated types of adrenal cells. 17β-HSD type 5 was expressed at a higher level in the PPNAD-associated adenoma compared with control adrenal tissue.

Conclusion

PPNAD-associated adenomas can cause virilization and infertility by adrenal androgen overproduction. This may be due to steroidogenic control mechanisms that differ from those described for PPNAD without large adenomas.
MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Insulin and type 1 diabetes: immune connections
Authors: Culina Sloboda , Brezar Vedran , Mallone Roberto
Published: October 2012

Insulin is the hormone produced by pancreatic β-cells, with a central role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Together with its precursors preproinsulin and proinsulin, insulin is also a key target antigen (Ag) of the autoimmune islet destruction leading to type 1 diabetes. Being recognized by both autoantibodies (aAbs) and autoreactive T cells, insulin plays a triggering role, at least in rodent models, in diabetes pathogenesis. It is expressed not only by β-cells but also in the thymus, where it plays a major role in central tolerance mechanisms. We will summarize current knowledge concerning insulin, its role in β-cell autoimmunity as initial target Ag, its recognition by aAbs and autoreactive T cells, and the detection of these immune responses to provide biomarkers for clinical trials employing insulin as an immune modulatory agent.
TLR4 antagonist reduces early-stage atherosclerosis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Authors: Lu Zhongyang , Zhang Xiaoming , Li Yanchun , Jin Junfei , Huang Yan
Published: October 2012

Although it has been reported that deficiency of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is associated with reduced atherosclerosis in atherosclerosis-prone mice and attenuated pro-inflammatory state in diabetic mice, it remains undetermined whether treatment with a TLR4 antagonist reduces atherosclerosis in nondiabetic or diabetic mice that have TLR4 expression. In this study, we determined the effect ofRhodobacter sphaeroideslipopolysaccharide (Rs-LPS), an established TLR4 antagonist, on early-stage atherosclerosis in nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice. Analysis of atherosclerotic lesions of both en face aortas and cross sections of aortic roots showed that administration of Rs-LPS in 14-week-old diabeticApoe−/−mice for 10 weeks significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions. Although atherosclerotic lesions in nondiabeticApoe−/−mice appeared to be decreased by Rs-LPS treatment, the difference was not statistically significant. Metabolic study showed that Rs-LPS significantly lowered serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in nondiabetic mice but not in diabetic mice. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry studies showed that Rs-LPS inhibited the expression of interleukin 6 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and reduced the content of monocytes and macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques. Taken together, this study demonstrated for the first time that TLR4 antagonist inhibited vascular inflammation and atherogenesis in diabeticApoe−/−mice and lowered serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in nondiabeticApoe−/−mice.
Metabolic effects of activation of CCK receptor signaling pathways by twice-daily administration of the enzyme-resistant CCK-8 analog, (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8, in normal mice
Authors: Irwin Nigel , Frizelle Pamela , O'Harte Finbarr P M , Flatt Peter R
Published: October 2012

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone that has important physiological effects on energy balance. This study has used a stable CCK1receptor agonist, (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8, to evaluate the metabolic effects of prolonged administration in normal mice. Twice-daily injection of (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8 for 28 days resulted in significantly lowered body weights (P<0.05) on days 24 and 28, which was associated with decreased accumulated calorie intake (P<0.01) from day 12 onward. Nonfasting plasma glucose was significantly reduced (P<0.05) on day 28, while plasma insulin concentrations were increased (P<0.05). After 28 days, glucose tolerance and glucose-mediated insulin secretion were not significantly different in (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8-treated mice. However, following a 15-min refeeding period in 18-h fasted mice, glucose levels were significantly (P<0.05) decreased by (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8 despite similar food intake and nutrient-induced insulin levels. Insulin sensitivity in (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8-treated mice was significantly (P<0.01) improved compared with controls. Accumulation of triacylglycerol in liver was reduced (P<0.01) but there were no differences in circulating cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations, as well as triacylglycerol content of pancreatic, muscle, and adipose tissue in (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8 mice. These data highlight the beneficial metabolic effects of prolonged (pGlu-Gln)-CCK-8 administration and confirm a lack of detrimental effects.
Nanocomposite Bi(Sb)Te(Se) Materials by Cryogenic Mechanical Alloying and Optimized High Pressure Hot-pressing
Authors: Chan Tsung-ta E. , Venkatasubramanian Rama , LeBeau James M. , Thomas Peter , Stuart Judy , Koch Carl C.
Published: October 2012

Nanocomposite Bi2Te3 based alloys are attractive for their potentially high thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) around room temperature. The nano-scale structural features embedded in the matrix provide more scattering of phonons and can thus reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. To further take advantage of such nanocomposite structures, we focus on the development of nanocrystalline Bi(Sb)Te(Se) powders by high energy cryogenic mechanical alloying followed by an optimized hot pressing process. This approach is shown to successfully produce Bi(Sb)Te(Se) alloy powders with grain size averaging about 9 nm for n-type BiTe(Se) and about 16 nm for p-type Bi(Sb)Te respectively. This cryogenic process offers much less milling time and prevents thermally activated contamination or imperfections from being introduced during the milling process. The nanocrystalline powders are then compacted at optimized pressures and temperatures to achieve full density compactions and preserve the grain sizes effectively. The resulting nano-bulk materials have optimal Seebeck coefficients and are expected to have improved ZT. Thermoelectric properties and microstructure studies by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy will also be presented and discussed.
Simultaneous Measurements of Thermal Conductivity and Seebeck Coefficients of Roughened Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Sadhu J. S. , Hongxiang T. , Ma J. , Kim J. , Sinha S.
Published: October 2012

We report simultaneous measurements of thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient on array-scale silicon nanowires fabricated by metal assisted chemical etching. The measurements are conducted on the solid and the mesoporous nanowire arrays (NWAs) obtained from etching 1 ohm-cm and 0.002 ohm-cm Si substrates respectively. We demonstrate control on sidewall morphology and doping of the arrays that have an aspect ratio up to 20 and 30 % areal coverage. We employ differential frequency-domain measurements, separately on the array and the corresponding substrate to obtain the temperature drop and Seebeck voltage contribution of the nanowire array. The technique is validated by measurements on bulk silicon across the resistivity 0.002-1 ohm-cm. The Seebeck measurements reveal quenching of the phonon drag in the nanowires in comparison to the bulk in the measured temperature range of 300 K- 500 K. The Seebeck coefficient shows a ~18 % decrease in the solid NWAs and ~22 % increase in the mesoporous NWAs at room temperature. The thermal conductivity is close to Casimir limit for the solid wires while it drops to ~2.5 W/mK in the mesoporous nanowires.
Facile Assembly of ZnO Nanoparticles Based on M13 Bacteriophage
Authors: Moon Chung Hee , Haberer Elaine D.
Published: October 2012

A genetically modified M13 bacteriophage template was used to biomineralize ZnO. A peptide, EAHVMHKVAPRP [1], with a known affinity for ZnO was genetically displayed on each of five copies of the pIII protein located at one tip of the M13 virus. Site-directed assembly using this pIII peptide fusion was studied using a variety of precursor concentrations, incubation times, and phage concentrations. For comparision, free ZnO-binding peptides were also used to biomineralize ZnO. Isolated, polydisperse, spherical ZnO nanoparticles were formed at all mineralization conditions containing the ZnO-binding M13 bacteriophage, whereas free peptide mineralization resulted in smaller, more irregularly shaped particles which agglomerated at longer incubation times. These studies are preliminary experiments in the investigation of ZnO biomineralization on the various structural proteins of the M13 bacteriophage and cooperative effects which occur between neighboring peptides.
A crise epistemológica na educação física: implicações no trabalho docente
Authors: Vargas Cláudio Pellini , Moreira Antonio Flavio Barbosa
Published: October 2012

Neste texto focalizamos a crise da Educação Física, situando-a na crise pela qual passa a modernidade. Destacamos, inicialmente, o embate entre razão e corpo (racionalidade e sensibilidade), argumentando que tal dicotomia é causa central da crise. A seguir, procuramos distinguir os aspectos identitários do oblato e do trânsfuga, com base em considerações de Ricardo Vieira, aplicando essa distinção à dicotomia mente/corpo. Em um terceiro momento, ressaltamos a importância do trabalho docente para o aprofundamento do processo de formação do professor de Educação Física. Por fim, apresentamos e analisamos, com base em nossas experiências acadêmicas e profissionais, exemplos de reais situações do trabalho docente, relacionando-as à falta de identidade epistemológica que afeta a profissão docente, assim como às perspectivas do oblato e do trânsfuga. Destacamos, ainda, desafios a serem superados pelos professores da disciplina escolar no contínuo processo de autoformação, insistindo no ponto de vista de que a maior compreensão do trabalho docente pode favorecer tal processo.
Efeitos de doses e épocas de aplicação do bentazon na produção de duas cultivares de cebola (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Mascarenhas M.H.T. , Lara J.F.R.
Published: October 2012

Em um solo aluvião eutrófico de classificação textural argilo siltoso, com 2,75% de M.O. foram estudados os efeitos de doses do herbicida bentazon (3 - isopropi l - 2,1,3 - benzotio-diazinona - (4) - 2,2 - dióxido) aplicado em pós-emergência. no controle de plantas daninhas dicotiledôneas na cultura da cebola. O delineamento experimental adotado foi um fatorial 2 x 5 x 2 + 4. constituído por duas cultivares: 'Baia Pe ri forme' e 'Texas Grano': cinco épocas de aplicação do produto: aos 10, 20, 30, 40 e 50 dias após a emergência das plantas daninhas: duas doses de bentazon: 0,46kg. i.a./ha e 0,96 kg. i.a./ha e quatro tratamentos adicionais: 'Baia Periforme' capinada e sem capina e 'Texas Grano'. capinada e sem capina. . As plantas daninhas predominantes no experimento foram: botão -de-ouro (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.), picão-preto (Bidens pilosa L.), amendoim-bravo (Euphorbia prunifoiia Jacq.(, mostarda (Brassica campestris L.), joá (Physalis angulata L.) fedegoso (Cassia tora L.(, serralha falsa (Emilia sonchifolia (L .) DC) e mentruz (Lepidium virginicum L. Nas condições em que foi realizado o ensaio, o herbicida bentazon nas duas doses aplicadas mostrou-se eficiente no controle das plantas daninhas até 60 dias após o transplante. Nas doses empregadas o bentazon não apresentou efeito fitotóxico sobre a produção das cultivares 'Baia Periforme' e 'Texas Grano'.
Aplicação em pré-colheita, de dessecante em duas cultivares de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merril) I - Efeitos imediatos sobre a germinação e produção de sementes
Authors: Durigan J.C. , Carvalho N.M.
Published: October 2012

Plantas de soja das cultivares Santa Rosa e IAC-2 foram tratadas, em diferentes épocas após o início do florescimento, com o desse cante paraquat na dose de 2 l/ha do produto comercial. Objetivou-se avaliar os possíveis efeitos sobre a infecção de sementes por microorganismos prejudiciais a sua qualidade. As aplicações do produto foram feitas semanalmente a partir dos 72 e 75 dias após o início do fl orescimento, para as cultivares IAC -2 e Santa Rosa. respectivamente (teores de umidade das sementes de 56,8 e 57,5%). Para todas as épocas tratadas, existiam as suas respectivas comparações que não receberam o produto. As testemunhas foram colhidas seguindo-se os critérios usuais dos agricultores que trabalham com soja, aos 100 e 103 dias após o inicio do florescimento, respectivamente para as cultivares IAC-2 e Santa Rosa. A incidência de fungos prejudiciais à qualidade das sementes foi sempre menor para as parcelas que receberam dessecamento e aumentou com o retardamento da colheita, principalmente nas parcelas não tratadas.
Aplicação em pré-colheita, de dessecante em duas cultivares de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merril) II - Efeitos sobre a incidência de fungos nas sementes
Authors: Durigan J.C. , Carvalho N.M.
Published: October 2012

Plantas de soja das cultivares Santa Rosa e IAC-2 foram tratadas, em diferentes épocas após o início do florescimento, com o desse cante paraquat na dose de 2 l/ha do produto comercial. Objetivou-se avaliar os possíveis efeitos sobre a infecção de sementes por microorganismos prejudiciais a sua qualidade. As aplicações do produto foram feitas semanalmente a partir dos 72 e 75 dias após o início do fl orescimento, para as cultivares IAC -2 e Santa Rosa. respectivamente (teores de umidade das sementes de 56,8 e 57,5%). Para todas as épocas tratadas, existiam as suas respectivas comparações que não receberam o produto. As testemunhas foram colhidas seguindo-se os critérios usuais dos agricultores que trabalham com soja, aos 100 e 103 dias após o inicio do florescimento, respectivamente para as cultivares IAC-2 e Santa Rosa. A incidência de fungos prejudiciais à qualidade das sementes foi sempre menor para as parcelas que receberam dessecamento e au mentou com o retardamento da colheita, principalmente nas parcelas não tratadas.
Aplicação, em pré-colheita, de dessecante em duas cultivares de soja (Glycine max (L. ) Merril) III - Efeitos sobre a composição química (proteína, óleo e cinzas) e resíduos nas sementes
Authors: Durigan JC. , Durigan J.F. , Carvalho N.M.
Published: October 2012

A aplicação pré-colheita do dessecante paraquat, quando real izada a partir das primeiras épocas (75 e 72 dias após o início do florescimento, para a Santa Rosa e IAC-2, respectivamente) não modificaram os teores com que ocorreram normalmente, proteína, extrato etéreo e cinzas nos grãos. As análises do resíduo de paraquat nos grãos colhidos, mostram claramente que não se deve recomendar tal prática às lavouras de soja, cujo objetivo final seja o fornecimento de grãos para a alimentação humana e animal. Entretanto pode ser indicada, sem maiores restrições, àquelas cuja finalidade é a produção de sementes comerciais.
Controle de plantas daninhas com herbicidas na cultura do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Cruz L.S.P. , Grassi N.
Published: October 2012

Foi realizada uma pesquisa em 1970, para se conhecer os efeitos de três herbicidas aplicados em pré-plantio incorporado (EPTC a 3,60 kg/ha, nitralin e trifluralin a 0,76 kg/ha) e de um em pré-emergência (fluorodifen a 3,00 kg/ha) na cultura de feijão comparados com uma testemunha sem herbicida. As duas gramíneas presentes no ensaio, Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. e Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. foram eficientemente controladas por todos os herbicidas, com indices de controle superiores a 87,00%, em contagem de plantas daninhas realizada 29 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas. Dentre as dicotiledóneas presentes, Amaranthus viridis L. também foi eficientemente controlado por todos os herbicidas, com indices de controle superiores a 92,00%. Ageratum conyzoides L. foi eficientemente controlado por fluorodifen (91,60%) e regularmente por EPTC (78,99%) e por nitralin (79,83%). Trifluralin não foi eficiente contra A. conyzoides L. Nenhum dos herbicidas testados controlou Ipomoea sp e Chenopodium ambrosioides L., também presentes no experimento. EPTC e nitralin apresentaram as menores porcentagens de infestação geral de plantas daninhas, tendo, aos 51 dias da aplicação dos produtos, quando suas parcelas foram capinadas mecanicamente, 8,00 e 17,00% de infestação, respectivamente. Trifluralin e fluorodifen precisaram de limpeza aos 42 dias da aplicação, e a testemunha já aos 29 dias, pois apresentavam parcelas com 25,00%, ou mais, de infestação, naquelas épocas. Os herbicidas experimentados não foram prejudiciais à germinação e ao desenvolvimento vegetativo dos feijoeiros, assim como à sua produção de grãos.
Lixiviação e inativação do metribuzin em dois tipos de solos
Authors: Silva J. Ferreira da , Silva J. Francisco da , Silva R.F. da , Condé A.R.
Published: October 2012

Com o objetivo de avaliar a lixiviação e a inativação do herbicida metribuzin (4-amino-6-tertbutil-3-(metiltio)-as-triazina-5-(4H)ona) em materiais de um solo franco-argiloso e de outro solo franco-argilo-arenoso de duas regiões de Minas Gerais, um em laboratório e outro em casa de vegetação. O solo franco-argiloso era um Latossolo Roxo, com 2,8% de matéria orgãnica e o solo franco-argilo-arenoso era um Podzólico Vermelho-Amarelo; fase terraço, em 2,17% de matéria orgânica. Em laboratório estudou-se a lixiviação do metribuzin em colunas de 5, 10 e 15 cm de altura, com 7,5 cm de diâmetro, enchidas com materiais dos solos franco-argiloso e do solo franco-argiloarenoso. Usou-se o ensaio biológico de discos de cotilédones de melancia para detectar o metribuzin no lixiviado. Em casa de vegetação, estudou-se a inativação do metribuzin com materiais dos mesmos solos utilizados para o estudo de lixiviação. Para este ensaio foram utilizadas as doses de 0, 50, 80, 110, 140, 170 e 200g do i.a./ha do produto, e em areia lavada, as doses foram de 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 e 16 g do i.a./ha do metribuzin, usando o pepino como planta teste, que foi cortado rente ao solo e pesado aos 14 dias após o plantio. Informações adicionais são necessárias para explicar porque o solo franco -argiloso inativa mais o metribuzin que o solo franco-argilo-arenoso.
Influênciado ethephoncom e sem uréia no florescimento de plantas de abacaxi (Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill 'Cayenne')
Authors: Fahl J.I. , Carelli M.L.C. , Franco J.F.
Published: October 2012

Foram estudados os efeitos de ethephon, com e sem uréia no controle do florescimento de abacaxizeiro 'Cayenne". Foram utilizadas as concentrações de 475 e 950 ppm de ethephon, e essas mesmas doses em combinação com uréia a 2%, em pulverização sobre toda a planta. Verificou-se que 60 dias após os tratamentos, a porcentagem de inflorescências emergidas das plantas das parcelas que receberam 950 ppm de ethephon foi significativamente maior do que as que receberam 475 ppm; por outro lado, essa dose quando acrescida de uréia foi superior à de 950 ppm isolada. Entretanto, a concentração de 950 ppm de ethephon adicionado de uréia foi o melhor tratamento, apresentando mais de 50% de inflorescéncias emergidas, enquanto que a testemunha permaneceu em estádio vegetativo. Aos 116 dias da aplicação, todas as plantas apresentaram inflorescências emergidas excetuando-se as plantas testemunhas, das quais apenas 4,6% atingiram esse estádio de desenvolvimento. A adição de uréia ao ethephon aumentou significativamente a eficiência deste produto em antecipar o florescimento. O tempo necessário para se obt er ce rca de 100% de inflorescências emergidas foi 74, 95, 95 e 116 dias após a aplicação, respectivamente para os tratamentos de 950 ppm de ethephon + uréia a 2%, 950 ppm de ethephon, 475 ppm de ethephon + uréia a 2% e 475 ppm de ethephon.
Efeitos de misturas de bentazon e paraquat no controle de plantas daninhas e na cultura do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (nota prévia)
Authors: Rodrigues B.N. , Victoria Filho R.
Published: October 2012

O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estudar a seletividade da mistura bentazon (3-isopropil-2,1, 3-benzothiodiazinona-(4)-2,2-dióxido) com paraquat (1,1' -dimetil-4,4'-bipiridilio dicloreto) para as cultivares de feijão 'Carioca' e 'Moruna'; alêm do efeito dessa mistura no controle de algumas plantas daninhas e possíveis efeitos sinergisticos resultantes das diferentes misturas. O experimento está sendo conduzido em condições de campo na área experimental do Departamento de Agricultura e Horticultura da ESALQ em Piracicaba-SP, como tambêm em casa de vegetação. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. O critério de avaliação adotado foi o de "percentagem de injúria", às cultivares e às espécies de plantas daninhas, através de avaliação visual. A verificação de sinergismo foi feita utilizando-se a fórmula de Gowing citada por Colby (1). De acordo com ess e método, ve rificou -se que, para ambas as cultivares de feijão, a injúria observada foi menor que a esperada, o que caracterizou um evidente antagonismo entre as misturas desses herbicidas, em relação à cultura. Em relação ao capim-colchão (Digitaria sanguinalis (L .) Scop.) todas as misturas ensaiadas foram também antagonísticas. O sinergismo entre esses produtos ficou bastante caracterizado no controle da guanxuma (Sida glaziovii K. Sch.) e beldroega (Portulacca oleracea L.) principalmente nas doses de 0,48 + 0,05 kg/ha de bentazon + paraquat, respectivamente, notadamente ao 6.Âº e 8.Âº dia após a aplicação. Quanto ao fedegoso (Cassia tora L.) a mistura que mostrou antagonismo significativo foi 0,96 kg/ha de bentazon + 0,10 Kg/ha de paraquat.