bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efeito da adubação mineral e densidade de plantio nas características dendrométricas de plantações de eucalipto de rápido crescimento
Authors: Eufrade-Junior Humberto De Jesus , Sousa João Marcos Rebessi de , Guerra Saulo Philipe Sebastião
Published: April 2021

Para alcançar um maior equilíbrio nutricional nas plantações de eucalipto conduzidas no sistema florestal de curta rotação (SFCR), este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes espaçamentos de plantio (1429 árvores ha-1 a 7142 árvores ha-1) e três regimes de adubação (D1 – 25% da dose comercial, D2 – 50% da dose comercial e D3 – dose comercial) nas características dendrométricas e no índice de competição entre as árvores nas plantações de clones híbridos de Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis aos dois anos de idade. Por meio do ajuste da função Weibull dois parâmetros, observou-se uma maior frequência de árvores nas classes diamétricas superiores com o aumento da área útil por árvore e da dose de adubação, o que indicou uma menor competição entre os indivíduos, sendo esse comportamento corroborado pelo maior índice de espaçamento relativo encontrado. O tratamento com 3571 árvores ha-1 (2,8 m × 1,0 m) e com aplicação de metade da dose comercial praticada tradicionalmente nas plantações de eucalipto seria aquele com maior sustentabilidade nutricional.
Modelos para estimativas de ataque de Sirex noctilio (Fabricius) em povoamentos de Pinus taeda L.
Authors: Carolo Junior Silvio , Tambarussi Evandro Vagner , Ukan Daniele , Penteado Susete Do Rocio Chiarello
Published: April 2021

Uma das principais pragas dos plantios florestais de Pinus spp. é Sirex noctilio (Fabricius), conhecida popularmente como vespa-da-madeira. Este trabalho tem por objetivo desenvolver um modelo matemático para estimar o número de árvores atacadas por Sirex noctilio em povoamentos de Pinus taeda L. baseado nos métodos de monitoramento e nas características dendrométricas do reflorestamento. Selecionaram-se, para a coleta de dados, cinco áreas localizadas no município de Palmas - PR. Foram utilizadas como variáveis independentes do modelo a serem selecionadas pelo método Stepwise a amostragem sequencial, número de indivíduos da parcela, árvores-armadilha, diâmetro a altura do peito (DAP) médio, altura média, volume médio individual, volume da parcela, idade, espaçamento, sítio, área basal da parcela, área transversal média, diâmetro médio quadrático e o DAP estratificado em três classes de diâmetro. A maior influência sobre a estimativa de ataque (Y) foi exercida pelas variáveis número de árvores atacadas detectadas na amostragem sequencial (AS) (p-valor 0,001) e o número de indivíduos da parcela (n) (p-valor 0,05). O modelo mais adequado para a obtenção da variável resposta foi δ = β0 + β1AS+β2n + ε, o qual apresentou coeficiente de determinação ajustado (R²adj) de 0,965 e erro padrão de estimativa (Syx%) de 18,65% obtendo o melhor desempenho na análise gráfica dos resíduos. O modelo pode ser utilizado pelos gestores florestais como uma ferramenta na tomada de decisões quanto ao manejo do povoamento.
As matrículas na Educação de Jovens e Adultos no Ensino Médio em meio à crise da ideologia neodesenvolvimentista
Authors: Ventura Jaqueline Pereira , Oliveira Francisco
Published: April 2021

O propósito deste artigo é compreender a redução das matrículas na Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) no ensino médio na última década. Especificamente, investiga a oferta de EJA/ensino médio no Brasil, de 2009 a 2019, relacionando-a com alguns dos suportes que guiaram as políticas públicas para a modalidade nessa etapa da educação básica: a forma de lidar com a demanda, a flexibilização do tipo de oferta e a ampliação da certificação. Em seguida, analisa algumas das implicações dessas políticas para a educação da classe trabalhadora, em um período que abarca a crise e o colapso da ideologia neodesenvolvimentista e a ascensão dos ultraliberais ao poder. Com base nos dados quantitativos, em documentos oficiais e na literatura especializada, busca desvelar alguns dos aspectos da correlação de forças responsáveis pela redução e pela estagnação das matrículas na EJA/ensino médio no período, que resultaram no fortalecimento de ações educacionais como, por exemplo, elaborar e/ou aprimorar exames nacionais. O itinerário das políticas públicas constituído nessa correlação de forças demonstrou que tais ações incentivaram a certificação, potencializando o mercado da educação não formal. Conclui-se, portanto, que, seja por meios como o Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem) ou o Exame Nacional para Certificação de Competências de Jovens e Adultos (Encceja), o neoliberalismo e o neodesenvolvimentismo contribuíram para esvaziar o direito à escolarização de ensino médio de jovens e adultos da classe trabalhadora e fortaleceram os vínculos do potencial estudante da EJA com a educação não formal e, em sentido mais amplo, com o mercado de certificação.
“NUM DIA COMUM DE HOJE”. TRANSFIGURAÇÕES ENTRE DISCURSOS DE REIVINDICAÇÃO DA DITADURA EM 1975 E EM 2019.
Authors: Fanjul Adrián Pablo
Published: April 2021

Abordamos comparativamente duas peças audiovisuais produzidas, uma em 1975 e outra em 2019, para comemorar laudatoriamente o golpe militar de 1964 no Brasil. A análise focaliza pontos obscuros relativos à sua realização, divulgação e filiação institucional; a interlocução posta em cena; a narrativa repetida; a estabilização de alguns objetos de discurso, e, no caso do vídeo de 2019, uma fissura na sintaxe. Encontramos entre os dois vídeos nítidas relações parafrásticas, mas também anacronismos e diferenças relevantes que dizem respeito às formações imaginárias na interlocução, à construção das entidades em conflito e às modalidades de ênfase e refutação. A partir dos resultados, hipotetizamos o atravessamento atual da regularização de um discurso militarista e autoritário por traços específicos de movimentos recentes.
DA SENZALA AO CÁRCERE: CORPO E MATERNIDADE ÀS MARGENS DA HISTÓRIA
Authors: Bocchi Aline Fernandes de Azevedo
Published: April 2021

Neste artigo, objetiva-se a compreensão de sentidos para o corpo e a maternidade da mulher negra, a partir de um trajeto de leitura situado no encontro entre memória e acontecimento, o qual permite vislumbrar a radicalidade da experiência do olhar. Para tanto, discute-se o estatuto desigual da condição de existência da mulher negra em gestos de análise discursiva da pintura, particularmente da tela Mãe preta, e de duas fotografia de babás e crianças representativas do Brasil oitocentista, articulando-as a uma postagem na rede social Facebook em que a maternidade nas prisões e penitenciárias brasileiras é tematizada.
O FANTASMA DO “MONOLINGUISMO” CONTINUA RONDANDO: DIZERES SOBRE A(S) LÍNGUA(S) DO/NO BRASIL E SUJEITO SURDO
Authors: BUSCÁCIO Lívia Letícia Belmiro , BAALBAKI Angela Correa Ferreira
Published: April 2021

Tendo em vista os dizeres sobre o sujeito e as línguas no espaço-tempo de comunicação brasileiro, percebe-se que ainda ressoam sentidos em defesa do monolinguismo e, por sua vez, produzindo modos de silenciamento e apagamento (AUROUX, 1992; ORLANDI, 1997). Considerando o funcionamento do nome próprio (PÊCHEUX, 2009; HAROCHE, 1992), nos dedicaremos a analisar dizeres produzidos pelo nome próprio Bolsonaro sobre grupos linguísticos minorizados: em mídia digital, em pronunciamento oficial e no Decreto nº. 9.465/19. Que efeitos de sentido ressoam de um imaginário de cidadão brasileiro filiado a uma unidade de estado nação (ORLANDI, 2002) no dizer do nome próprio Bolsonaro?
UNIDADE DIDÁTICA E PLANO DE ATIVIDADES: UMA PRÁTICA DE RESISTÊNCIA PEDAGÓGICA PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE SENTIDOS EM LIBRAS E EM LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA
Authors: MORAIS Fernanda Beatriz Caricari de , CRUZ Osilene Maria Sá
Published: April 2021

A busca por materiais didáticos que contemplem as necessidades de aprendizes surdos tem sido cada vez mais frequente entre profissionais que atuam em ambientes escolares regulares/inclusivos e em escolas bilíngues que adotam o uso da Língua Brasileira de Sinais e da Língua Portuguesa escrita como línguas de instrução. Com base em pesquisadores preocupados com essa temática (FERNANDES, 2002; PEREIRA, 2014; LODI, 2013; MORAIS, 2013; MORAIS; CRUZ, 2016; 2017; entre outros), objetivamos discutir questões sobre o ensino de habilidades de compreensão e produção escrita para alunos surdos, aprendizes de Língua Portuguesa como segunda língua. Além disso, refletimos sobre o ensino de línguas com base em tarefas com enfoque comunicativo (MORAIS; CRUZ, 2016; 2017), realizado por meio de gêneros textuais e textos autênticos, publicados na mídia impressa e eletrônica (RAMOS, 2004). Para isso, a partir das nossas experiências acadêmicas, é apresentado um instrumento de trabalho (Plano de Atividades e Unidade Didática), que visa auxiliar professores em formação inicial e professores que já atuam com aprendizes surdos na Educação Básica.
O DISCURSO POÉTICO COMO UM “PROBLEMA LINGUÍSTICO” NAS NOTAS DE BENVENISTE: PERCURSOS METODOLÓGICOS PARA A ABORDAGEM DA SIGNIFICAÇÃO
Authors: KNACK Carolina
Published: April 2021

Este estudo apresenta uma possibilidade de leitura das notas manuscritas de Émile Benveniste a respeito do discurso poético, notas estas que tomam a poesia de Baudelaire como corpus analítico. Resguardando a natureza inacabada e instável das reflexões nelas inscritas, objetivamos explorar possíveis percursos metodológicos delineados pelo linguista para a abordagem do mecanismo da significação do discurso poético. A leitura do conjunto das notas permite identificar apontamentos programáticos que delineiam não só categorias de análise, como também procedimentos metodológicos a serem empreendidos pelo linguista-analista, no cerne dos quais parece residir o exame das relações referentes à escolha e à combinação de palavras pelo poeta, o que leva Benveniste a postular que o linguista deve estudar uma “sintagmática particular” e “as relações significantes assim obtidas”.
QUESTÕES SOBRE UMA LEITURA PÓS-HUMANISTA DE “SEMIOLOGIA DA LÍNGUA”
Authors: SEVERO Renata Trindade , CAMOZZATO Nathalia Muller
Published: April 2021

Desde sua publicação em 1969, “Semiologia da língua” tem sido objeto de variadas análises devido ao seu potencial de revolucionar os estudos do sentido. Analisa-se aqui uma leitura desse artigo de Émile Benveniste operada pela socióloga Vicky Kirby a fim de evidenciar os conceitos de signo e sistema de significação que estão em jogo tanto na perspectiva pós-humanista de Kirby quanto na perspectiva linguística que privilegia o sentido de Benveniste. Após explorar alguns pontos de divergência com a autora, propõe-se, ao final do texto, a inserção de um conceito estranho à semiologia benvenisteana como exercício de autorreflexão teórica.
Effects of land use change on discharge of the Paraíba do Sul river
Authors: Capozzoli Caluan Rodrigues , Cardoso Andrea De Oliveira
Published: April 2021

The Paraíba do Sul river basin is located in the southeast region of Brazil and across São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states. In addition to the urban and rural population in the basin, Paraíba do Sul River supplies about twelve million people in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, the third-largest metropolitan region in South America. Land-use in the basin is predominantly dairy farming, where inadequate soil management has affected the quality and quantity of water in the basin. In this work, a distributed hydrological model was performed to assess different surface coverage scenarios considering increments of forest cover along to the basin watercourses. The scenarios were compared with the current condition of the basin in terms of annual mean streamflow, annual maximum daily streamflow, and frequency of occurrence of very high and very low flow extremes. The simulations indicate a reduction in the annual mean streamflow rate due to the increase of the cover forest; reduction of annual maximum daily streamflow due to the increase in forest cover. Extreme frequency analysis indicates that increasing forest cover promotes a decrease in very high flow events and an increase in very low flow events during the rainy months of the basin (October to March), however, in the dry months (especially in August) the occurrence of very high flow events increases while very low flow events decrease. These results indicate that although on average and during the rainy season forest cover negatively affects surface water availability in the driest months, when water resources are scarcer, increased forest cover is beneficial for water availability in the basin.
Enraizamento, circuitos curtos e combate à pobreza rural no semiárido nordestino: uma experiência de desenvolvimento rural no Quilombo Tabacaria
Authors: Morais João Rafael Gomes de , Magalhães Luíz Fernando Barbosa Gomes
Published: April 2021

O objetivo do artigo é analisar o processo de desenvolvimento local do Quilombo Tabacaria sob a ótica da constituição de circuitos curtos agroalimentares através do enraizamento de negócios rurais. Parte-se da ideia de que essa abordagem pode contribuir tanto no combate à pobreza rural, quanto na valorização do patrimônio socioambiental do semiárido nordestino. Para tanto, utilizaram-se métodos de pesquisa-ação com a finalidade de elaborar e executar um plano de ação participativo. Entre os resultados da pesquisa, é possível afirmar que a constituição de negócios em comunidades rurais empobrecidas é diretamente dependente da tecitura de relações sociais recíprocas e solidárias entre seus membros, sendo, muitas vezes, condição sine qua non para a criação e a oferta de produtos e serviços diferenciados.
Det er, som om man er med i bogen - Når elever sanser litterære steder
Authors:   , Pjedsted Pernille Damm Mønsted
Published: April 2021

Med afsæt i erfaringsorienteret undervisning, inspireret af Deweys holistiske og pragmatiske tilgang til viden, bidrager denne ph.d.-afhandling med en anden måde at læse tekster på i skolen. Bidraget er en stedorienteret litteraturtilgang, hvis særegenhed består i, at elever skal opleve de steder, der har betydning for indholdet i de tekster, de læser. Eksempelvis læser eleverne i nærværende forløb om en dreng, der flygter ud i en skov og overnatter under åben himmel, hvorfor eleverne ligeledes overnatter i en skov under åben himmel, mens de læser i teksten. Dette sker med den forventning, at teksten derved læses med hele kroppen. I forbindelse med at konkretisere den stedorienterede litteraturtilgang, er der udviklet et didaktisk design, som er materialiseret i et undervisningsforløb og forankret i litteraturdidaktiske perspektiver. Disse perspektiver værdsætter undervisning, der i transaktioner mellem elever, tekster og steder intenderer at overskride kognitive/efferente og affektive forståelser af læsninger. Tilgangen er i særdeleshed inspireret af Anne-Marie Mais historiske perspektiver på sted og litteratur, samt en forståelse af stedet som en begivenhed. Endvidere en forståelse af, at stedet som begivenhed kan give eleverne nogle handlemuligheder, affordances, i kraft af den kombinerede læse- og stedoplevelse, hvilket kan bidrage til orther-oriented perspective-taking.
Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza: uma hermenêutica feminista crítica
Authors: Henriques Fernanda
Published: April 2021

O texto incide sobre o pensamento de Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza e o seu caráter inovador e transformador, querendo mostrar a profunda ruptura no espaço das teologias contemporâneas que a sua obra representa. Nesse sentido, explorará alguns dos caminhos abertos pelo pensamento de Fiorenza, dando particular atenção (1) às questões da importância da construção de uma memória crítica para o processo de libertação da imagem das mulheres e do feminino, no campo do cristianismo, (2) ao papel decisivo da linguagem nesse processo de libertação e (3) aos traços fundamentais da sua proposta de salvaguardar a igualdade entre mulheres e homens no seio da religião.
Hermenêutica Feminista da Suspeita como possibilidade de superação de epistemologias teológicas excludentes
Authors: Souza Candiotto Jaci de Fátima
Published: April 2021

O artigo desenvolve uma das dimensões da hermenêutica teológica, que pode ser denominada de hermenêutica feminista da suspeita. Ela objetiva confrontar os textos canônicos reconhecidos como patriarcais e distinguir entre sua roupagem cultural e a mensagem a ser transmitida. A suspeita reside nessa roupagem, que normalmente associa a mensagem divina a uma linguagem e significação masculinas, a partir quais as mulheres parecem estar ausentes ou inativas. A hermenêutica feminista da suspeita objetiva reposicionar as mulheres e realçar suas ações no seio dos textos sagrados e eclesiais, de maneira que deixem de ser desqualificadas como meras coadjuvantes e auxiliares. Em um primeiro momento, estuda-se a relação entre hermenêutica teológica e hermenêutica teológica feminista; em seguida, o artigo especifica a hermenêutica da suspeita, especialmente como ela é praticada pela teóloga Elsa Tamez.
Introduction and Evaluation of Objective Structured Practical Examination as an Assessment Tool in Pharmacology for Second Year Medical Students
Authors: Jain Shipra , Kalra Ruchika , Mani Pushkar , Goswami Prerna Shiv
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. Practical examination in pre and para clinical subjects lacks objectivity and carries risk of bias. This has been revamped with introduction of Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) in several medical colleges. It comprises of structured questions with defined marking system thus ensuring holistic learning for students. Aim: To evaluate perception of second year undergraduate students towards OSPE in the subject of Pharmacology, in a tertiary care teaching hospital situated in Northern India. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on second professional MBBS students of 2018 batch in the Department of Pharmacology of a tertiary care teaching hospital. After sensitisation of students towards OSPE, the second year medical undergraduates were divided into four batches with each batch comprising of about 30 students. The assessment was conducted for four consecutive days by the faculty and staff in Department of Pharmacology. The OSPE questions along with the answer key and checklist were prepared. OSPE comprised of 10 stations out of which five were procedure stations (Observed) while the other five stations were unobserved in the form of spotters. The time assigned for each station was five minutes. The effectiveness of OSPE was evaluated through a feedback questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha was applied to check the internal construct reliability and Pearson’s coefficient of correlation was applied to check the test-retest reliability. Results: The Pearson’s coefficient of correlation showing the test-retest reliability was 0.976. Cronbach’s alpha for the feedback questionnaire was 0.79 which showed high internal construct reliability. For the cognitive domain, 112 (91.82%) students favoured that the questions were quite clear. In the psychomotor domain, 76 (62.30%) students responded in favour of its usefulness in skill development. For affective domain, 95 (77.87%) students said that it was not stressful. Regarding the assessment method, 114 (93.44%) students favoured that instructions were clear and adequate. A statistically significant difference (p<0.001) was observed in the perception of students towards OSPE as compared to Conventional Practical Examination (CPE). Conclusion: The feedback received from students was encouraging. OSPE helped students in better learning and acquisition of practical skills as compared to CPE. The study highlighted the need to revise the existing methods of practical examination.
Interferon-γ, Interleukin 1-β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α levels and Their Association with Lipid and Glycaemic Profiles in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Milebary Ahmed J. , Ajabnoor Mohamed A. , Bakheit Khalid H.
Published: April 2021

The cytokines IFN-γ, interleukin IL-1β, and TNF-α each up regulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and are therefore considered as inflammatory markers. The present study aimed to measure the serum levels of IFN-γ, interleukin IL-1β, and TNF-α in mice after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin and to correlate their levels to lipid and glycaemic profiles. The study included 40 Swiss Albino mice (20 males and 20 females), half of each male and female groups were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After 48 hours, the serum levels of INF-γ, IL1-β as well as TNF-α were measured with ELISA and their levels were correlated to lipid and glycaemic profiles. The levels of the cytokines, IFN-γ, IL1-β and TNF-α were measured and correlated to lipid profile, blood glucose and insulin. The serum levels of the three studied cytokines, IFN-γ, IL 1-β and TNF-α were statistically significantly higher among diabetic mice compared to the control group. Diabetic male mice (M-STZ mice) group showed significantly higher lipid profile compared to the control group (M-control). Cholesterol level was significantly higher among female control (F-control) compared to the M-control group. Cholesterol level was significantly higher among diabetic female mice (F-STZ mice) compared to the F-Control group. Regarding IFN-γ, IL 1-β and TNF-α levels, there were significant linear correlations with the glycemic profile (Glucose, insulin) reflected as positive correlation with blood glucose level and negative correlation with insulin level.
BMP9‐ID1 signaling promotes EpCAM‐positive cancer stem cell properties in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Han , Nio Kouki , Yamashita Taro , Okada Hikari , Li Ru , Suda Tsuyoshi , Li Yingyi , Doan Phuong Thi Bich , Seki Akihiro , Nakagawa Hidetoshi , Toyama Tadashi , Terashima Takeshi , Iida Noriho , Shimakami Tetsuro , Takatori Hajime , Kawaguchi Kazunori , Sakai Yoshio , Yamashita Tatsuya , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Honda Masao , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: April 2021

The malignant nature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely related to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Bone morphologic protein 9 (BMP9), a member of the transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) superfamily, was recently reported to be involved in liver diseases including cancer. We aimed to elucidate the role of BMP9 signaling in HCC‐CSC properties and to assess the therapeutic effect of BMP receptor inhibitors in HCC. We have identified that high BMP9 expression in tumor tissues or serum from patients with HCC leads to poorer outcome. BMP9 promoted CSC properties in epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)‐positive HCC subtype via enhancing inhibitor of DNA‐binding protein 1 (ID1) expression in vitro. Additionally, ID1 knockdown significantly repressed BMP9‐promoted HCC‐CSC properties by suppressing Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Interestingly, cells treated with BMP receptor inhibitors K02288 and LDN‐212854 blocked HCC‐CSC activation by inhibiting BMP9‐ID1 signaling, in contrast to cells treated with the TGF‐β receptor inhibitor galunisertib. Treatment with LDN‐212854 suppressed HCC tumor growth by repressing ID1 and EpCAM in vivo. Our study demonstrates the pivotal role of BMP9‐ID1 signaling in promoting HCC‐CSC properties and the therapeutic potential of BMP receptor inhibitors in treating EpCAM‐positive HCC. Therefore, targeting BMP9‐ID1 signaling could offer novel therapeutic options for patients with malignant HCC.
Evaluation of failure modes and effect analysis for routine risk assessment of lung radiotherapy at a UK center
Authors: Gilmore Martyn D. F. , Rowbottom Carl G.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Explore the feasibility of adopting failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) for risk assessment of a high volume clinical service at a UK radiotherapy center. Compare hypothetical failure modes to locally reported incidents.

Method

An FMEA for a lung radiotherapy service was conducted at a hospital that treats ~ 350 lung cancer patients annually with radical radiotherapy. A multidisciplinary team of seven people was identified including a nominated facilitator. A process map was agreed and failure modes identified and scored independently, final failure modes and scores were then agreed at a face‐to‐face meeting. Risk stratification methods were explored and staff effort recorded. Radiation incidents related to lung radiotherapy reported locally in a 2‐year period were analyzed to determine their relation to the identified failure modes. The final FMEA was therefore a combination of prospective evaluation and retrospective analysis from an incident learning system.

Results

Thirty‐six failure modes were identified for the pre‐existing clinical service. The top failure modes varied according to the ranking method chosen. The process required 30 h of combined staff time. Over the 2‐year period chosen, 38 voluntarily reported incidents were identified as relating to lung radiotherapy. Of these, 13 were not predicted by the identified failure modes, with six relating to delays in the process, three issues with appointment times, one communication error, two instances of a failure to image, and one technical fault deemed unpredictable by the manufacturer. Four additional failure modes were added to the FMEA following the incident analysis.

Conclusion

FMEA can be effectively applied to an established high volume service as a risk assessment method. Facilitation by an individual familiar with the FMEA process can reduce resource requirement. Prospective evaluation of risks should be combined with an incident reporting and learning system to produce a more comprehensive analysis of risk.
White House releases drug priorities: Focus on harm reduction, treatment and inequities
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2021

The link between harm reduction and treatment was a theme of the drug priorities released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) this month, with a focus on reducing overdoses. With more than 70,000 overdose deaths in 2019, and an increase in involvement of stimulants in recent years, new approaches are necessary, according to the ONDCP, which made the announcement April 1. Additionally, “systemic inequities in our nation's approach to criminal justice and prevention, treatment, and recovery” have emphasized the need for change.
Enabling Aqueous Processing for LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4‐Based Positive Electrodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries by Applying Lithium‐Based Processing Additives
Authors: Dienwiebel Iris , Diehl Marcel , Heidrich Bastian , Yang Xiaofei , Winter Martin , Börner Markus
Published: April 2021

Aqueous processing of positive electrode active materials (AMs) could enable a more economical and environmentally friendly production of lithium‐ion batteries. Intrinsically, aqueous processing of positive AMs is hampered by lithium‐proton exchange in the AM surface, leading to a poor electrochemical performance and a resulting strong increase in the pH value in the electrode paste, thereby corroding the aluminum current collector. Herein, the influence of different lithium salts as processing additive to tailor the pH value of the electrode paste, the manganese dissolution during processing, and the electrochemical performance is described for aqueous processing of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4‐based positive electrodes. Positive electrodes, based on an aqueous LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4‐based electrode paste which is mixed with LiN(SO2CF3)2 (LiTFSI), achieve a comparable electrochemical performance to state‐of‐the‐art nonaqueous‐processed electrodes. Manganese dissolution into the electrode paste is examined by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), showing that the addition of lithium salts to the electrode paste substantially decreases manganese leaching during processing. Furthermore, postmortem analysis shows that the addition of LiTFSI to the electrode paste has a positive effect not only during processing but also on charge/discharge cycling performance.
Access to Allene‐Containing Molecules via Enantioselective Reactions of Azolium Cumulenolate Intermediates
Authors: Xie Yongtao , Yang Xing , Xu Jun , Chai Huifang , Liu Hongxia , Zhang Junmin , Song Jun , Gao Yuan , Jin Zhichao , Chi Yonggui Robin
Published: April 2021

Azolium cumulenolates are a special type of intermediates in N‐heterocyclic carbene catalysis. They contain elongated linear structures with three contiguous C=C bonds and sterically unhindered α‐carbon atoms. These structural features make it difficult to develop enantioselective reactions for these intermediates. Here we disclose the first carbene‐catalyzed highly enantioselective addition reactions of azolium cumulenolates. The reaction starts with alkynals as the precursors for azolium cumulenolate intermediates that undergo enantioselective addition to activated ketones. From the same set of substrates, both allene and spirooxindole products can be obtained with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The allene moieties in our optically enriched products carry rich reactivities and can be transformed to diverse molecules. The spirooxindole scaffolds in our products are important structural motifs in natural products and medicines.
Developments in Dilatometry for Characterisation of Electrochemical Devices
Authors: Michael Harry , Jervis Rhodri , Brett Dan J. L. , Shearing Paul R.
Published: April 2021

Since the 1970s, electrochemical dilatometry (ECD) has been used to investigate the dilation of layered host materials due to the intercalation of guest ions, atoms or molecules, and has recently gained traction in application to various electrochemical devices, such as lithium‐ion batteries (LiBs), which have electrodes that undergo volume changes during cycling, resulting in particle cracking and electrode degradation. With resolution capabilities spanning tens of microns down to a few nanometres, dilatometry is a valuable tool in understanding how commonly used electrodes dilate and degrade and can therefore be of critical value in improving their performance. In recent years, there has been a plethora of studies using dilatometry as a monitoring tool for understanding operating performance in various electrochemical devices; however, to our knowledge, there has been no in‐depth review of this body of research to date. This paper seeks to address this by reviewing how dilatometry works and how it has been used for the characterisation of electrochemical energy storage devices.
Establishment of a post‐race biomarkers database and application of pathway analysis to identify potential biomarkers in post‐race equine plasma
Authors: Ohnuma Kohei , Uchida Taiga , Leung Gary Ngai‐Wa , Ueda Toshiki , Obara Taku , Ishii Hideaki
Published: April 2021

In the context of doping control, conventional direct chemical testing detects only a limited scope of target substances in equine biological samples. To expand the ability to detect doping agents and their detection windows, metabolomics has recently become a common approach for monitoring alteration of biomarkers caused by doping agents in relevant metabolic pathways. In horse racing, remarkable changes in metabolic profiles between the rest state and racing are likely to affect the identification of doping biomarkers. Previously, we reported a limited number of significantly upregulated metabolites after racing, based on a non‐targeted metabolomics approach using out‐of‐competition and post‐race equine plasma samples. In this study, we performed a more thorough analysis of the data set, using pathway analysis to establish a post‐race biomarkers database (PBD) that includes upregulated and downregulated metabolites, their fold changes, and relevant pathways, with the main objective of improving our understanding of changes in physiological status related to horse racing. Statistical analysis of the PBD revealed that two peak combinations of pentadecanoyl carnitine/galactosylglycerol (P/G) and heptadecanoyl carnitine/galactosylglycerol (H/G) could be used as potential biomarkers for the discrimination of the rest and post‐race groups. To demonstrate the applicability of the PBD, we validated the post‐race biomarkers P/G and H/G (highly involved in lipid metabolism) by a single‐blind test. This strategy, which combines establishment of a biomarker database with pathway analysis, represents a powerful tool for discovering potential doping biomarkers in the future.
Thermal Engineering of NiCo‐Codoped Carbon Nanofibers toward Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis for Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Liu Chaojun , Zong Xin , Jin Yingmin , Lin Ruifan , Xiong Yueping
Published: April 2021

Electrospinning is an efficient and facile method to prepare carbon nanofibers (CFs) embedded with a NiCo alloy as efficient oxygen electrocatalysts for Zn–air batteries. The subsequent pyrolysis of electrospun‐woven is significant to the crystallization degree of CFs and NiCo alloy. Herein, the effect of the crystallization degree of the alloy and carbon on the oxygen electrocatalytic activity is explored through controlled thermal engineering (the annealing temperature). As the temperature increases, the degree of crystallization and agglomeration of nanoparticles increases simultaneously, accompanied by the increase of the graphitization degree of CFs. Among all the samples, NiCo/CF‐800 exhibits the best oxygen bifunctional catalytic activity (ΔE = 0.73 V). A Zn–air battery based on the NiCo/CF‐800 catalyst exhibits a high peak power density (168.6 mW cm−2), high specific capacity (802.6 mA h gZn−1), and excellent charge/discharge cycling stability. This work provides new insight into catalysts through thermal engineering, promoting the practical application of electrospinning as a large‐scale production method.
Precipitation of Mainland India: Copula‐based bias‐corrected daily CORDEX climate data for both mean and extreme values
Authors: Suman Mayank , Maity Rajib , Kunstmann Harald
Published: April 2021

Changes in mean and extreme precipitation characteristics with changing climate may lead to an increase in frequency of hydrological extremes. For studying the impacts of the changing climate on hydrological systems, General Circulation Model (GCM)/Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulated precipitation are used. However, these products should be bias‐corrected before used in hydrological simulations to predict hydrological extremes. Most of the existing bias‐correction techniques suffer from either of two limitations – (a) they only reduce bias in selected precipitation quantile (either mean or extreme values), and/or (b) they exclude zero values from the analysis, even though their presence is significant in daily precipitation. In this study, a stochastic copula‐based bias‐correction method (Maity et al., J. Hydrometeorol., 20, 2019, 595), henceforth RMPH method, is used that corrects the bias in any quantile (mean and/or extreme values) of daily precipitation including zero values. The RMPH method is applied across Indian mainland to correct bias in simulated precipitation from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX). Due to diverse climatic conditions across India, the quality of bias‐corrected precipitation is studied separately for different meteorologically homogenous regions of the country. Despite non‐uniform distribution of raingauge stations for observed precipitation, the superiority of the bias‐corrected precipitation (from RMPH method) in correcting bias and retaining the seasonal variation across the country is evident when compared with tradition bias‐correction approach like quantile mapping. The new bias‐corrected precipitation dataset developed is particularly suited for hydrological simulations, formulating extreme event mitigation strategies and climate change adaptation strategies.
Reduced anterior hippocampal and ventromedial prefrontal activity when repeatedly retrieving autobiographical memories
Authors: Gurguryan Lauri , Rioux Mathilde , Sheldon Signy
Published: April 2021

Research has reported that repeatedly retrieving a novel or imagined event representation reduces activity within brain regions critical for constructing mental scenarios, namely the anterior hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). The primary aim of this investigation was to test if this pattern reported for imagined events would be found when repeatedly recollecting autobiographical memories. Twenty‐four participants retrieved 12 pre‐selected autobiographical memories four times while undergoing an fMRI scan. We used a region of interest approach to investigate how the anterior and posterior hippocampus as well as cortical regions critical for memory retrieval—the vmPFC and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)—are affected by repeated retrievals. This analysis revealed an effect in the bilateral anterior hippocampi and vmPFC, but not the posterior hippocampus nor the PCC, with activity decreasing in these regions as a function of repeated retrievals. A multivariate analytic approach (Partial Least Squares) was used to assess whole‐brain patterns of neural activity associated with repeated retrievals. This analysis revealed one pattern of neural activity associated with the initial retrieval of a memory (e.g., inferior frontal and temporal lobe regions) and a separate pattern of activity associated with later retrievals that was distributed primarily across the lateral parietal cortices. These findings suggest that the anterior hippocampus and the vmPFC support the episodic construction of an autobiographical memory the first time it is retrieved and that alternate nonconstructive processes support its subsequent retrieval shortly thereafter.
Ambulance clinician perspectives of disparity in prehospital child pain management: A mixed methods study
Authors: Whitley Gregory Adam , Hemingway Pippa , Law Graham Richard , Siriwardena Aloysius Niroshan
Published: April 2021

Background

When children suffer acute pain, the ambulance service is often involved to provide initial assessment, treatment, and transport. Several predictors of effective pain management have been identified, including children who are younger (0‐5 years), administered analgesics, and living in homes from more affluent areas.

Objective

To explain previously identified predictors of effective prehospital pain management in children.

Design

Mixed methods sequential explanatory study.

Setting and participants

East Midlands Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) participated in face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. These were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using thematic analysis. Meta‐inferences were generated and illustrated within a joint display.

Results

Twelve clinicians (9 paramedics and 3 EMTs) were interviewed. Median (interquartile range) age was 43.5 years (41.5, 45.75), 58% were male (n = 7) and 58% were parents (n = 7). Possible explanations were provided for all predictors. Younger children were perceived to express more emotion, were easier to distract, and lived more in the moment than their older counterparts, which explained why younger children were more likely to achieve effective pain management. Analgesics were perceived to have a psychosocial benefit in addition to the pharmacological action. Ambulance clinicians felt that children living in more affluent areas were more likely to achieve effective pain management because the kempt environment facilitated assessment and management and clinicians spent more time on scene; this allowed more time for analgesics to take effect. Participants perceived paramedics to be more confident, and it was found that paramedics were older, more experienced, had a greater scope of practice, and spent more time on scene than EMTs.

Conclusion

Prehospital pain management in children could be improved by facilitating and prioritizing analgesic administration and by ambulance services ensuring a paramedic, or highly trained clinician, is present on each vehicle, necessitating long‐term commitment to staff development.
Herkinorin negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome to alleviate neuronal ischemic injury through activating Mu opioid receptor and inhibiting the NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Cui Xu , Xu Xin , Ju Zhihai , Wang Guyan , Xi Chunhua , Li Junfa
Published: April 2021

Herkinorin is a novel opioid receptor agonist. Activation of opioid receptors, a member of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), may play an important role in Herkinorin neuroprotection. GPCRs may modulate NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)‐mediated inflammatory responses in the mechanisms of inflammation‐associated disease and pathological processes. In this study, we investigated the effects of Herkinorin on NLRP3 and the underlying receptor and molecular mechanisms in oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)‐treated rat cortex neurons. First, Western blot analysis showed that Herkinorin can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 and Caspase‐1, decrease the expression of interleukin (IL)‐1β, and decrease the secretion of IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor α detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in OGD/R‐treated neurons. Then we found that Herkinorin downregulated NLRP3 levels by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway, reducing the phosphorylation level of p65 and IκBα in OGD/R‐treated neurons (p < .05 or .01, n = 3 per group). Instead, both the mu opioid receptor (MOR) inhibitor, β‐funaltrexamine, and MOR knockdown reversed the effects of Herkinorin on NLRP3 (p < .05 or .01, n = 3 per group). Further, we found that the level of β‐arrestin2 decreased in the cell membrane and increased in the cytoplasm after Herkinorin pretreatment in OGD/R‐treated neurons. In co‐immunoprecipitation experiments, Herkinorin increased the binding of IκBα with β‐arrestin2, decreased the ubiquitination level of IκBα, and β‐arrestin2 knockdown reversed the effects of Herkinorin on IκBα in OGD/R‐treated neurons (p < .05 or .01, n = 3 per group). Our data demonstrated that Herkinorin negatively regulated NLRP3 inflammasome to alleviate neuronal ischemic injury through inhibiting NF‐κB pathway mediated primarily by MOR activation. Inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway by Herkinorin may be achieved by decreasing the ubiquitination level of IκBα, in which β‐arrestin2 may play an important role.
The Identified Donor Effect: Disclosure of the Donor’s Name Shapes the Recipient’s Behavior
Authors: Chen Yunqing , Gao Leilei
Published: April 2021

Previous research on charitable donations has examined the costs and benefits of anonymity from the perspectives of donors and charities. However, it is unclear how anonymity affects the recipients of a donation. This research examines how donor name disclosure affects recipients’ behaviors. The findings demonstrate that recipients of donations from named individuals (vs. recipients of anonymous donations) tend to regulate their behaviors to be more in line with the general goal of the donation. This occurs because name disclosure increases the salience of the donor’s identity in the mind of the recipient, which in turn leads to an increased feeling of obligation. Six lab and online studies (including two preregistered studies) and one field study assess this effect. The implications of these findings for charities, individual donors, and public policymakers are discussed.
Morphology and closing mechanism of the mandibular gland orifice in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Richter Adrian , Schoeters Eric , Billen Johan
Published: April 2021

The mandibular gland of ants releases chemical compounds with functions ranging from nestmate alarm and recognition to antimicrobial defense. While the morphology of this ethologically important gland is well investigated in several species, the mechanism of secretion release in ants was not explicitly addressed so far. To clarify this question, we examined the anatomy of the gland orifice in ant species from 14 different subfamilies employing different techniques. The orifice close to the mandibular base is located on an area called mandalus. Our investigations revealed variation in mandalar shape, with clear trends in different subfamilies. By contrast, the internal organization is remarkably congruent across all investigated species. The thin external mandalar cuticle is always connected to the mandibular gland duct by a cuticular lamella, visible as a characteristic anchor‐shaped structure in cross section. The slit‐like gland orifice at the distal end of the mandalus is usually crescent‐shaped. In some ant species with specialized mandibles such as trap‐jaws, the organization of the orifice area is adapted to the mandibular shape, but always retains the general internal organization. No muscles were found in association with the orifice, nor with any other part of the mandibular gland. However, the base of the mandalus is connected to the prepharyngeal sucking pump by a cuticular ligament. Additionally, it is continuous with the conjunctiva connecting the mandible to the head capsule. We propose that retraction of the sucking pump by the muscle M. tentoriobuccalis, potentially in concert with opening of the mandible, stretches out the ligament and thus pulls on the mandalus and mandalar lamella to open the gland orifice and allow for secretion release. This hypothesis is congruent with findings on other aculeate Hymenoptera and expands our knowledge on the function of an important gland of ants.
Bioactivity‐guided separation of antifungal compounds by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Li Zhidong , Dai Zhuoshun , Jiang Dasen , Dai Yingping , Jin Yu , Fu Qing , Liang Xinmiao
Published: April 2021

Bioactivity‐guided chromatographic methods are of great significance for the isolation of the active compounds in complex samples. In this study, four anti‐fungal compounds were located by activity screening and successfully isolated from a microbial fermentation sample by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography. Separation performance of columns including C18, positively charged C18, negatively charged C18 and C8 were firstly investigated. And it showed a better capacity of mixed‐mode stationary phases for retention and separation. Therefore, the positively charged C18 column was used to separate the sample into several fractions, among which the active one was identified by the antifungal test. And then the active fraction was enriched and separated again by successively using the negatively charged C18 and C8 columns to obtain four compounds, which were identified as polyoxins A, K, F and H. With activity verification, four polyoxins were found to have good inhibitory effects against the three fungal plant diseases including rice sheath blight, tomato grey mould disease, and apple spot leaf disease.
New York law to end solitary confinement for SMI, promote rehabilitation
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2021

Following eight years of advocacy to end solitary confinement for people with serious mental illness, and both the mental and physical harm facing thousands of New Yorkers, many of whom are Black and Latinx, advocacy groups are hailing landmark legislation signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that reforms the state's criminal justice system and adds rehabilitation to its services and settings.
Cancer is an emotional diagnosis too
Authors: Hayes Cynthia
Published: April 2021

Cancer is a big ordeal. In addition to its physical toll, cancer results in somewhat predictable psychological turmoil. Understanding the typical sequence of emotions and the reasons for that volatility makes it a little easier to support patients through the experience — as a friend, loving caregiver or health professional. Although DNA, life experiences, personalities, relationships and habits influence how individuals feel, internalize and express those emotions, recognizing the patterns and helping patients understand the physiological changes that drive them can go a long way toward validating the experience, and building the resiliency needed to cope.