bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wholemeal Spelt Bread Enriched with Green Spelt as a Source of Valuable Nutrients
Authors: Kraska Piotr , Andruszczak Sylwia , Gawlik-Dziki Urszula , Dziki Dariusz , Kwiecińska-Poppe Ewa
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of wholemeal bread prepared from the flour of spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) that was enriched by the addition of freeze-dried spelt grain (at proportions of 4%, 8%, and 12%, respectively, in relation to the flour weight). The spelt grain used in the study was harvested at the milk dough stage (the so-called green grain). Green spelt grain was characterized by a significantly higher content of minerals namely P, Mg, Ca and Zn compared to ripe spelt grain. Additionally, it contained significantly higher amounts of amino acids (Asp, Thr, Ser, Gly, Ala, Cys, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Phe, Lys), lipids, as well as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and omega-3 and omega-9 acids. However, it had a lower content of palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and omega-6 acids. The results showed that the nutritional value of bread was improved by the green spelt grain, however the ω6/ω3 ratio in bread enriched with green spelt grain was slightly less favorable than in control bread. Among all the products tested, bread enriched with a 12% proportion of green spelt grain was characterized by the highest content of almost all the amino acids (except for Pro, Cys, and Met), as well as in Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe. In addition, overall acceptability of this bread was the highest. Bread enriched with 8% of green grain contained the highest amount of P, Ca, Pro, linoleic acid, PUFA, and ω 6 acids, while bread enriched with 4% of green spelt grain had the highest content of palmitic acid and saturated fatty acids.
Improvement of Productivity through the Reduction of Unexpected Equipment Faults in Die Attach Equipment
Authors: Park You-Jin , Hur Sun
Published: April 2020

As one of the semiconductor back-end processes, die attach process is the process that attaches an individual non-defective die (or chip) produced from the semiconductor front-end production to the lead frame on a strip. With most other processes of semiconductor manufacturing, it is very important to improve productivity by lessening the occurrence of defective products generally represented as losses, and then find the fault causes which lower productivity of the die attach process. Thus, as the case study to analyze quantitatively the faults of the die attach process equipment, in this research, we developed analysis systems including statistical analysis functions to improve the productivity of die attach process. This research shows that the developed system can find the causes of equipment faults in die attach process equipment and help improve the productivity of the die attach process by controlling the critical parameters which cause unexpected equipment faults and losses.
An Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Support Framework for the Selection of Suppliers in Small and Medium Enterprises based on Green Innovation Ability
Authors: Musaad O Almalki Sultan , Zhuo Zhang , Siyal Zafar Ali , Shaikh Ghulam Muhammad , Shah Syed Ahsan Ali , Solangi Yasir Ahmed , Musaad O Almalki Otaibi
Published: April 2020

Globally, organizations are under enormous pressure to implement green supply chain processes due to growing environmental concerns. Subsequently, organizations and firms have become more conscious of their suppliers’ green innovation ability. However, the selection of the most optimum supplier concerning green innovation ability remains a challenging task that needs to be analyzed. Thus, this study develops an integrated fuzzy and grey-based methodology to analyze and prioritize suppliers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the context of Saudi Arabia. Initially, the study identifies 4 criteria and 20 sub-criteria through extensive literature review with respect to suppliers’ green innovation ability. Later, the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) computes weights of criteria and sub-criteria. Finally, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)-Grey was employed to rank the suppliers. The process of assigning weights to criteria and sub-criteria involved twelve experts from academics and industry. The results of Fuzzy AHP indicated that the “Green Innovation Initiatives” is the most significant criterion for the supplier selection. The results of TOPSIS-Grey revealed that the “Supplier-3” is the most optimum supplier having the highest potential of adopting green practices among other suppliers. The overall results provide adequate feedback for organizations and firms to maximize their ability to curb environmental impacts from their upstream activities.
Thoughtfulness and Hospitality: On Refusing Antagonistic Politics at the End of History
Authors: McDowell John C.
Published: April 2020

The paper is constructed around the issues involved for the critical interrogation of the instrumental rationality generating political thoughtlessness in the following claim: “Humanity is in crisis—and there is no exit from that crisis other than solidarity of humans”. [Zygmunt Bauman] To even interrogate this as a crisis requires a depth-analysis of the hegemony of subject-formation, and this occurs in two markedly different ways. The first takes shape around a critical investigation of the neoliberalisation of subjectivity through Francis Fukuyama’s important text, The End of History and the Last Man. The second subjects the neoliberal post-political global subject to a competing antagonistic political construal in Samuel Huntington’s influential The Clash of Civilizations. The implication is of their importance to a genealogy of the range of contemporary political possibilities. The suggested repair takes the form of a particular gesture: a gesture towards subjecting the globally fractured subject takes shape within a theological configuration in terms of a Christic politics of neighbourliness.
Religious Identity and Public Pro-Environmental Behavior in China: The Mediating Role of Environmental Risk Perception
Authors: Zeng Sheng , Wu Lin , Liu Tianyuan
Published: April 2020

Although the positive relationship between religion and environmental behavior has aroused heated debate, empirical research on the relationship between religion and public pro-environmental behavior is still relatively insufficient. This paper aims to explore the group differences in the influence of religious identity on public pro-environmental behavior and the mediating role of environmental risk perception in religious identity and public pro-environmental behavior. Using the Chinese General Social Survey data of 2013 for empirical analysis, this study’s results show that there are group differences in the impact of religious identity on public pro-environmental behavior. Women with a religious identity are more willing to engage in public pro-environmental behavior than those without a religious identity. Additionally, people over the age of 45 with a religious identity are more willing to participate in public pro-environmental behavior than those without a religious identity. Furthermore, political participants with a religious identity are more willing to practice public pro-environmental behavior than those without a religious identity. In addition, we found that environmental risk perception can act as partial mediation in religion and public pro-environmental behavior. In other words, religious identities are deeply embedded in local political and social culture. In order to correctly understand the relationship between religion and public pro-environmental behavior, it is necessary to consider religious identity in a specific cultural background.
Impact of Land-Use/Land-Cover Change on Drinking Water Ecosystem Services in Wami River Basin, Tanzania
Authors: Twisa Sekela , Mwabumba Mohamed , Kurian Mathew , Buchroithner Manfred F.
Published: April 2020

Land-use/land-cover changes are considered the dominant form of anthropogenic pressure on the environment, causing changes in ecosystem service patterns and affecting water supply services. Using the spatial econometric technique, we analysed the impact of land-use/land-cover change on water ecosystem services for domestic use upstream and downstream of the Wami River Basin. The results in terms of land-use/land-cover classes during the study period (2011–2016) indicate that cultivated land showed maximum positive changes in both sub-catchments, while bushland and woodland showed maximum negative changes upstream and downstream. The results showed that bushland, woodland, cultivated land, and grassland were significantly correlated with water point characteristics in both sub-catchments. For functionality characteristics, a significant effect was observed in bushland and grassland upstream and downstream, respectively, while sufficient water was found in woodland upstream and grassland downstream. Moreover, bushland was observed to have a significant number of water points with poor quality of water upstream, and a substantial number of water points with good quality of water were found in grassland downstream. We found that all measured land-use/land-cover changes and water point characteristic correlations were statistically significant; therefore, we concluded that land-use/land-cover change affects the water ecosystem in the basin. These results could facilitate decision-making and development of related policies and might support finding sustainable strategies for water ecosystem services for domestic use.
Implications of Educational Policy-Making Which Encourages Schools to Collaborate with the Community, External Agencies, Private Companies, Employers and Voluntary Organisations
Authors: Everitt Julia
Published: April 2020

Despite the move to state education, policy-makers since the early 1900s have encouraged the community, external agencies, private companies, employers and voluntary organisations to become involved in schools. The rationales for these collaborations are to address issues (e.g., delinquency, neglect, underachievement and low family support), which will be tackled through activities (e.g., extra-curricular clubs and one-to-one support) and to focus on the social aspects of schooling of wider audiences (e.g., adults). These activities are deemed as beneficial through implementation which is perceived to be issue free. Research is lacking with regard to how these policy responses are played out in practice and the perceptions of those involved. This paper reveals the individuals involved in four case study schools using an audit pro-forma, documentary analysis and interviews with school staff and external agencies. The findings highlight that several individuals were expected to deliver former statutory provision for free, but quality was a concern. Individuals may perceive that their activities contribute to the national curriculum, but staff had different perceptions. This paper reveals how policies are directing the individuals involved and their activities. There are questions over whose interests are intended to be served and the implications for pupils, parents, schools, communities and politicians.
Ultramarathon Plasma Metabolomics: Phosphatidylcholine Levels Associated with Running Performance
Authors: Høeg Tracy B. , Chmiel Kenneth , Warrick Alexandra E. , Taylor Sandra L. , Weiss Robert H.
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify plasma metabolites associated with superior endurance running performance. In 2016, participants at the Western States Endurance Run (WSER), a 100-mile (161-km) foot race, underwent non-targeted metabolomic testing of their post-race plasma. Metabolites associated with faster finish times were identified. Based on these results, runners at the 2017 WSER underwent targeted metabolomics testing, including lipidomics and choline levels. The 2017 participants’ plasma metabolites were correlated with finish times and compared with non-athletic controls. In 2016, 427 known molecules were detected using non-targeted metabolomics. Four compounds, all phosphatidylcholines (PCs) were associated with finish time (False Discovery Rate (FDR) < 0.05). All were higher in faster finishers. In 2017, using targeted PC analysis, multiple PCs, measured pre- and post-race, were higher in faster finishers (FDR < 0.05). The majority of PCs was noted to be higher in runners (both pre- and post-race) than in controls (FDR < 0.05). Runners had higher choline levels pre-race compared to controls (p < 0.0001), but choline level did not differ significantly from controls post-race (p = 0.129). Choline levels decreased between the start and the finish of the race (p < 0.0001). Faster finishers had lower choline levels than slower finishers at the race finish (p = 0.028).
Sustainability Science: A Paradigm in Crisis?
Authors: González-Márquez Iván , Toledo Víctor M.
Published: April 2020

The global socio-environmental crisis poses what is arguably the greatest challenge in the history of science. It has demanded an interdisciplinary effort in which thousands of scientists from around the world have rapidly articulated what is already recognized as a consolidated research field: Sustainability science [SS]. Considering the urgency of the matter, it is necessary to evaluate the progress so far achieved. How should this evaluation be carried out? This paper addresses this question taking into consideration some insights from the philosophy of science. In particular, it applies the conceptual framework developed by Thomas Kuhn to the study of scientific paradigms. It first reviews the development of SS, demonstrating that Kuhn’s model is followed step by step. The notion of problem-solving power is discussed as the main criterion for an evaluation of scientific paradigms. Next, several elements are presented suggesting that there is a general insufficiency of problem-solving power in SS. Furthermore, additional empirical data are considered early signs of a paradigm crisis. Subsequently, the way forward for SS is discussed. From Kuhn’s perspective, scientific progress is not only achieved by a steady accumulation of knowledge, but also by episodes of crises that precede radical qualitative leaps in which basic premises are modified. This paper concludes that the urgently needed progress in SS requires engaging in a critical revision of the fundamental claims upon which the field was constructed.
Attracted to or Locked In? Explaining Consumer Loyalty toward Airbnb
Authors: Kim Byoungsoo , Kim Daekil
Published: April 2020

In an increasingly complex and dynamic environment, understanding the fundamental mechanisms of customer loyalty toward Airbnb has become very appealing to both researchers and providers in recent years. Most prior studies on Airbnb have focused mainly on dedication-based mechanisms, such as consumer satisfaction or attitude. However, little is currently known about how the theoretical view for adapting dedication-based and constraint-based mechanisms establishes Airbnb consumer loyalty and affects by attributes, such as authentic experience, trust in Airbnb, and social benefits—that is, the vital predictors of affective commitment. It explores social benefits, relative attractiveness, and price fairness as the key antecedents of calculative commitment. This study identifies the relationship using a structural equation modeling method and empirical data collected from 156 Airbnb consumers who use it more than twice. The analysis results show that consumer loyalty toward Airbnb is shaped by dedication- and constraint-based mechanisms. The findings indicate that both affective and calculative commitments significantly affect customer loyalty in the context of Airbnb. Authentic experience, trust in Airbnb, and social benefits significantly affect affective commitment to Airbnb. While both social benefits and relative attractiveness play an important role in enhancing calculative commitment to Airbnb, price fairness is not significantly related to it. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are subsequently discussed.
Sustainable Innovation in Football Referee Training in Czech Republic
Authors: Ai Kun , Oldrich Racek , Tan Hai , Xu Peng
Published: April 2020

Professional football has been recently characterized by an increase in game speed and complexity. From this, it follows that football referees also need to improve their skills to keep up with players and adequately respond in various disputed situations. The purpose of this work is to increase the performance indicators of physical fitness and activity of referees during the annual cycle. Most referees prefer the game method. For a football referee or referee’s assistant during a game, physical activity is similar to that of runners/athletes. Football referees are engaged in performance that is more intense, as compared to their assistants, at the international level especially. Such conditions are close to extreme and are characterized by an intense physical load dictated by game duration. This study suggested using athletics in comprehensive sustainable training of football referees. As it turned out, athletics-based training significantly improved the motor activity of football referees.
Assessing the Sustainability of China’s Basic Pension Funding for Urban and Rural Residents
Authors: Sun Lanying , Su Changhao , Xian Xinghui
Published: April 2020

This paper uses an actuarial model to evaluate the effect of poverty alleviation policy on the sustainability of China’s basic pension funding for urban and rural residents (BPFUUR). Because of the poverty alleviation policy, China’s basic endowment insurance for urban and rural residents (BEIURR) has been given the responsibility of helping the poor through insurance and by increasing the income of the elderly. On the basis of summarizing the current situation of BEIURR, this paper simulated and predicted the impact of poverty alleviation policy on the short term (2020–2025) and medium term (2025–2050) sustainability of China’s BPFUUR. The results show that: (1) The sustainability of the fund will inevitably face challenges; (2) The per capita contribution level will be at a low level for a long time; (3) The birth tide brought by the two-child policy has a positive impact on the medium-term sustainability of the fund; (4) Poverty eradication mainly affects the short-term current deficit, but not the medium-term accumulated deficit; (5) The higher the payment, the better the sustainability of the funding in the short and medium term. According to the above results, this paper puts forward some countermeasures, such as insisting on family planning, optimizing the adjustment system for basic pension funds, and improving the treatment of basic pensions.
Catalysis Mediated by 2D Black Phosphorus Either Pristine or Decorated with Transition Metals Species
Authors: Vanni Matteo , Caporali Maria , Serrano-Ruiz Manuel , Peruzzini Maurizio
Published: April 2020

Among the novel class of mono-elemental two-dimensional (2D) materials, termed Xenes, phosphorene is emerging as a great promise for its peculiar chemical and physical properties. This review collects a selection of the recent breakthroughs that are related to the application of phosphorene in catalysis and electrocatalysis. Noteworthy, thanks to its intrinsic Lewis basic character, pristine phosphorene turned out to be more efficient and more selective than other non-metal catalysts, in chemical processes as the electroreduction of nitrogen to ammonia or the alkylation of nucleophiles with esters. Once functionalized with transition metals nanoparticles (Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag, Au), its catalytic activity has been evaluated in several processes, mainly hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Under visible light irradiation, it has shown a great improvement of the activity, demonstrating high potential as a photocatalyst.
Optimal System and Invariant Solutions of a New AKNS Equation with Time-Dependent Coefficients
Authors: Liu Na
Published: April 2020

The Lie point symmetries are reported by performing the Lie symmetry analysis to the Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Suger (AKNS) equation with time-dependent coefficients. In addition, the optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras is constructed. Based on this optimal system, several categories of similarity reduction and some new invariant solutions for the equation are obtained, which include power series solutions and travelling and non-traveling wave solutions.
αM-Conotoxin MIIIJ Blocks Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors at Neuromuscular Junctions of Frog and Fish
Authors: Rybin Matthew J. , O’Brien Henrik , Ramiro Iris Bea L. , Azam Layla , McIntosh J. Michael , Olivera Baldomero M. , Safavi-Hemami Helena , Yoshikami Doju
Published: April 2020

We report the discovery and functional characterization of αM-Conotoxin MIIIJ, a peptide from the venom of the fish-hunting cone snail Conus magus. Injections of αM-MIIIJ induced paralysis in goldfish (Carassius auratus) but not mice. Intracellular recording from skeletal muscles of fish (C. auratus) and frog (Xenopus laevis) revealed that αM-MIIIJ inhibited postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with an IC50 of ~0.1 μM. With comparable potency, αM-MIIIJ reversibly blocked ACh-gated currents (IACh) of voltage-clamped X. laevis oocytes exogenously expressing nAChRs cloned from zebrafish (Danio rerio) muscle. αM-MIIIJ also protected against slowly-reversible block of IACh by α-bungarotoxin (α-BgTX, a snake neurotoxin) and α-conotoxin EI (α-EI, from Conus ermineus another fish hunter) that competitively block nAChRs at the ACh binding site. Furthermore, assessment by fluorescence microscopy showed that αM-MIIIJ inhibited the binding of fluorescently-tagged α-BgTX at neuromuscular junctions of X. laevis, C. auratus, and D. rerio. (Note, we observed that αM-MIIIJ can block adult mouse and human muscle nAChRs exogenously expressed in X. laevis oocytes, but with IC50s ~100-times higher than those of zebrafish nAChRs.) Taken together, these results indicate that αM-MIIIJ inhibits muscle nAChRs and furthermore apparently does so by interfering with the binding of ACh to its receptor. Comparative alignments with homologous sequences identified in other fish hunters revealed that αM-MIIIJ defines a new class of muscle nAChR inhibitors from cone snails.
ERβ and NFκB—Modulators of Zearalenone-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Kowalska Karolina , Habrowska-Górczyńska Dominika Ewa , Domińska Kamila , Urbanek Kinga Anna , Piastowska-Ciesielska Agnieszka Wanda
Published: April 2020

Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) is commonly expressed in prostate cancer (PCa) cells and is associated with increased proliferation, metastases and androgen independence. Zearalenone (ZEA) is one of the most common mycotoxins contaminating food, which might mimic estrogens and bind to estrogen receptors (ERs). The ratio of androgens to estrogens in men decreases physiologically with age, and is believed to participate in prostate carcinogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the role of NFκB and ERβ in the induction of oxidative stress in human PCa cells by ZEA. As observed, ZEA at a dose of 30 µM induces oxidative stress in PCa cells associated with DNA damage and G2/M cell cycle arrest. We also observed that the inhibition of ERβ and NFΚB via specific inhibitors (PHTPP and BAY 117082) significantly increased ZEA-induced oxidative stress, although the mechanism seems to be different for androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cells. Based on our findings, it is possible that the activation of ERβ and NFΚB in PCa might protect cancer cells from ZEA-induced oxidative stress. We therefore shed new light on the mechanism of ZEA toxicity in human cells.
Anatomical Considerations When Treating Compensatory Hypertrophy of the Upper Part of the Masseter after Long-Term Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A Injections
Authors: Lee Kyu-Lim , Cho Hyun Jin , Bae Hyungkyu , Park Hyun Jin , Park Min Sun , Kim Hee-Jin
Published: April 2020

The masseter is the most targeted muscle when treating hypertrophy to produce a smooth face shape. Compensatory hypertrophy is a well known clinical sequela that occurs in botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) treatments and is limited to the lower part of the masseter. Based on the masseteric hypertrophy procedure, which targets a confined area, we predicted the possibility of compensatory hypertrophy occurring in the upper part of the masseter. If the patient complains about an unexpected result, additional injections must be performed, but the involved anatomical structures have not been revealed yet. The aim of this study was to identify the morphological patterns of the masseter. Deep tendons were observed in most specimens of the upper part of the masseter and mostly appeared in a continuous pattern (69.7%). The superficial and deep tendons could be classified into a simply connected form and forms surrounding part of the muscle. In 45.5% of cases there were tendon capsules that completely enclosed the muscle, which can interfere with how the injected toxin spreads. Interdigitation patterns in which the tendons could be identified independently between the muscles were present in 9.1% of cases. The present findings provide anatomical knowledge for use when injecting BoNT into the masseter.
An Appetite for Destruction: Detecting Prey-Selective Binding of α-Neurotoxins in the Venom of Afro-Asian Elapids
Authors: Harris Richard J. , Zdenek Christina N. , Harrich David , Frank Nathaniel , Fry Bryan G.
Published: April 2020

Prey-selective venoms and toxins have been documented across only a few species of snakes. The lack of research in this area has been due to the absence of suitably flexible testing platforms. In order to test more species for prey specificity of their venom, we used an innovative taxonomically flexible, high-throughput biolayer interferometry approach to ascertain the relative binding of 29 α-neurotoxic venoms from African and Asian elapid representatives (26 Naja spp., Aspidelaps scutatus, Elapsoidea boulengeri, and four locales of Ophiophagus hannah) to the alpha-1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric (active) site for amphibian, lizard, snake, bird, and rodent targets. Our results detected prey-selective, intraspecific, and geographical differences of α-neurotoxic binding. The results also suggest that crude venom that shows prey selectivity is likely driven by the proportions of prey-specific α-neurotoxins with differential selectivity within the crude venom. Our results also suggest that since the α-neurotoxic prey targeting does not always account for the full dietary breadth of a species, other toxin classes with a different pathophysiological function likely play an equally important role in prey immobilisation of the crude venom depending on the prey type envenomated. The use of this innovative and taxonomically flexible diverse assay in functional venom testing can be key in attempting to understanding the evolution and ecology of α-neurotoxic snake venoms, as well as opening up biochemical and pharmacological avenues to explore other venom effects.
Biological Activities of Alkaloids: From Toxicology to Pharmacology
Authors: Adamski Zbigniew , Blythe Linda L. , Milella Luigi , Bufo Sabino A.
Published: April 2020

Plants produce many secondary metabolites, which reveal biological activity [...]
A Proposal for Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection Into the Temporal Region in Chronic Migraine Headache
Authors: Kim Young-gun , Bae Jung-Hee , Kim Hyeyun , Wang Shuu-Jiun , Kim Seong Taek
Published: April 2020

Botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) injection for treating chronic migraine (CM) has developed into a new technique covering distinct injection points in the head and neck regions. The postulated analgesic mechanism implies that the injection should be administered to sensory nerves rather than to muscles. This study aimed to determine the topographical site of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) and to propose the effective injection points for treating CM. ATNs were investigated on 36 sides of 25 Korean cadavers. The anatomical structures of the ATN were investigated focusing on the temporal region. A right-angle ruler was positioned based on two clearly identifiable orthogonal reference lines based on the canthus and tragus as landmarks, and photographs were taken. The ATN appeared superficially in the anterosuperior region of the tragus. The nerve is located deeper than the superficial temporal artery. And it runs between the artery and the superficial temporal vein. In the superficial layer, it is divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The anterior division runs in a superior direction, while the posterior division runs in front of the ear and the several branches are distributed to the skin. We suggest that the optimal BTX-A injection points for CM are in the temporal region. The first point is about 2 cm anterior and 3 cm superior to two orthogonal reference lines defined based on the tragus and canthus, and the second point is about 4 cm superior to the first point. The third and fourth points are recommended about 2 cm superior to the first point, but respectively 1 cm anterior and posterior to it.
Effects of Nutrient Limitation on the Synthesis of N-Rich Phytoplankton Toxins: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Brandenburg Karen , Siebers Laura , Keuskamp Joost , Jephcott Thomas G. , Van de Waal Dedmer B.
Published: April 2020

Eutrophication has played a major role in the worldwide increase of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Higher input of key nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), can stimulate the growth of harmful algal species in freshwater, estuarine, and coastal marine ecosystems. Some HAB-forming taxa, particularly several cyanobacteria and dinoflagellate species, are harmful through the production of N-rich toxins that have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Here, we test how changes in nutrient availability affect N-rich toxin synthesis in cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates using a meta-analysis approach. Overall, N-rich toxin content showed an increase with P limitation, while it tended to decrease with N limitation, but we also observed substantial variation in responses both within and across genera and toxin groups. For instance, in response to N limitation, microcystin content varied from a 297% decrease up to a 273% increase, and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin content varied from a 204% decrease to an 82% increase. Cylindrospermopsin, produced by N2-fixing cyanobacteria, showed no clear direction in response to nutrient limitation, and cellular contents of this compound may thus vary independently of nutrient fluctuations. Our results confirm earlier reported stoichiometric regulation of N-rich phytoplankton toxins, showing increased toxin content with an increase in cellular N:P ratios, and vice versa. Thus, changes in N-rich toxin content largely follow the changes in relative cellular N content. Consequently, although nutrient limitation may limit bloom biomass and thereby bloom toxicity, our results warn that P limitation can cause accumulation of cellular toxins and thus lead to unexpected increases in bloom toxicity.
Identification of Toxoplasma Gondii Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) Activity and Molecular Immunoprotection against Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Zhang Zhenchao , Li Yuhua , Li Haoran , Song Xiaoxiao , Ma Zhongshan , Lu Haoran , Liu Shuyue , Zhao Yi , Tan Mengyao , Wang Shuai , Li Xiangrui
Published: April 2020

The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can change the behavior of rodents and cause neuropsychological symptoms in humans, which may be related to the change in neurotransmitter dopamine in the host brain caused by T. gondii infection. T. gondii tyrosine hydroxylase (TgTH) is an important factor in increasing the neurotransmitter dopamine in the host brain. In this study, the enzyme activity of TgTH catalytic substrate for dopamine production and the molecular characteristics of TgTH were identified. In order to amplify the open reading frame (ORF), the designing of the specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was on the basis of the TgTH sequence (GenBank Accession No. EU481510.1), which was inserted into pET-32a (+) for the expression of recombined TgTH (rTgTH). The sequence analysis indicated that the gene of TgTH directed the encoding of a 62.4-kDa protein consisting of 565 amino acid residues, which was predicted to have a high antigen index. The enzyme activity test showed that rTgTH and the soluble proteins extracted separately from T. gondii RH strain and PRU strain could catalyze the substrate to produce dopamine in a dose-dependent manner, and the optimum catalytic temperature was 37 °C. The result of the Western Blotting assay revealed that the rTgTH and the native TgTH extracted from somatic of T. gondii RH tachyzoite were successfully detected by the sera of mice infected with T. gondii and the rat serum after rTgTH immune, respectively. Immunofluorescence analysis using antibody against rTgTH demonstrated that the protein was expressed and located on the surface of T. gondii RH tachyzoite. Freund’s adjuvant was used to emulsify the rTgTH, which was subsequently applied to BALB/c mouse immune thrice on week 0, week 2, and week 4, respectively. The result of the animal challenge experiments showed an integral increase in IgG, IgG2a, IgG1, and IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL17 were as well significantly increased, and that the rTgTH vaccinated animals apparently had a prolonged survival time (14.30 ± 2.41) after infection with the RH strain of T. gondii compared with that of the non-vaccinated control animals, which died within 11 days. Additionally, in the rTgTH vaccination group, the number of brain cysts (1275 ± 224) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to the blank control group (2375 ± 883), and the size of the brain cysts in the animals immunized with rTgTH vaccination was remarkably smaller than that of the control mice. All the findings prove that TgTH played an important role in increasing the neurotransmitter dopamine in the host brain and could be used as a vaccine candidate antigen to mediate cell-mediated and humoral immunity.
Real Values of Local Resistance Coefficients during Water Flow through Welded Polypropylene T-Junctions
Authors: Kalenik Marek , Chalecki Marek , Wichowski Piotr
Published: April 2020

The paper presents results of investigation of the local resistance coefficient ζ in welded polypropylene T-junctions with the internal diameter 13.2 mm. The investigations were performed on an independently constructed test rig. The scope of investigations encompassed the T-junctions, which were (1) properly warmed up and properly pressed, (2) poorly warmed up and poorly pressed, or (3) excessively warmed up and excessively pressed. The local resistance coefficients ζ determined by measurements according to the standard PN-EN 1267:2012(Designation of the Polish Standard) were compared to those determined with use of the nomograms recommended for designing water supply systems and installations. Real values of the coefficients ζ, obtained in measurements were significantly higher than those read from the nomograms. The local resistance coefficients ζ in welded polypropylene T-junctions depend on water flow velocity and the manufacturing precision of a T-junction joint.
Apropriação da perspectiva teórica de Bourdieu na pesquisa em Educação em Ciências:
Authors: Rios Valéria Cristina , Valadão Dirlene Lima , Massi Luciana , Flôr Cristhiane Cunha
Published: April 2020

Este trabalho consiste em uma revisão bibliográfica de caráter analítico em relação aos aspectos quantitativos das apropriações da teoria de Pierre Bourdieu na pesquisa em Educação em Ciências. Para tanto, realizamos um levantamento da inserção da perspectiva bourdiana em trabalhos de congresso, periódicos, teses e dissertações da área de Educação em Ciências e classificamos as publicações encontradas quanto à forma de apropriação deste referencial. Partimos da hipótese de que existe uma tímida apropriação dessa teoria na área, mas que ela vivencia um período de ligeiro crescimento. As publicações encontradas foram classificadas em três categorias quanto à forma de apropriação deste referencial em Incidental, Conceitual Tópica e Modo de Trabalho. Dessa forma, foi localizado um total de 8136 trabalhos disponíveis online até 2014. Deste total apenas 120 trabalhos citavam o autor de diferentes formas: 55 de modo incidental, 31 como apropriação tópica, e, finalmente, 34 que se apropriam do modo de trabalho de Bourdieu. Como conclusão, verificamos a existência de uma tímida evolução ao longo dos anos no que tange a apropriação da perspectiva teórica de Bourdieu na pesquisa em Educação em Ciências.
Caracterização e construção de genogramas com o recurso eletrônico “Álbum de Família” das famílias com Doença de von Willebrand
Authors: Brandao André Iglesias , Carvalho Rinaig Yanniz Mendes de , Lopes Maria Sueli da Silva Namen , Vertchenko Stela Brener , Rodrigues Cibele Velloso
Published: April 2020

A atividade diminuída ou anormal do Fator de von Willebrand (FVW) resulta na coagulopatia doença de von Willebrand (DVW), um distúrbio hemorrágico hereditário comum e complexo. A pesquisa tratou-se de um estudo investigativo no qual foram avaliados dados demográficos, história familiar, clínicos e laboratoriais a partir de registros médicos e entrevistas de pacientes cadastrados com DVW em dois Hemocentros do Estado de Minas Gerais. O estudo envolveu 253 participantes, sendo 51,0% do gênero feminino. O sintoma hemorrágico mais comum em ambos os sexos foi epistaxe e, entre as mulheres, a menorragia. Alguns pacientes pertenciam a grupos familiares que foram agrupados em 84 famílias. Com a história familiar foram desenhados genogramas e realizadas análises laboratoriais para reclassificação do tipo da DVW em alguns casos.
Elementos da arquitetura italiana em Juiz de Fora:
Authors: Bertante Rafael de Souza , Silva Taís Macedo da , Pereira Tamara Nunes , Olender Marcos
Published: April 2020

Este artigo traz alguns resultados referentes ao projeto de pesquisa “A Contribuição da Imigração Italiana para a Produção Arquitetônica de Juiz de Fora” que tem, desde a sua própria constituição, a preocupação de colaborar com a criação de redes de pesquisa  interinstitucionais, visando o resgate da história da participação destes imigrantes na produção da paisagem urbana. As construções projetadas e/ou erguidas pelos imigrantes italianos, realizadas a partir das últimas décadas do séc XIX até meados do século XX, constituem parcela signinificativa  do patrimônio edificado de Juiz de Fora até os dias de hoje. A relevância para a realização deste estudo consiste em identificar com maior precisão os edifícios que constituem este patrimônio, visando buscar caminhos que permitam a sua efetiva preservação. Neste sentido, o presente projeto tem realizado o levantamento sistemático e a análise da documentação (escrita, iconográfica e arquitetônico-urbanística) existe sobre a vida e as obras dos construtores italianos radicados em Juiz de Fora no período já mencionado, demarcando a importância da sua atuação no desenvolvimento urbano e na formação da paisagem urbana, e

depoimentos dos descendentes destes imigrantes e o inventário das edificações ainda existentes, construídas tanto por estes imigrantes quanto por seus descendentes. A sistematização e análise deste material, conforme apresentado neste artigo contribuirá, decisivamente, para a preservação deste acervo, tanto documental quanto arquitetônico.
Espaços livres urbanos:
Authors: Colchete Filho Antonio Ferreira , Soares Júnior Wellington Araújo
Published: April 2020

Com o reconhecimento de que a cidade é o lugar majoritário das populações, a conservação das áreas verdes representa na atualidade não só uma oportunidade para salvaguarda do patrimônio ambiental, mas também para o reconhecimento dos espaços livres urbanos como fundamentais para a vida em sociedade. O objetivo principal desse artigo é destacar os marcos teóricos para o estudo dos espaços urbanos na contemporaneidade que se relacionam com as áreas de Arquitetura, Urbanismo e Paisagismo. A metodologia adotada procura extrair de uma ampla revisão bibliográfica a identificação de conceitos-chave como praça, parque, reserva ambiental e projeto urbano como subsídios teóricos para o estudo das cidades. Verifica-se que o estudo desses conceitos é uma forma de melhor compreender como as cidades se relacionam com o espaço urbano na contemporaneidade. Destaca-se que na articulação entre praças, parques, reservas e projeto urbano há a possibilidade de uma visão mais integrada e sistêmica para o conhecimento, a divulgação e a valorização do patrimônio social, cultural, turístico e ambiental que valorize mais as áreas verdes e espaços livres urbanos.
Estudo de diferentes classes de concreto para curvas de correlação nacionais para o ensaio de esclerometria
Authors: Oliveira Thaís Mayra de , Lage Elisa Coelho , Carvalho Vanessa Cristina Rezende
Published: April 2020

Os ensaios não destrutivos (END) constituem uma alternativa para a análise de estruturas de concreto, tanto para controle de qualidade, como na verificação de danos estruturais. Sua principal vantagem está no fato de que podem ser executados com a estrutura em uso e não impedem a utilização posterior. Mesmo que a maneira usual de se avaliar estruturas seja a extração de testemunhos, os ensaios não destrutivos se modernizaram e aumentaram seu grau de confiabilidade. O número de avaliações em estruturas de concreto por meio dos ensaios não destrutivos  tem sido cada vez maior, sendo a esclerometria o ensaio mais solicitado, devido à sua facilidade de execução. Porém, o equipamento utilizado, conhecido como esclerômetro de Schmidt, possui curvas de correlação entre índice esclerométrico e resistência à compressão que não devem ser adotadas, pois foram feitas com concretos característicos da origem do equipamento. Como a maioria das obras onde há solicitação de avaliação por meio de END não fez controle tecnológico, e algumas se encontram paralisadas por um período longo de tempo, o ensaio torna-se com baixa acurácia. Este trabalho pretende como primeira etapa de proposição para complementação a NBR 7584 (2012), estudar as dosagens para concretos em diferentes classes de resistência, a saber, C20 a C50 com variação de 5 em 5MPa, utilizadas na construção civil nacional, além de avaliação do índice esclerométrico e módulo de elasticidade. Nessa primeira etapa os resultados de resistência à compressão, esclerometria e módulo de elasticidade comprovaram a eficiência das dosagens.
Mulheres tradutoras das décadas de 30 e 40 do século XX
Authors: Rodrigues Fabiana Silva , Oliveira Maria Clara Castellões de
Published: April 2020

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo investigar a atuação de mulheres que atuaram como tradutoras nas décadas de 1930 e 1940 do século XX no Brasil, quando vigorou o governo de exceção de Getúlio Vargas, o Estado Novo (1937-1945). Os dados coletados permitiram concluir que as mulheres tiveram um papel expressivo no cenário da tradução literária nesse período, tendo contribuído sobremaneira para a mudança da principal língua de tradução no país do francês para o inglês.  Nesse sentido, ele vem preencher uma lacuna nos estudos sobre a história da Tradução no Brasil, auxiliando no resgate da memória de um período em que a atividade tradutória se avolumou no país.
Potencial de degradação dos compostos químicos adicionados à Portaria 2914/2011
Authors: Pereira Andrêssa Rezende , Bottrel Sue Ellen Costa , Pereira Renata de Oliveira
Published: April 2020

Na última revisão do padrão de potabilidade da água, que resultou na Portaria nº 2914/2011, alguns compostos químicos que podem causar danos à saúde humana foram acrescentados ou retirados. Dentre os compostos adicionados, escolheram-se onze agrotóxicos para a avaliação de sua remoção em processos do ciclo completo de tratamento de água, de acordo com as bibliografias nacional e internacional. Os onze agrotóxicos foram: aldicarbe, carbendazim, carbofurano, clorpirifós, diuron, mancozebe, metamidofós, parationa metílica, profenofós, tebuconazol e terbufós. A respeito das remoções nas etapas de clarificação do tratamento de ciclo completo da água, que contempla a coagulação/floculação, decantação e filtração, foi possível perceber que estes processos alcançam remoções variadas, chegando a eficiências acima de 60% para ocarbendazim e clorpirifós. Para os demais compostos, as eficiências de remoção apresentaram-se abaixo de 50%. Na etapa de oxidação com compostos clorados, tais como dióxido de cloro, hipoclorito de sódio, hipoclorito de cálcio e cloro gasoso, as remoções apresentaram valores desejáveis, acima de 70%, na maioria dos estudos verificados. Ressalta-se que ainda existem poucos estudos relacionados à remoção de agrotóxicos nos processos de tratamento de água, principalmente com relação às técnicas atualmente empregadas no Brasil, fazendo-se necessário o desenvolvimento de mais estudos na área.
Síntese e avaliação da atividade antileishmanial in vitro de bioisósteros do resveratrol
Authors: Silva Natália Prado da , Antinarelli Luciana Maria Ribeiro , Santos Juliana Alves dos , Silva Adilson David da , Meinel Raíssa Soares , Almeida Ayla das Chagas , Soares Rodrigo Pedro Pinto , Coimbra Elaine Soares
Published: April 2020

As leishmanioses são infecções causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania, responsáveis por altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade em todo mundo. O tratamento está restrito a um número limitado de fármacos com alta toxicidade, variabilidade na eficácia e alto custo. Neste trabalho foram sintetizados quatro bioisósteros do resveratrol que foram avaliados em formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis e L. braziliensis associadas à manifestação tegumentar da doença, além da citotoxicidade em macrófagos murinos. Dois dos compostos, 1a e 1b exibiram promissores resultados, com CI50 variando de 3,0 a 16,44 µM, e não apresentaram toxicidade em macrófagos peritoneais. O composto 1b exibiu o maior índice de seletividade (> 25) para ambas as espécies. Esses resultados indicam o potencial desta classe de compostos para o desenvolvimento de novos agentes antileishmaniais e estimulam a realização de estudos em amastigotas intracelulares e a avaliação do seu mecanismo de ação.
Tempo de despertar: Neurociências no Ensino Médio
Authors: Silva Isabela Ricardo da , Nogueira Rafaela Brandel , Silva Gabriel Aguiar da , Souza Vitor Rocha , Mármora Cláudia Helena Cerqueira
Published: April 2020

A Neurociência é definida como uma área interdisciplinar da ciência comumente associada à Biologia, cujo objeto de estudo é o sistema nervoso em todos os seus aspectos. Diante do número crescente de informações que têm sido divulgadas atualmente nas mídias em todo o mundo, buscamos questionar: como a Educação no atual Ensino Médio está incluindo assuntos originários da Biologia no panorama das Neurociências em sala de aula e como os estudantes  têm acesso a estes conteúdos fora das disciplinas curriculares. Este estudo traz a proposta de um trabalho multiplicador realizado por alunos do Ensino Médio, tendo como fonte de inspiração em seu título a obra Tempo de Despertar do neurologista Oliver Sacks. O objetivo foi conhecer e verificar se e por qual meio os estudantes de ensino médio têm acesso aos conteúdos de neurociências, além de proporcionar aos alunos das escolas participantes conhecimentos básicos sobre neurociências. Como metodologia foram aplicados questionários semiestruturados contendo perguntas sobre o conhecimento e o acesso aos conteúdos de neurociências em estudantes do ensino médio. Participaram da pesquisa 424 estudantes de quatro escolas da rede estadual de educação do estado de Minas Gerais, localizadas no município de Juiz de Fora cursando o 1º, 2º e 3º ano do ensino médio, sendo a maioria mulheres 55% (n=233) e do 2º ano do ensino médio 41% (n=172). Somente 65% trabalham e 44% (n= 188) ouviram falar em Neurociências, sendo 95% na mídia, 68% nas escolas e 67% na internet seguida de outras fonte menos significativas como escola, família e amigos, indicando que os conteúdos de neurociências  são obtidos via mídia, escola e internet. Pode-se concluir que a internet e a mídia são os veículos mais disseminadores da informação sobre neurociências.