bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disponibilidade térmica para diferentes culturas agrícolas em região de clima subtropical úmido obtida através da utilização de índice bioclimático
Authors: Andrade Aparecido Ribeiro de , Bereze Juliane , Santos Rosana Martins dos , Bednarz João Anésio
Published: November 2018

Existem vários sistemas de unidades bioclimáticas além dos graus-dia, embora sua utilização e limitação ainda sejam pouco conhecidas na agricultura contemporânea. Diante disso, este trabalho objetivou avaliar o desempenho do Índice Heliotérmico de Geslin (IHG) para diferentes culturas agrícolas difundidas em área de clima subtropical úmido, tendo como estudo de caso o município Guarapuava(PR). A comparação entre o IHG ideal em cada fase produtiva e o IHG efetivamente ocorrido durante as safras de 2008 a 2013 possibilitou identificar distintos níveis de influência da disponibilidade térmica para o cultivo agrícola na região. Os dados foram cedidos pelo Instituto Agronômico do Paraná – IAPAR e analisados através de estatística clássica, que serviu de base para a escolha do índice utilizado.
A estrutura espacial dos fragmentos de vegetação nativa da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Araguari em Minas Gerais
Authors: Dos Reis Laís Naiara Gonçalves , Nishiyama Luiz
Published: November 2018

Os elementos que compõem a paisagem (fragmentos e matriz) são objetos de estudo da Ecologia de Paisagens. Por meio das técnicas de geoprocessamento é possível analisar quantitativamente o tamanho, a forma, o número, o tipo e a configuração dos patches. A área de estudo dessa pesquisa é a Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Araguari-MG que está localizada na região do Triângulo Mineiro e Alto Paranaíba, na parte ocidental do estado de Minas Gerais, ocupando uma área de 22.146,23 km². As imagens utilizadas para extração das áreas de vegetação florestal nativa dessa bacia são do sensor OLI/Landsat 8 que apresenta resolução espacial de 30 metros. Como resultado, a área de estudo possui 149.521 unidades de fragmentos florestais de vegetação nativa, com no mínimo 900 m². As métricas em Ecologia de Paisagens avaliadas são referentes à forma, ao tamanho, à densidade de borda, ao comprimento da borda e à área central para cada classe de fragmento: muito pequeno, pequeno, médio e grande. O fragmento de vegetação nativa com maior área é a Unidade de Conservação de Galheiros.
O Canal do Linguado da Baía da Babitonga/SC: uma retrospectiva através da história e considerações sobre uma possível reabertura
Authors: Engel Fernanda , Böhm Renata Falck Storch , Silveira Milena Dos Santos , Dell’Agnolo Ellen Cristina , Polette Marcus
Published: November 2018

O Canal do Linguado encontra-se fechado definitivamente desde 1935 e este bloqueio trouxe para a região inúmeros problemas. Diante deste cenário, o presente estudo teve por objetivo realizar um levantamento de trabalhos sobre o Canal do Linguado e proceder uma análise e discussão desses dados sob uma perspectiva histórica. A partir de uma análise de dados, os impactos ambientais foram agrupados em meio físico, socioeconômico e biótico. A maioria dos impactos observados foi de natureza negativa ou adversa, e apenas dois foram os impactos considerados positivos em decorrência do fechamento deste Canal. A contribuição deste estudo pautou-se no levantamento de informações sobre o fechamento do Canal do Linguado, assim como evidenciou a falta de estudos específicos nesta área e a falta de correlação destes dados.
Transformações no mercado de trabalho catarinense: a realidade da juventude
Authors: Theis Ivo Marcos , Krajevski Luis Claudio , Lasta Tatiane Thaís , Strelow Daniel Rodrigo
Published: November 2018

O desemprego e a informalidade tornaram-se elementos fundamentais para a sobrevivência do modelo vigente e a juventude é um dos segmentos que mais sofre com estes males. A década de 1990 é marcada pelo advento das políticas neoliberais, as quais promoveram diversas transformações no mundo do trabalho. Como consequência o Brasil e o Estado de Santa Catarina também sofreram os efeitos destas transformações. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é construir um breve diagnóstico sobre o jovem, o mercado de trabalho e sua realidade no Estado de Santa Catarina. Aqui se privilegiou a ideia de como a juventude, ou uma grande parte dela, se depara frente às expressivas dificuldades quando de sua inserção no mercado de trabalho. Estas dificuldades se revelam nos índices de desemprego, na informalidade, nas baixas remunerações, entre outras formas de precarização existentes nas relações de trabalho.
Proposta de zoneamento geoambiental para o município de Caraguatatuba - SP
Authors: Oliveira Lima Cibele , De Oliveira Regina Celia
Published: November 2018

O município de Caraguatatuba sempre apresentou diversidade de uso e ocupação da terra, que ao longo dos anos resultou em diversos níveis de impactos modificando a dinâmica natural. Esse artigo propõe a implementação de um padrão espacial que leve em consideração uma estrutura especial de ordenamento territorial, e seja coerente com as potencialidades e limitações locais. Considerando a necessidade de uso dos recursos e serviços, desde que ocorram sempre de forma racional, buscou-se a estabilidade da dinâmica dos sistemas, através da limitação da ação dos processos ambientais degradantes. A partir da metodologia de Geoecologia da Paisagem proposta por Rodriguez et. al. (2007) e dos princípios da legislação aplicada no município é apresentada uma proposta de Geoambiental em escala 1:50.000.
Modelagem dinâmica espacial da expansão da agricultura em Campos Novos-SC
Authors: Macedo Rodrigo Campos , Almeida Cláudia Maria , Santos João Roberto
Published: November 2018

Modelos computacionais baseados no paradigma de autômatos celulares foram concebidos recentemente para a simulação de mudanças de uso e cobertura da terra, a exemplo de expansão agrícola, processos de desmatamento, crescimento urbano, entre outros. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de aplicar e avaliar um modelo de autômatos celulares para simular mudanças de uso e cobertura da terra vinculadas à expansão agrícola no município de Campos Novos/SC. As simulações foram conduzidas para o período de 2003 a 2012, sendo as simulações de 2002 a 2008 retrospectivas, e as simulações de 2009 a 2012 prospectivas. A aplicação do modelo revelou que houve expansão agrícola durante o período analisado, em detrimento de ambientes nativos, tais como matas e campos serranos. Os resultados alcançados revelam o potencial da aplicação dessa classe de modelos para o estudo e a predição de mudanças de cobertura e uso da terra.
Avaliação do método de levantamento morfométrico em bacias hidrográficas através da estatística multivariada
Authors: Soares Marcia Regina Gomes de Jesus , Oka-Fiori Chisato , Silveira Claudinei Taborda da , Kaviski Eloy
Published: November 2018

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo principal validar o método de levantamento morfométrico em bacias hidrográficas através da estatística multivariada. Para isso foram consideradas variáveis fisiográficas que foram confrontadas com os dados de vazão com o objetivo de conhecer as variáveis principais e determinantes no comportamento hidrológico. O estudo foi aplicado em todo o complexo hidrográfico do Ivaí, subdividido em 14 sub-bacias, de acordo com as estações de coletas de vazões e com características hidrológicas distintas a fim de comparação. Os indicadores fisiográficos foram confrontados com os dados hidrológicos de vazão e pluviosidade com séries históricas de um período de vinte e sete anos. O resultado conclusivo foi a confirmação da eficiência do modelo de análise.
Sintomatologia depressiva em idosos e a influência da atividade física em um programa de extensão
Authors: Possamai Vanessa Dias , Da Silva Priscilla Cardoso , Rodriguez de Vargas Amanda Suely , Dutra Natanielle Silva , Gonçalves Andréa Kruger
Published: November 2018

O objetivo o estudo foi analisar o efeito de um programa de extensão universitária na sintomatologia depressiva de idosos. Foi um estudo descritivo de intervenção. A amostra foi composta por 71 idosos de ambos os sexos participantes de um programa de extensão com ênfase em atividade física. Os indivíduos foram divididos em grupos de acordo com a faixa etária: G1 -60 a 69 anos (n=27), G2 - 70 a 79 anos (n=34), G3 - 80 anos ou mais (n=10). Utilizou-se o instrumento Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15. Os dados foram coletados em dois momentos, no início das atividades (avaliação 1) e após nove meses de intervenção (avaliação 2). Os três grupos reduziram a pontuação do GDS após a intervenção, indicando melhora na sintomatologia depressiva. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o benefício da realização de atividades físicas, especialmente quando realizadas em grupos, sendo um fator positivo na prevenção da depressão em idosos.
The Mainz Profile Algorithm (MAPA)
Authors: Beirle Steffen , Dörner Steffen , Donner Sebastian , Remmers Julia , Wang Yang , Wagner Thomas
Published: November 2018

Abstract. The Mainz profile algorithm MAPA derives vertical profiles of aerosol extinction and trace gas concentrations from MAX-DOAS measurements of slant column densities under multiple elevation angles. This manuscript presents (a) a detailed description of the MAPA algorithm v0.98, including the flagging scheme for the identification of questionable or dubious results, (b) results for the CINDI-2 campaign, and (c) sensitivity studies on the impact of a-priori assumptions such as flag thresholds. MAPA is based on a profile parameterization combining box profiles, which also might be lifted, and exponential profiles. The profile parameters yielding best match to the MAX-DOAS observations are derived by a Monte Carlo approach, making MAPA much faster than previous parameter-based inversion schemes, and directly providing distributions of profile parameters. The AODs derived with MAPA for the CINDI-2 campaign show good agreement to AERONET if a scaling factor of 0.8 is applied for O4, and the respective NO2 and HCHO surface mixing ratios match those derived from coincident long-path DOAS measurements. MAPA results are robust to modifications of the a-priori MAPA settings within plausible limits.
Simultaneous Detection of C2H6, CH4 and
δ13C-CH4 Using Optical Feedback Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy in the Mid-Infrared Region: Towards Application for Dissolved Gas Measurements
Authors: Lechevallier Loic , Grilli Roberto , Kerstel Erik , Romanini Daniele , Chappellaz Jérôme
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Simultaneous measurement of C2H6 and CH4 concentrations, and of the δ13C-CH4 isotope ratio is demonstrated using a cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy technique in the mid-IR region. The spectrometer is compact and has been designed for field operation. It relies on optical-feedback assisted injection of 3.3-μm radiation from an Interband Cascade Laser (ICL) into a V-shaped high-finesse optical cavity. A minimum absorption coefficient of 2.8 × 10−9 cm−1 is obtained in a single scan (0.1 s) over 0.7 cm−1. Precisions of 3 ppbv, 11 ppbv, and 0.08 ‰ for C2H6, CH4, and δ13C-CH4, respectively, are achieved after 400 s of integration time. Laboratory calibrations and tests of performance are reported here. They show the potential for the spectrometer to be embedded in a sensor probe for in situ measurements in ocean waters, which could have important applications for the understanding of the source and fate of hydrocarbons from the seabed and in the water column.
Silicon cycled by tropical forest trees: effects of species, elevation and bedrock on Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia
Authors: Nakamura Ryosuke , Ishizawa Hidehiro , Wagai Rota , Suzuki Shizuo , Kitayama Kanehiro , Kitajima Kaoru
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Plant species differ in degrees of silicon (Si) uptake and accumulation, and may differentially influence biogeochemical cycles of Si, possibly in interaction with other environmental factors. Here, we report how patterns of Si cycling by vegetation differ with species composition, elevation and bedrock types for species-rich tropical forests on Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo. We used eight forest monitoring plots established in 1995 at four altitudes (700, 1700, 2700 and 3100 m above sea level) on two geological substrates (Si-rich acidic sedimentary and less Si-rich ultrabasic igneous rock), where tree species composition, abundance, biomass and litterfall had been monitored. For live leaves of 71 dominant tree species (total relative basal area > 60 % in each plot) and leaf litter collected in traps, Si concentration was determined after alkaline extraction. Si availability in the upper 10 cm of mineral soil was determined as Si dissolved to water after shaking overnight. Tree species with high leaf Si concentrations occurred mostly in the lowest elevation plots. The community-mean Si concentration in live leaves, as well as Si concentration in leaf litter, decreased with increasing elevation. The estimated annual flux of leaf litter mass and Si also decreased with increasing elevation. Leaf and litter Si concentrations showed no difference between the two bedrock types without interaction with elevation. Due to large turnovers of species composition with elevation and bedrock types, most species occurred only in one plot. For 11 species that occurred at two or three plots, only one species showed a weakly significant difference in leaf Si concentration between bedrock types. Surface soil Si availability was greater at lower elevation plots and differed with bedrock types only at 1700 m. This pattern was consistent with a hypothesis that Si input via litter in the form of plant opal, rather than bedrock types, should influence the soluble Si in the upper soil horizons. These results suggest that Si cycling by vegetation is more active in lower elevation forests regardless of bedrock types, most likely because Si accumulating species are more abundant in lowland tropical forests.
Use an idealized protocol to assess the nesting procedure in regional climate
modelling
Authors: Li Shan , Li Laurent , Le Treut Hervé
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Newtonian relaxation allowing RCM to follow GCM is a widely used technique for climate downscaling and regional weather forecasting. A thorough assessment on effects of the relaxation procedure in an idealized framework is presented in this paper for both synoptic variability and long-term mean climate. LMDz is a global atmospheric general circulation model that can be configured as a regional model if the outside domain of the focused region is applied with a relaxation. It thus plays the role of both GCM and RCM in this paper. Same physical parameterization and identical dynamical configuration are kept to ensure a rigorous comparison between the two models. The experimental set-up that can be referred to as “Master (GCM) versus Slave (RCM)” considers the GCM as the reference to assess the behavior of RCM. A further simulation with RCM in a higher resolution configuration allows isolating the effect of relaxation procedure from that of mesh refinement. In terms of mean climate in GCM and RCM, there are noticeable differences, not only in the border areas, but also within the domain. In terms of synoptic variability, there is a general spatial resemblance and temporal concomitance between the two models. But there is a dependence on variables, seasons, spatiotemporal scales and spatial mode of atmospheric circulation. Winter/Summer has the most/least resemblance between the RCM and the GCM. A better similarity is noticed when atmospheric circulations manifested on large scales. No-correlation cases can be remarked when the dominant circulation of the region is at a small scale.
Managing Fragmentation between International Trade and Investment Law and Global Priorities for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in Food and Alcohol
Authors: Zhou Suzanne You
Published: November 2018

This article examines three ways in which instruments developed by international health organizations might be used to manage fragmentation between health and international trade and investment law in the context of regulating food and alcohol as noncommunicable disease risk factors. These are: by modifying or overriding trade and investment obligations, affecting interpretation and fact finding, and establishing cooperative inter-institutional processes. The article assesses the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches for managing fragmentation under the rules of treaty interpretation and dispute settlement. It argues that while much of the discussion of fragmentation between trade and health focuses on treaty interactions, many of the actual uses of health instruments are not necessarily dependent on their formal legal status. It then proposes several features of international instruments that might strengthen or support these uses, whether through binding or through non-binding instruments.
Some Effects of English Loanword Adaptation into SiLozi
Authors: Sitali-Mubanga Georgina Nandila
Published: November 2018

This study under linguistics, sought to examine the Morphophonological effects of the English loanword adaptation into SiLozi a lingua franca of the Western province of Zambia which is a media of instruction in grades one to three for systematisation. Like many African languages, SiLozi does not have the potential to give equivalents to words of English origin unless through borrowing. Schools being the pivot of development, there was an inconsistency in the same education system concerning the adaptation of English loanwords. The study was carried out in selected primary schools of Mongu district in Zambia. The data were collected with the use of voice recorders during on-going lessons for grades one to three in Creative and Technology Studies, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and in SiLozi subjects in order to capture all English loanwords used in the SiLozi medium of instruction. The main results revealed that feature changing, deletion, insertion and metathesis phonological rules were applied on the English terms in order to nativise them.
Transformational Learning in Higher Education Settings: A Case Study of “Teaching Teachers to Teach”
Authors: Hidalgo Sonya , Koebernik Mark , Williams Kathlene
Published: November 2018

Transformational learning (TL) theory posits that adult students experience a disorienting dilemma and then engage in critical self-reflection (Mezirow, 1997). University faculty are often not pursuant toward improving andragogy skills, including utilizing TL. The purpose of this study is to determine if student achievement would increase if higher education faculty were trained to be better teachers in addition to being experts in their chosen field.
Modelagem matemática do tempo de vida de baterias de Lítio Íon Polímero utilizando modelos elétricos combinados e genéricos
Authors: Binelo Marcia De Fatima Brondani , Sausen Airam Teresa Zago Romcy , Sausen Paulo Sérgio
Published: November 2018

Neste trabalho é apresentada a análise do desempenho de dois modelos elétricos, o modelo combinado Chen e Rincón-Mora e o modelo genérico Battery, que são aplicados na modelagem matemática do tempo de vida de baterias de Lítio Íon Polímero. Os modelos são submetidos a um mesmo cenário de simulação, utilizando a mesma metodologia para a estimação dos seus parâmetros empíricos, que é baseada na análise visual de curvas de descarga obtidas experimentalmente. Para a validação dos modelos é considerado o mesmo conjunto de dados, composto de perfis de descarga constantes e variáveis, o que torna esse processo mais realista. Os experimentos são realizados em uma plataforma de testes, e os modelos são implementados na ferramenta computacional Matlab/Simulink (Student Suite). Os resultados, analisados a partir da comparação entre os tempos de vida simulados e os tempos de vida experimentais, mostram que ambos modelos são acurados, apresentando erros médios inferiores a 2%. No entanto, o modelo Battery apresenta melhor desempenho médio e possuí um processo de parametrização mais simples quando comparado ao modelo Chen e Rincón-Mora.
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm's 100 most significant manuscripts: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Hughes Daniel , Hughes Ioan , GMT Powell Arfon , Al-Sarireh Bilal
Published: November 2018

Aims: The aim of this bibliometric analysis was to identify the main topics and publications that have enhanced our understanding and influenced the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).
Methods: The Thompson Reuters Web of Science database was searched using the terms 'Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm', or 'IPMN' to identify all English language manuscripts for the study. The 100 most cited articles were further analyzed by journal, topic, year, author and institution.
Results: Results: Total 2,833 eligible manuscripts were identified. The median (range) citation number was 129 (93–1006). The most cited paper presented consensus guidelines regarding the management of IPMN (1006 citations). The Annals of Surgery published the highest number of manuscripts (n = 13) and subsequently had the highest number of citations (n = 2889). The USA published most manuscripts within the top 100 (n = 46). The most discussed topic was IPMN management (n = 29), incorporating diagnosis and surgery. The second most commonly discussed topic was histology (n = 18).
Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis highlights how advances in the histological evaluation of IPMN have influenced current management strategies for IPMN. This manuscript highlights the most cited and influential references related to IPMN and serves as a guide to the most popular IPMN research themes.
La CONAMURI: resistencia de mujeres rurales e indígenas en Paraguay
Authors: Ramos Marco Enrique Gonzalez
Published: November 2018

La Coordinadora Nacional de Organización de Mujeres Trabajadoras, Rurales e Indígenas (CONAMURI) es una organización autónoma de mujeres que actúa de forma independiente al movimiento campesino e indígena de Paraguay. Entender por qué ellas decidieron construir un espacio propio para luchar por sus reivindicaciones así como la constitución de género, clase y etnia como base de su organización son claves que permiten conocer el impacto de los ejes de desigualdad de nuestra sociedad que se entrecruzan en ellas. La teoría feminista y la poscolonial, con aportes desde la perspectiva interseccional, son las herramientas de análisis utilizadas a fin de lograr una visión multicultural necesaria para comprender el contexto de la lucha de estas mujeres indígenas y campesinas. Palabras-clave: Mujeres Campesinas e Indígenas – Teoría Feminista –Teoría Poscolonial – Interseccionalidad – Paraguay.
Micropolíticas de exclusão: as dificuldades no acesso e permanência das pessoas trans na educação
Authors: Oliveira André Lucas Guerreiro
Published: November 2018

Pretende-se discutir neste artigo as dificuldades que as pessoas trans apresentam para o acesso e a permanência nos ambientes educacionais. É de amplo conhecimento que a transfobia – violência, preconceito e discriminação que as pessoas trans sofrem – é causadora de grandes dificuldades e desafios na vida destas pessoas, em todos os espaços de convivência, e não seria diferente nas instituições de ensino. Infelizmente, na escola também se aprende e ensina como reproduzir preconceitos e desrespeito às diferenças. O ambiente escolar e o universitário muitas vezes chegam a ser tão hostis às pessoas trans que é frequente a desistência precoce dos estudos. Ainda hoje (mesmo que haja avanços) é incomum a cena de uma pessoa trans que concluiu o ensino superior; ao ponto de que a notícia de uma mulher ou um homem trans finalizando uma pós- graduação, ganha enorme repercussão e notoriedade principalmente nos meios de divulgação nas mídias digitais, como as redes sociais. Neste sentido, o trabalho almeja problematizar estas dificuldades denominando- as como micropolíticas de exclusão, a partir de um referencial foucaultiano. Tais micropolíticas são produzidas nos espaços educacionais e geram desconforto e adversidades para as pessoas trans, obrigando-as muitas vezes a abandonarem os estudos. Salienta-se que se existem poucas políticas de acesso, as políticas para a permanência ainda são incipientes e precárias. Palavras-Chave: Pessoas trans. Educação. Acesso e permanência.
The Role of Stock Market Development in Influencing the Firms Performance: A Study Based on Pakistan Stock Market
Authors: Sulong Sophee , Saleem Qasim , Ahmed Zeeshan
Published: November 2018

The study aims to examine the role of stock market development in influencing the performance of non financial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2001 to 2017. Stock market development is a foremost issue of debate nowadays in emerging and developing economies. The theories and empirical studies strongly refer that stock market development is a tool to mobilize the savings and investment to promote the industrialization and firms performance. This study is an effort to establish the empirical relationship between stock market development and firm’s performance. Three indicators of stock market development like stock market volatility,stock market liquidity and stock market liquidity are used for assessing the book and market performance of firms. For this purpose two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator was employed in a dynamic panel model for empirical testing of hypothesis. The findings indicates that stock market volatility is a significant factor which which attempts to decrease the firm performance. On the other hand, stock market capitalization and stock market liquidity significantly causes the increase in firm firm performance.
Performance of Textile and Apparel Companies Listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors: Gajdka Jerzy , Schabek Tomasz
Published: November 2018

The article presents the performance of textile and apparel companies listed on the Polish stock exchange from the market perspective based on a sample of financial data. The data are used to compute systematic risk measures (betas) for two different time intervals, to evaluate the risk of an equally weighted portfolio made up of the selected companies and to compare the portfolio’s Sharpe ratio with the broad market index and small companies’ index. To compare the selected companies’ stocks with the whole economy and non-public companies, DuPont analysis is employed. The research results indicate that the listed textile and apparel companies outperform non-public companies in terms of fundamental financial results as well as capital market investment results. The risk of individual stocks is usually relatively low. Also the portfolio of the selected companies has been found to have better investment properties compared with the general market and small stocks index in all years of analysis.
Experimental and Numerical Simulation of the Tensile Behaviour of a Biaxial Warp-knitted Composite
Authors: Gao Xiaoping , Yang Xiaori , Li Danxi , Li Yonggui
Published: November 2018

In this paper a composite reinforced with biaxial warp-knitted fabric and epoxy resin was manufactured by applying vacuum assisted resin transfer moldings (VARTM). The quasi- -static tensile behaviour was experimentally tested in 0° and 90° directions, respectively. A finite element model of biaxial warp-knitted composites was developed on a meso-scale. The tensile behaviour of the composites was numerical simulated and compared with the experimental results. It showed that there is an approximate agreement between experimental and numerical results. There are maximum errors sum of squares of 14.52% and 33.29%. The finite element model of biaxial warp-knitted composites has higher accuracy, which can be used to study the static and dynamic mechanical properties.
Surface Properties of Polymeric Composites with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Ziąbka Magdalena , Dziadek Michał
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the surface properties of polymeric composites and the osteoblastic cell behaviour set in direct contact with the biomaterials tested. The surface properties were evaluated before and after 6-month incubation in an in vitro environment. The composite materials were prepared by means of extrusion and injection moulding. Three commercially available thermoplastic polymers (ABS (poly)acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) were used as composite matrices. Antibacterial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were added as a modifying phase. Surface properties of the materials tested, such as: wettability, roughness and microstructure, were determined. Furthermore the morphology of Saos-2 human osteoblastic cells in direct contact with the composite materials was assessed after the 7-day culture. The addition of silver nanoparticles caused minor changes in the wettability and roughness values. As light modification, the silver nanoparticles influenced the microstructure. The osteoblasts displayed the proper morphology and they evenly settled on the surface of the pure polymer and composite materials, which indicated the material cytocompatibility.
Fish Collagen – Molecular Structure After Thermal Treatment
Authors: Paprzycka Małgorzata , Scheibe Błażej , Jurga Stefan
Published: November 2018

Modern medicine widely uses exogenous collagen as a good material for tissue regeneration, also as a natural substrate for cell attachment and proliferation, used to create dressings and to support the treatment of burn and diabetic wounds, or finally as a source of amino acids in the form of a dietary supplement. Collagen is a safe material that has high biocompatibility and biodegradability as well as good cell adhesion. Due to the possibility of transferring Creutzfeld-Jacob’s disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) from animals to the human body, interest in collagen from fish is currently increasing. The collagen we examined was derived from the skin of the silver carp fish (Hypophtalmichthys molitrix) and was obtained by the method of hydration in an aqueous lactic acid solution. The topography of the test sample was performed with the AFM method, showing its fibrillar structure with dimensions equivalent to those given in iterature. Raman spectroscopy was used to study fish collagen using a Renishaw Ramanscope with a helium-neon laser at a wavelength of 633 nm. Analysis of Raman spectra allowed to determine the content of amino acids in collagen, as well as glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. It also showed the native nature of the material at 20 °C. The partial renaturation of the secondary structure of this material heated to about 85 °C and cooled was also proved. Raman spectroscopy has been presented as an effective method for testing biopolymers.
Mechanical Characterisation of Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Plastics with Defined Defects
Authors: Ashir Moniruddoza , Bardl Georg , Hahn Lars , Nocke Andreas , Cherif Chokri
Published: November 2018

A steadily increasing application of fibre-reinforced plastics in the field of lightweight construction has been observed in the course of the past two decades. Currently a major challenge in the growing high technology market is the quality assurance of manufactured fibre-reinforced plastic components. During different stages in the manufacturing process of fibre-reinforced plastics, defects of different types and sizes are enclosed in them, exerting a destructive influence on the performance of fibre-reinforced plastics in various practical applications in terms of strength, stiffness and brittleness. Thus the aim of this research project was to investigate the effect of defined local defects on the mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural and impact properties, of fibre-reinforced plastics, in particular carbon fibre-reinforced plastics. Results show that these mechanical properties depend significantly on the type and size of defect.
Analysis of the Fibroin Solution State in Calcium Chloride/Water/Ethanol for Improved Understanding of the Regeneration Process
Authors: Ngo Ha-Thanh , Bechtold Thomas
Published: November 2018

Shaping of fibroin protein from Bombyx mori from calcium chloride/water/ethanol solution is of high interest for the manufacturing of biocompatible structures. Potentiometric titration experiments of the dissolved state permit new insight into the solution state of fibroin as a basis for improved regeneration. Titration experiments and infrared spectroscopy of the solution state support the model of an ion-rich hydration layer and interaction of the solvent with charged and polar groups of the fibroin, rather than through formation of defined calcium complexes. The potentiometric titration curves indicate the formation of calcium complexes at pH values above 9, most probably through involvement of basic amino acids and phenolic groups of tyrosine. After regeneration by the addition of methanol, the regenerated protein was characterised by FTIR, nitrogen and calcium analysis. The analysis of supernatants for their residual protein content indicated minor losses of protein, most probably low molecular weight proteins. The results contribute to an improved understanding of the solution state as a basis for larger scale regeneration, e.g. for the coating of textile fibres with regenerated fibroin.
Richness of Dendrocephalus (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) in Brazil with the description of two new species
Authors: Rabet Nicolas , Lacau Sébastien , Bozelli Reinaldo L.
Published: November 2018

We present an overview of the morphological diversity and geographical distribution of the anostracan genus Dendrocephalus Daday, 1908, and describe two new species: D. aranai sp. nov. from Jequitinhonha in the state of Minas Gerais and D. xikrini sp. nov. from the Carajás Mountains (Serra dos Carajás) in the state of Pará. These species have important similarities to D. goiasensis Rabet & Thiéry, 1996 and D. thieryi Rabet, 2006, respectively, but differ from them and each other through a combination of characters that are essentially unique to the endopods, and frontal appendage branch 2A and branch 2D. We also partly redescribe D. carajaensis Rogers, Gomes & Vieira, 2012, which shows a particular intra-populational variability in branch 2A and 2D III of the frontal appendage, a type of polymorphism that was also recently observed in D. orientalis Rabet & Thiéry, 1996 and which must now be taken into account in taxonomy. In terms of the distribution of species of Dendrocephalus in Brazil, we suggest that several other species are probably present in the Amazonian, Cerrado and Pantanal Biomes, which remain largely unexplored. A new taxonomic key for the identification of males of the Brazilian species is provided.
Multi-protein bridging factor 1(Mbf1), Rps3 and Asc1 prevent stalled ribosomes from frameshifting
Authors: Wang Jiyu , Zhou Jie , Yang Qidi , Grayhack Elizabeth J
Published: November 2018

Reading frame maintenance is critical for accurate translation. We show that the conserved eukaryotic/archaeal protein Mbf1 acts with ribosomal proteins Rps3/uS3 and eukaryotic Asc1/RACK1 to prevent frameshifting at inhibitory CGA-CGA codon pairs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutations in RPS3 that allow frameshifting implicate eukaryotic conserved residues near the mRNA entry site. Mbf1 and Rps3 cooperate to maintain the reading frame of stalled ribosomes, while Asc1 also mediates distinct events that result in recruitment of the ribosome quality control complex and mRNA decay. Frameshifting occurs through a +1 shift with a CGA codon in the P site and involves competition between codons entering the A site, implying that the wobble interaction of the P site codon destabilizes translation elongation. Thus, eukaryotes have evolved unique mechanisms involving both a universally conserved ribosome component and two eukaryotic-specific proteins to maintain the reading frame at ribosome stalls.
Hybrid InSe Nanosheets and MoS2 Quantum Dots for High‐Performance Broadband Photodetectors and Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Ulaganathan Rajesh Kumar , Yadav Kanchan , Sankar Raman , Chou Fang Cheng , Chen Yit‐Tsong
Published: November 2018

Hybrid structures‐based phototransistors are intensively studied recently to achieve high‐performance optoelectronic devices. The hybridization of 2D materials and quantum dots (QDs) is one of the ideal platforms for photodetection applications with the merits of high detection sensitivity and wide wavelength coverage. The broadband absorption of a hybrid device stems from various absorbers with multiple bandgaps to create high photocurrent from an efficient exciton generation mechanism under illumination. Here, a new optoelectronic hybrid device of an indium selenide (InSe) nanosheets‐based phototransistor is introduced decorated with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) QDs to possess the photoresponsivity (Rλ) of 9304 A W−1, which is ≈103 times higher than Rλ ≈ 12.3 A W−1 of the previously reported InSe photodetector. The escalated Rλ of this hybrid photodetector is due to the additional injection of photoexcited charge carriers from MoS2 QDs to the InSe phototransistor. Finally, the photovoltaic performance of this MoS2/InSe hybrid device is investigated. The open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and short‐circuit current density (Jsc) are determined to be 0.52 V and 15.6 mA cm−2, respectively, rendering the photovoltaic efficiency of 3.03%. The development of this MoS2/InSe hybrid phototransistor with high device performance and wide wavelength photodetection will bring a new type of optoelectronic applications in the future.
Decolonial Pedagogy in Community Psychology: White Students Disrupting White Innocence via a Family Portrait Assignment
Authors: Fernández Jesica Siham
Published: November 2018

A decolonizing standpoint in community psychology is discussed in relation to the Family Portrait Assignment—a pedagogical tool developed and implemented to facilitate white students’ decolonial thinking. The Family Portrait Assignment contributes to the limited of decolonial pedagogical tools in community psychology. Through a critical discourse analysis of student's essays, I discuss how decolonial thinking, including a critical sociohistorical examination of colonialism, racism and whiteness, was facilitated. Decoloniality as the disruption of white innocence, an ideological construct embedded within systems of power that sustain structures of whiteness, guides the analysis of student's essays. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the Family Portrait Assignment facilitated white student's decolonial thinking, specifically their process of engaging with and disrupting white innocence. A discussion of decoloniality in community psychology pedagogy, theory, research and action concludes this paper.
Edwards Sapien 3 transcatheter aortic valve implantation for management of severe aortic regurgitation in a teenage patient with corrected atrioventricular septal defect and progressive left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Lehner Anja , Herrmann Florian E. , Mehilli Julinda , Haas Nikolaus A.
Published: November 2018

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is mostly performed in elderly patients with severely calcified aortic valves. There are few reports about its use for pure aortic regurgitation, few reports about its use in adolescent patients and to the best of our knowledge no report about the use of an Edwards Sapien valve in the aortic position in an underage patient after surgically corrected congenital heart disease (CHD). Decompensation of a complex CHD can be difficult to manage and may require unusual solutions. We report a case of a teenage patient presenting with progressive aortic regurgitation and deterioration of left ventricular function after multiple surgical procedures for an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). As “bridge‐to‐transplant,” we performed a transcatheter aortic valve implantation using a balloon‐expandable Sapien 3 prosthesis. At 6 month follow‐up, the patient remained clinically stable with no rehospitalization due to heart failure.
Staged revascularization in patients with acute coronary syndromes due to saphenous vein graft failure and chronic total occlusion of the native vessel: A novel concept
Authors: Xenogiannis Iosif , Tajti Peter , Burke M. Nicholas , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: November 2018

Percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions can be challenging due to high risk for acute and long‐term complications. Treating the corresponding native coronary artery lesion(s) is preferable, but may not be feasible in the acute setting, due to high technical difficulty, especially when the native coronary lesion is a chronic total occlusion (CTO). We describe a novel concept of “staged revascularization” in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome due to SVG failure, whose native coronary artery supplied by the SVG has a CTO. In the first stage, the culprit SVG lesion is treated restoring flow to the supplied myocardium and minimizing the extent of myocardial injury. During the second stage (typically few weeks later), revascularization of the corresponding native coronary artery lesion(s) is performed, often using the initially treated SVG for retrograde crossing of the native coronary artery CTO. We describe two cases of non‐ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction due to SVG failure that were treated with “staged revascularization”: the culprit SVG was initially treated followed by staged revascularization of the corresponding native coronary artery CTO. Staged revascularization of SVG lesions causing acute coronary syndromes may allow optimization of both acute and long‐term outcomes.
Synthesis, Structure, Photophysical Properties, and Photostability of Benzodipyrenes
Authors: Yang Wenlong , Monteiro Jorge H. S. K. , de Bettencourt‐Dias Ana , Catalano Vincent J. , Chalifoux Wesley A.
Published: November 2018

This work explores the syntheses, structures, photophysical properties, and photostability of benzodipyrenes (BDPs). BDPs were synthesized through an InCl3‐AgNTf2‐catalyzed, four‐fold alkyne benzannulation reaction. The structures of BDP 4 a and its corresponding endoperoxide product were unambiguously confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The BDPs reported here can also be recognized as peri‐ and cata‐benzannulated pentacenes with a non‐functionalized central ring. Unlike the previous reported pentacene‐based polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the absorbances of the BDPs were blueshifted by ca. 40 nm relative to pentacene, even after extension of π‐conjugation. The newly synthesized BDP products exhibit relatively good stability with half‐lives as high as 4612 min in THF.
Pyramid‐Textured Antireflective Silicon Surface In Graphene Oxide/Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotube–Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Yu LePing , Batmunkh Munkhbayar , Dadkhah Mahnaz , Shearer Cameron J. , Shapter Joseph G.
Published: November 2018

Antireflection layers are commonly used in photovoltaics to increase light absorption and therefore increase maximum photocurrent. Here, pyramid structures are created on Si surfaces with alkaline solution etching. The extent of pyramid coverage depends directly on the reaction time and as a result, the surface reflectance decreases with reaction time. A floating transfer method is used to fabricate heterojunction solar cells based on graphene oxide‐carbon nanotube and Si heterojunctions. The best device performance (photo current conversion efficiency of 13.01 ± 0.32%, which is much higher than the efficiency of the control devices (10.18 ± 0.33%)) was observed using with cells fabricated with the highest coverage (99.9%) of pyramids on the Si surfaces, which is determined to be a combined effect of reduced surface reflectance and increased effective heterojunction area per unit active area.
Green‐Light‐Induced PhotoCORM: Lysozyme Binding Affinity towards MnI and ReI Carbonyl Complexes and Biological Activity Evaluation
Authors: Mansour Ahmed M.
Published: November 2018

Reaction of N‐(2‐pyridylmethylene)benzene‐1,4‐diamine (L) with [MBr(CO)5] (M = MnI and ReI) affords complexes of the type [MBr(CO)3L] [M = MnI (1) and ReI (2)]. Complex 1 releases CO upon illumination with light in the range of 525–468 nm. No photo induced CO release is detected from 2. Reactive azide complex 3, obtained by bromide's ligand exchange, reacts with the electron‐poor alkyne dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate giving triazolato complex 4 ([Mn(triazolateCOOMe,COOMe)(CO)3L]) via the free catalyst [3+2] cycloaddition coupling. Complex 1 exhibits interesting antifungal activity (MIC = 30 nM) against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans as well as cytotoxic activity of 12.56 µg/mL against noncancerous human embryonic kidney cells. Reactivity of the complexes towards hen egg white lysozyme is studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
Structure and Reactivity of Glycosyl Isocyanides
Authors: Neochoritis Constantinos G. , Ghonchepour Ehsan , Miraki Maryam Kazemi , Zarganes‐Tzitzikas Tryfon , Kurpiewska Katarzyna , Kalinowska‐Tłuścik Justyna , Dömling Alexander
Published: November 2018

3D structural information was obtained from mono‐, di‐ and trisaccharide formamide and isocyanide derivatives by analysis of their X‐ray crystal structure and NMR spectroscopy. The isocyanide anomeric effect was observed. Data mining of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) was performed and statistically confirmed our findings. Application of the glycoside isocyanides in the synthesis of novel glycoconjugates as drug‐like scaffolds by MCR chemistry underscores the usefulness of the novel building blocks.
A bioactive collagen membrane that enhances bone regeneration
Authors: Khorsand Behnoush , Elangovan Satheesh , Hong Liu , Kormann Michael S. D. , Salem Aliasger K.
Published: November 2018

Membranes are an integral component of guided bone regeneration protocols. This pre‐clinical study was aimed at enhancing the bioactivity of collagen membranes by incorporating plasmid DNA (pDNA) or chemically modified RNA (cmRNA) encoding bone morphogenetic protein‐9 (BMP‐9). In addition, we also endeavored to harness the regenerative potential of the periosteum by creating perforations in the membrane. Nanoplexes of polyethylenimine (PEI)‐nucleic acids (PEI‐pDNA or PEI‐cmRNA encoding BMP‐9) were incorporated into commercially obtained and perforated collagen membranes (PCM) to produce PCM‐pDNA(BMP‐9) or PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9). After structural characterization, the biodegradation kinetics of PCM, PCM‐pDNA(BMP‐9) and PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9) were assessed in simulated body fluid in vitro. Using a 24‐well transwell plate system with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in the lower chamber and the PCM to be tested in the upper chamber, the in vitro bioactivity of different PCMs was evaluated by measuring various markers for osteogenesis in BMSCs. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assessed in BMSCs, after 7 and 11 days of exposure to PCM, PCM‐pDNA(BMP‐9), or PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9). Similarly, calcium deposition and Alizarin red staining in BMSCs were assessed after 14 days of exposure to the three different types of PCM. PCMs were then tested in vivo using the calvarial defect model in rats. After 4 weeks, animals were euthanized and bone specimens were harvested for micro‐computed tomography and histological assessments. Incorporation of pDNA or cmRNA did not alter the biodegradation profile of PCMs. Alkaline phosphatase activity trended toward being higher in BMSCs exposed to PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9) or PCM‐pDNA(BMP‐9), when compared to BMSCs alone. Similar trends were observed when calcium deposition and alizarin red staining was evaluated. Calvarial bone defects treated with PCM‐cmRNA(BMP‐9) resulted in significantly higher bone volume/total volume % (BV/TV%), when compared to empty defects and trended toward being higher than defects treated with PCM‐pDNA(BMP‐9) and PCM alone. We demonstrate for the first time that resorbable PCM can be utilized to efficiently deliver pDNA and cmRNA of interest. The released pDNA and cmRNA encoding BMP‐9 in this assessment was shown to be functional in vitro as well as in vivo. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1824–1832, 2019.