bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiências de (não) reconhecimento entre os trabalhadores offshore na bacia de Campos: uma abordagem a partir de Axel Honneth
Authors: Ribeiro Adelia Maria Miglievich , Sales Valter Luis Fernandes de
Published: August 2013

Nossa pesquisa voltou-se para um grupo específico dentre os trabalhadores, aqueles atuantes na indústria do petróleo da Bacia de Campos (RJ), funcionários da PETROBRAS e de empresas prestadoras de serviços para a PETROBRAS, cujas entrevistas servem como material empírico para uma possível nova leitura acerca do mundo do trabalhador offshore, a partir de algumas questões suscitadas por Axel Honneth, atual expoente da Teoria Crítica, tais quais a vivência do desrespeito, o sentimento moral de indignação, sua articulação na busca de soluções a configurar ou não uma luta por reconhecimento. Atestamos o potencial analítico do instrumental honnethiano na orientação de investigações empíricas que possam redescobrir as relações de produção como espaço possível de experiências de reivindicação de sua humanização, no capitalismo avançado, em que pesem as tendências para as saídas individualistas ou conformistas provocadas pela concomitante precarização do trabalho.
Um outsider e a experiência da migração: reflexões sobre as representações a respeito do migrante no contexto ficcional da obra de Samuel Rawet
Authors: Aquino Silvia Lima de
Published: August 2013

Este artigo busca estabelecer uma reflexão acerca da representação sobre o migrante nos contos O Profeta e Gringuinho da obra Contos do Imigrante de Samuel Rawet. Para tanto, tomamos como referencial teórico trabalhos que se dedicaram a abordar os escritos deste autor, como os de Silva (2009), Brasil (s/d), Kirschbaum (2002), Chiarelli (2005), Engellaum (2006). E, a fim de problematizar a questão do migrante apresentada nos contos, nos fundamentamos na categoria de identidade e no debate sobre a migração. Observamos que o fato de Rawet ser um migrante e um outsider em relação a literatura dita canônica, de certa forma, interferiu na constituição dos seus personagens, sendo esta interferência capaz de colocar a possibilidade de utilização das representações que integram a obra ficcional para discutir aspectos relacionados à migração.
Vozes da Rua: significados do trabalho e das relações de trabalho dos catadores de materiais recicláveis
Authors: Moraes Carlos Antonio de Souza
Published: August 2013

O artigo apresenta um estudo acerca do trabalho e das relações de trabalho dos catadores de materiais recicláveis de rua em Bom Jesus do Itabapoana - RJ. Representa uma discussão da informalidade e das estratégias de sobrevivência (LAUTIER, 1993; 1994) pouco tratadas em campos profissionais das políticas sociais como a assistência social. Para tanto, trabalha com pesquisa bibliográfica e de campo, por meio de entrevistas direcionadas a 10 catadores. Seus resultados demonstram que estes trabalhadores dão continuidade às antigas formas de sobrevivência e marginalidade, visto que não possuem condições de responderem às atuais exigências (elevada escolaridade, qualificação...) do mercado de trabalho.
Uso de ambiente virtual de aprendizagem no apoio à aula presencial: estudo de caso no Instituto Federal Fluminense
Authors: Bastos Helvia Pereira Pinto
Published: August 2013

O trabalho constitui um estudo de caso sobre uma experiência de aprendizagem híbrida (blended learning) com uso de ambiente virtual na plataforma Moodle, visando ampliar e apoiar atividades presenciais na disciplina "Métodos e Técnicas da Pesquisa", em um curso de Pós-Graduação lato sensu, no Instituto Federal Fluminense. O artigo descreve como o ambiente foi desenvolvido e o contexto de sua utilização. A validade da proposta pedagógica é analisada com base no questionário enviado aos alunos e em comentários feitos pelos mesmos em fórum de discussão.
Análise estrutural da comunidade arbustivo-arbórea de um cerradão
Authors: Pereira-Silva Erico Fernando Lopes , Santos José Eduardo dos , Hardt Elisa
Published: August 2013

Neste trabalho apresenta-se a avaliação da estrutura e do estoque de crescimento de um cerradão sem interferências antrópicas há quatro décadas por meio da estratificação fitossociológica: dossel (h > 3,0m e DAS > 6,0cm), inferior (h < 1,0m e DAS > 1,0cm), média (1,0 < h < 3,0m) e superior (h > 3,0m e DAS < 6,0cm). Foi evidenciada uma heterogeneidade na estrutura vertical da comunidade, destacando-se um elevado número de indivíduos, nos estratos superior e médio, que indicam a estabilidade dessa vegetação, principalmente em função da ausência de degradação que tem permitido a manutenção dos processos de estabelecimento, sobrevivência e crescimento das espécies.
Caráter emancipatório da educação
Authors: Lima Carlos Márcio Viana
Published: August 2013

Compreender que a educação deve responder aos propósitos de emancipação, não se atendo a uma só linguagem, mas se abrindo à diversidade das visões e linguagens culturais significa instaurar um processo de crítica à tentativa unicista da razão técnico-científica e fornecer proporcionalidade antropológica ao exercício da racionalidade. Cabe à tarefa emancipatória do processo educativo estimular a crítica das pretensões unicistas da razão e propor uma formação mais plenamente humana.
Rede Nacional de Certificação Profissional e Formação Inicial e Continuada - Rede CERTIFIC
Authors: Pereira Luiz Augusto Caldas , Costa Sônia da
Published: August 2013

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Eleições, corrupção e instabilidade local: o caso de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana - RJ
Authors: Crizostomo José Henrique Mendes
Published: August 2013

Ao longo do ano de 2008 a cidade de Bom Jesus do Itabapoana, situada no estado do Rio de Janeiro, foi palco de uma grave crise político-institucional no executivo municipal, tendo no período de um mandato eletivo oito prefeitos, fato que ganhou repercussão em âmbito nacional. A partir do debate teórico clássico acerca da democratização, participação política e poder local, iniciei a pesquisa de campo no ano de 2009 buscando identificar quais os fatores que contribuíram para a grave crise política nunca antes vista na história do município. No presente trabalho exponho alguns resultados obtidos.
Estética e epistemologia na educação tecnológica: elementos em Freire e Marcuse
Authors: Ferreira Emerson Pessoa
Published: August 2013

A Estética, de forma concisa, é uma área da filosofia que estuda a Arte e a Beleza (e seus contraditórios inerentes). Suas inter-relações com a Educação e em especial com a Educação Tecnocientífica têm sido exploradas por alguns autores, mas o enfoque raramente contempla as dimensões ideológicas e epistemológicas mais sutis dessa articulação. Essas nuances têm sido negligenciadas sobretudo na formação de engenheiros, arquitetos e designers. É também notável a disjunção arbitrária entre a Estética ('sensações'), a Ética ('valores') e a Lógica ('verdades') que caracteriza muito de nossa cultura e dos nossos currículos, mormente os de cunho epistemológico pouco crítico. A perspectiva apontada como conclusão é a de que o enfoque CTS (Ciência Tecnologia e Sociedade) crítico na Educação Tecnológica, sempre que considerar o estético, convidará a uma abordagem educacional libertadora, na acepção que Paulo Freire dá ao termo, e que tem interfaces com a Teoria Crítica da Escola de Frankfurt, especialmente a filosofia de Herbert Marcuse. Sugere-se a necessidade de repensar as implicações práticas dessas coincidências e intersecções. O enfoque CTS crítico deve arguir, então, a partir de elementos da filosofia da tecnologia, dentre eles a Estética, quais as consequências da 'unidimensionalidade' para um projeto de homem e sociedade.
Can We Cross the Street in Time?
Authors: Greenes Carole E. , Cavanagh Mary C. , Tsankova Jenny K. , Glanfield Florence A.
Published: August 2013

Students stroll through distance, rate, and time experiments on the road to strengthening their understanding of proportionality.
Overcoming the “Run” Response
Authors: Swanson Patricia E.
Published: August 2013

Strategies that foster self-awareness, help regulate emotions, and encourage problem-solving perseverance can turn mathematical fight or flight into re-engagement.
Mathematical Explorations: Finding Pi with Archimedes's Exhaustion Method
Authors: King Alessandra
Published: August 2013

An analysis of Archimedes' contributions to the field of mathematics and the meaning behind C = pd are explored. Activity sheets are included.
Guerres culturelles et musées d’art aux États-Unis : le cas de Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture
Authors: Roberge Van Der Donckt Julia
Published: August 2013

Ne faisant pas exception à la résurgence épisodique de conflits idéologiques émanant des guerres culturelles américaines, les institutions artistiques constituent des arènes de prédilection pour l’émergence de certaines polémiques. Dans son article, Julia Roberge Van Der Donckt transpose la théorie sociologique de l’acteur-réseau aux disciplines de la muséologie et de l’histoire de l’art pour faire l’étude de la controverse qui entoura le retrait de l’oeuvre A Fire in My Belly de l’artiste américain David Wojnarowicz alors qu’elle était présentée à la National Portrait Gallery de Washington (DC), dans le cadre de l’exposition Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture. À l’aide de cet exemple, l’auteure démontre comment la multiplication des interactions entre certains acteurs peut constituer une chaîne de médiations qui influence et façonne une situation tout en menant parfois à l’émergence, l’escalade, puis l’apaisement d’une polémique. L’analyse de cet épisode rend également compte des conséquences fondamentales que génère la recrudescence des guerres culturelles américaines sur la sphère muséale, dont la vulnérabilité du financement public des musées, la censure, la création réactionnaire de modes de diffusions artistiques alternatifs et la remise en question de l’indépendance des musées quant à la présentation et à l’authenticité de leurs contenus d’exposition.
Les musées en région au Québec : essai de définition
Authors: Savard Meggie
Published: August 2013

La réalité des musées québécois éloignés des grandes agglomérations urbaines diffère substantiellement de celle des institutions évoluant en milieu métropolitain. Meggie Savard définit l'environnement dans lequel évoluent ces institutions en évoquant une certaine forme d’autonomie culturelle, la présence d’une forte identité régionale et leur composition démographique (à prévalence caucasienne, homogène et francophone), le phénomène de l’exode rural, un faible niveau de scolarisation des habitants ainsi qu’un taux de chômage supérieur à la moyenne nationale. Malgré les difficultés avec lesquelles ces musées doivent composer, les divers paliers de gouvernance local, provincial ou national ne leur accordent aucune reconnaissance ni statut particulier. En s’appuyant sur ce constat, Meggie Savard tente de définir et de circonscrire le « musée régional » en l’opposant au musée urbain par le biais d’une revue d’écrits et l’étude d’un cas typique observé au Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean afin de proposer quelques idées d’appui financier adaptées aux besoins propres à ces institutions.
Guerre et régimes sociaux de propriété dans l’Antiquité gréco-romaine. Un retour sur les contributions des Relations internationales
Authors: Gheller Frantz
Published: August 2013

Le néoréalisme et l’École anglaise dépeignent l’Antiquité gréco-romaine comme un état de guerre permanent obéissant à une logique de balance du pouvoir analogue à celle du système international contemporain. De son côté, le constructivisme insiste sur les pratiques de coopération qui régulaient les interactions entre cités-États plutôt que sur la guerre elle-même. Par une analyse comparative du développement des logiques d’expansion territoriale de la Grèce démocratique et de la république romaine, cet article offre une conceptualisation alternative des stratégies de territorialisation et d’appropriation qui ont prévalu à Athènes et à Rome. Cette conceptualisation s’ancre dans la sociologie historique des relations internationales afin de souligner comment les activités militaires qui complémentent les capacités de production et d’appropriation revêtent des formes variées qu’on gagne à comprendre en analysant la spécificité historique des régimes sociaux de propriété.
Les relations sociales, la formation de l’État au début de l’ère moderne et le nettoyage religieux : contribution à la sociologie historique des clôtures sociales
Authors: Martineau Jonathan , Dufour Frédérick Guillaume
Published: August 2013

Cet article propose une analyse de l’origine sociale des conflits théologico-politiques dans la Péninsule Ibérique durant le XVe siècle. Mobilisant l’analyse des clôtures sociales d’une part et celle des régimes sociaux de propriété d’autre part, l’auteur reconstruit la grammaire générative des conflits sociaux qui amenèrent l’état-major administratif à adopter les statuts de sang pure à l’origine d’un recadrage des conflits sociaux où la perception du rôle des conversos allait devenir fatal. L’auteur défend qu’en dépit de l’absence d’unethéorie raciale « scientifique », l’état-major administratif introduisit une théorie de la « culpabilité par l’hérédité » qui eut des conséquences désastreuses pour la population juive d’Espagne.
Contrainte et capital : le rapport mitigé au marxisme de la sociologie historique de Charles Tilly
Authors: Ouimet Hubert Rioux
Published: August 2013

Quel rapport la sociologie historique de Charles Tilly, telle que développée notamment dans ses travaux sur la formation des États nationaux européens et les grandes révolutions, entretient-elle à la sociologie historique néomarxiste et plus généralement au marxisme ? Cet article se propose d’évaluer ce rapport à partir d’une analyse de trois des plus importants travaux de Tilly en sociologie historique, soit La Vendée, publié en 1964, Les révolutions européennes 1492-1992, publié en 1993, puis Contrainte et capital dans la formation de l’Europe 990-1990, publié en 1992. Sa thèse principale est que ce rapport existe mais se distingue par son caractère mitigé. Il y est soutenu que Tilly doit plutôt être classé du côté des auteurs néowébériens, l’héritage du marxisme étant assumé mais résolument intégré au sein d’études toujours multicausales de ces grandes transformations sociopolitiques.
Relire la violence dans la société colombienne à la lumière des relations sociales et internationales
Authors: Celis Leila
Published: August 2013

La violence qui s’acharne contre la société colombienne a été l’objet d’une abondante littérature dans laquelle le chaos devient l’explicandum de l’action d’acteurs armés multiples : guérilla, délinquance ordinaire, paramilitaires, narcotrafiquants, Forces armées. Dans le récit officiel du conflit, l’État dit se battre contre différentes forces afin de protéger la population et les institutions légalement établies. Cependant, la violence politique institutionnelle a été, de la colonie à aujourd’hui, le principal mécanisme d’ascension au pouvoir, de même que l’appareil d’État demeure un moyen privilégié d’enrichissement. En analysant les relations sociales, ce texte démontre que les élites économiques et politiques de la société colombienne sont les principales responsables et bénéficiaires de la violence qu’elles disent combattre.
Editorial
Authors: Kaseker Mônica
Published: August 2013

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Bax and Bak function as the outer membrane component of the mitochondrial permeability pore in regulating necrotic cell death in mice
Authors: Karch Jason , Kwong Jennifer Q , Burr Adam R , Sargent Michelle A , Elrod John W , Peixoto Pablo M , Martinez-Caballero Sonia , Osinska Hanna , Cheng Emily H-Y , Robbins Jeffrey , Kinnally Kathleen W , Molkentin Jeffery D
Published: August 2013

A critical event in ischemia-based cell death is the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). However, the molecular identity of the components of the MPTP remains unknown. Here, we determined that the Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bak, which are central regulators of apoptotic cell death, are also required for mitochondrial pore-dependent necrotic cell death by facilitating outer membrane permeability of the MPTP. Loss of Bax/Bak reduced outer mitochondrial membrane permeability and conductance without altering inner membrane MPTP function, resulting in resistance to mitochondrial calcium overload and necrotic cell death. Reconstitution with mutants of Bax that cannot oligomerize and form apoptotic pores, but still enhance outer membrane permeability, permitted MPTP-dependent mitochondrial swelling and restored necrotic cell death. Our data predict that the MPTP is an inner membrane regulated process, although in the absence of Bax/Bak the outer membrane resists swelling and prevents organelle rupture to prevent cell death.
Physiological and stem cell compartmentalization within the Drosophila midgut
Authors: Marianes Alexis , Spradling Allan C
Published: August 2013

The Drosophila midgut is maintained throughout its length by superficially similar, multipotent intestinal stem cells that generate new enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells in response to tissue requirements. We found that the midgut shows striking regional differentiation along its anterior-posterior axis. At least ten distinct subregions differ in cell morphology, physiology and the expression of hundreds of genes with likely tissue functions. Stem cells also vary regionally in behavior and gene expression, suggesting that they contribute to midgut sub-specialization. Clonal analyses showed that stem cells generate progeny located outside their own subregion at only one of six borders tested, suggesting that midgut subregions resemble cellular compartments involved in tissue development. Tumors generated by disrupting Notch signaling arose preferentially in three subregions and tumor cells also appeared to respect regional borders. Thus, apparently similar intestinal stem cells differ regionally in cell production, gene expression and in the ability to spawn tumors.
A family of fluoride-specific ion channels with dual-topology architecture
Authors: Stockbridge Randy B , Robertson Janice L , Kolmakova-Partensky Ludmila , Miller Christopher
Published: August 2013

Fluoride ion, ubiquitous in soil, water, and marine environments, is a chronic threat to microorganisms. Many prokaryotes, archea, unicellular eukaryotes, and plants use a recently discovered family of F− exporter proteins to lower cytoplasmic F− levels to counteract the anion’s toxicity. We show here that these ‘Fluc’ proteins, purified and reconstituted in liposomes and planar phospholipid bilayers, form constitutively open anion channels with extreme selectivity for F− over Cl−. The active channel is a dimer of identical or homologous subunits arranged in antiparallel transmembrane orientation. This dual-topology assembly has not previously been seen in ion channels but is known in multidrug transporters of the SMR family, and is suggestive of an evolutionary antecedent of the inverted repeats found within the subunits of many membrane transport proteins.
Posterior Scleritis
Authors: Chakraborti Chandana , Chowdhury Krittka Pal
Published: August 2013

Posterior scleritis is a relatively uncommon disorder and often misdiagnosed owing to its variable presentations. We describe two cases of posterior scleritis. Both the cases underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, fluorescein angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, systemic evaluation including physical examination and laboratory investigations. We did not find any associated systemic disease in our cases inspite of extensive investigations. Both the cases showed a good response to oral steroid in tapering dose. To detect the underlying disease, for proper treatment and assessment of prognosis, diagnostic work-up is needed. B-scan ultrasonography is the most useful diagnostic tool in such patients.
Early diagnosis of posterior scleritis is important due to its excellent response to anti-inflammatory medication, particularly with systemic steroid and most common etiology being idiopathic.
Phakic Intraocular Lenses An Overview
Authors: Tinwala Sana Ilyas , Titiyal J S
Published: August 2013

Currently, there are four general approaches to correct refractive errors: refractive corneal surgery, crystalline lens surgery, and implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) in the anterior or posterior chamber. In any case, the main goal of refractive surgery is the smallest residual refractive error preserving vision quality with the same visual capacity. In this review, the current status of phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) surgery to correct refractíve errors is reviewed. Phakic IOL includes any lens located between the cornea and the anterior surface of the crystalline lens, which is left undisturbed inside the eye. The insertion of an implant in a phakic eye must be simple, precise, and reproducible and must produce successful optical results. In addition, implantation of a phakic IOL allows retention of accomodation and is reversible. Current IOL choice includes angle-fixated anterior chamber IOLs, iris-fixated anterior chamber IOLs, and the posterior chamber phakic IOL
Intra-Stromal Corneal Ring Segments
Authors: Bakshi Ramendra , Khurana Charu , Sachdev Ritika , Sachdev Mahipal
Published: August 2013

Intra-stromal corneal ring segments (ICRs) are a new modality in the treatment of corneal ectactic disorders like keratoconus, post lasik ectasia and pellucid marginal degeneration. ICRS is a minimally invasive technique wherein the central optical zone is not disturbed with long term convenient refractive correction. Two brands of ICRS segments are popular commercially, Intacs (Additions Technology Inc) and Ferrara Rings. ICRS reduces the sphere, cylinder and the spherical equivalent in keratoconus.

Pre-operative evaluation and patient selection plays a key role in the success of the implant. The determination of which segment to implant depends upon pre-operative manifest refraction, spherical equivalent, location of the cone and degree of asymmetric astigmatism.

ICRS along with collagen cross linking has opened new vistas in the treatment of keratoconus and corneal ectasia. While cross linking stops the progression of the ectasia and reverses it to some extent, ICRS flatten or normalize the corneal shape. Combining both the modalities together has a synergistic action and can be performed simulatneously or sequentially. Complications are rare as ICRS implantation is reversible, no corneal tissue is removed, and the central optical zone is not invaded.
Efficacy of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin and Ultraviolet A in Progressive Keratoconus
Authors: Jabbar Aneeta , Seema KM
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

To analyze the efficacy of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A in progressive Keratoconus.

Materials and Methods:

Nonrandomized, interventtonal, prospective trial of 52 eyes of 45 patients, with progressive Keratoconus. The study was conducted between January 2009 and June 2011. Inclusion Criteria were documented progression of keratoconus by refraction, keratometry or topography with pachymetry more than 400 microns and age less than 35 years. Crosslinking was performed using Riboflavin 0.1% and ultraviolet-A light of 370nm using a 3mW/cm2 irradiance after removing the central 7mm of the corneal epithelium using a blunt knife. A bandage contact lens was fitted until reepithelialisation. Eyes with mild –moderate disease were included in category 1 and advanced to severe disease ware included in category 2.

Results:

At 1 year an improvement in BCVA was seen in 42.31% in category 1 and in 26.92% of category 2. BCVA worsened in 11.54% of category 1 and 12.69% of category 2 and remained stable in rest. An improvement in the max K reading was seen in 32% of category 1 and in 36.36% of category 2. A one way ANOVA proves the means of the max K values before and after the procedure do not differ significantly. Spherical equivalent was also stable in both the groups at 1 year. A comparison of results between eyes with and without Vogts striae did not show statistically significant difference. Thus Crosslinking has shown some initial improvements in BCVA, refraction and keratometry, but results are not dramatic. The main effect is stabilisation of the ectasia.
Comparison of Visual Evoked Potential Components In Female Patients of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma with Age Matched Control Females
Authors: Kothari Ruchi , Bokariya Pradeep , Singh Smita , Singh Ramji
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To compare the P100 latency and P100 amplitude of pattern reversal visual evoked potential VEP in a cohort of female patients having primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with those of age matched control females.

Materials:

This rural hospital based study was conducted in the Neurophysiology unit of the Department of Physiology of our institute. The study comprised of pattern reversal visual evoked potential (PRVEP) recordings from 244 eyes (92 POAG eyes and 152 control eyes).

Study Design:

This was a comparative case-control study.

Methods:

VEP recordings were performed with the stimulus configuration consisting of the transient pattern reversal method in which a black and white checker board was generated (full field) and displayed on VEP Monitor by an electronic pattern regenerator inbuilt in an Evoked Potential Recorder (RMS EMG EP MARK II, Recorders and Medicare Systems, Chandigarh). VEP waveform, latencies and amplitude were measured in all subjects.

Results:

The mean age of POAG females (N=46) was 55 ± 10.50 years and the mean age of control females (N=76) was 54.30 ± 10.62 years. The age range for both the groups was 40-79 years. On comparison among all the age groups, the mean P100 latency of POAG patients was 98.13±6.39 msec and the mean P100 latency of the controls was 97.14 ± 4.46 msec. The mean amplitude of P100 in POAG patients was less than that of control subjects in the almost all the age groups. It was 4.48 ± 1.39 μV in POAG cases as compared to 6.20±2.02 μV in the controls of the age group 60-69 years and it was 3.76 ± 2.35 μV in POAG cases as compared to 4.36± 0.67μV in the controls of the age group 70-79 years.

Conclusion:

Age wise and gender wise case control comparison of PRVEP components in our study subjects revealed that the eyes of females of POAG group have shown longer P100 latencies and produced diminished amplitude than the control eyes. The inter-eye difference of all the VEP parameters in the POAG group was significantly greater than those of controls. While in the control group, there was negligible inter-ocular difference between the two eyes of the same sex.
No-Assistant Technique: Simplified Haptic Externalization For Glued IOL
Authors: Narang Priya
Published: August 2013

A modified technique for externalizing the haptics in the Agarwal method of glued intrasderal fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) is described. This technique eliminates the role of an assistant in holding the haptic during the entire surgical manoeuvre and subsequent complications associated with inappropriate handling of the haptic. The technique was used in 45 cases and was reproducible in all cases with no intraoperative complications. This technique is an attempt to make the process of haptic externalization, considered the most technically demanding part of the surgery, more easy and feasible.
Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells in Corneal Regeneration
Authors: Sharma Shweta , Vanathi M. , Mohanty Sujata , Tandon Radhika
Published: August 2013

The cornea is the transparent and outer most part of the eye, which is responsible for clear vision. The homeostasis of corneal epithelium is maintained by stem cells (SCs) located at the limbus, which is a transitional zone between cornea and conjunctiva. Due to some conditions limbal stem cells (LSCs) can be destroyed or lost and this can cause limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Conventional non-surgical management and corneal transplants are not enough to treat LSCD. Recent advances in tissue engineering have made possible to rejuvenate the LSC deficit ocular surface with ex-vivo cultivated limbal epithelium and this is possible to achieve from a significantly small limbal biopsy.
In spite of all progress made in this field, it is still questionable to identify LSCs based on the biomarkers. This review article will focus on the biology of LSCs and their emerging trend in the field of regenerative medicine. Apart from that this article will also highlight different culture techniques to cultivate LSCs and novel biofunctional scaffolds.
Double Hydroxide Nanocatalysts for Urea Electrooxidation Engineered toward Environmentally Benign Products
Authors: Yang Yuwei , Yuwono Jodie A , Whittaker Todd , Ibáñez Marc Manyé , Wang Bingliang , Kim Changmin , Borisevich Albina Y , Chua Stephanie , Prada Jhair Pena , Wang Xichu , Autran Pierre‐Olivier , Unocic Raymond R , Dai Liming , Holewinski Adam , Bedford Nicholas M
Published: July 2024

Recent advancements in the electrochemical urea oxidation reaction (UOR) present promising avenues for wastewater remediation and energy recovery. Despite progress toward optimized efficiency, hurdles persist in steering oxidation products away from environmentally unfriendly products, mostly due to a lack of understanding of structure‐selectivity relationships. In this study, the UOR performance of Ni and Cu double hydroxides, which show marked differences in their reactivity and selectivity is evaluated. CuCo hydroxides predominantly produce N2, reaching a current density of 20 mA cmgeo−2 at 1.04 V – 250 mV less than NiCo hydroxides that generate nitrogen oxides. A collection of in‐situ spectroscopies and scattering experiments reveal a unique in situ generated Cu(2‐x)+‐OO−• active sites in CuCo, which initiates nucleophilic substitution of NH2 from the amide, leading to N‐N coupling between *NH on Co and Cu. In contrast, the formation of nitrogen oxides on NiCo is primarily attributed to the presence of high‐valence Ni3+ and Ni4+, which facilitates N‐H activation. This process, in conjunction with the excessive accumulation of OH− ions on Jahn‐Teller (JT) distorted Co sites, leads to the generation of NO2− as the primary product. This work underscores the importance of catalyst composition and structural engineering in tailoring innocuous UOR products.
Directional Construction of the Highly Stable Active‐Site Ensembles at Sub‐2 nm to Enhance Catalytic Activity and Selectivity
Authors: Chen Zemin , Chen Yu , Shi Lei , Li Xinyu , Xu Guangyue , Zeng Xiang , Zheng Xusheng , Qi Zeming , Zhang Kaihang , Li Jiong , Zhang Shuo , Zhao Zhijian , Zhang Ying
Published: July 2024

Precise control over the size, species, and breakthrough of the activity–selectivity trade‐off are great challenges for sub‐nano non‐noble metal catalysts. Here, for the first time, a “multiheteroatom induced SMSI + in situ P activation” strategy that enables high stability and effective construction of sub‐2 nm metal sites for optimizing selective hydrogenation performance is developed. It is synthesized the smallest metal phosphide clusters (<2 nm) including from unary to ternary non‐noble metal systems, accompanied by unprecedented thermal stability. In the proof‐of‐concept demonstration, further modulation of size and species results in the creation of a sub‐2 nm site platform, directionally achieving single atom (Ni1), Ni1+metal cluster (Ni1+Nin), or novel Ni1+metal phosphide cluster synergistic sites (Ni1+Ni2Pn), respectively. Based on thorough structure and mechanism investigation, it is found the Ni1+Ni2Pn site is motivated to achieve electronic structure self‐optimizing through synergistic SMSI and site coupling effect. Therefore, it speeds up the substrate adsorption–desorption kinetics in semihydrogenation of alkyne and achieves superior catalytic activity that is 56 times higher than the Ni1 site under mild conditions. Compared to traditional active sites, this may represent the highly effective integration of atom utilization, thermal stability, and favorable site requirements for chemisorption properties and reactivities of substrates.
Ionic Lignin Polymers for Controlled CO2 Capture, Release, and Conversion into High‐Value Chemicals
Authors: Ghorai Arijit , Chung Hoyong
Published: July 2024

In this study, an innovative and cost‐effective ionic polymer for CO2 capture and utilization for the first time, using abundant and nonfood‐based biomass lignin is reported. The modified ionic polymer synthesizes through the reaction of glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride with lignin under alkaline conditions to yield quaternary ammonium ionic functionality. Subsequently, the hydroxide‐based pure ionic lignin polymer is employed for CO2 capture from both direct air and concentrated CO2 sources at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Structural characterization of the polymers is accomplished through 1H, 13C, and 2D‐heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR, and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The CO2 capture process is established through the formation of bicarbonate ions alongside the presence of CO2. The captured CO2 is precisely quantified by using inverse‐gated proton decoupled 13C NMR with an internal standard (trioxane). Remarkably, the captured‐CO2 amounts of ionic lignin polymer are 1.06 mmol g−1 (47 mg g−1) from concentrated‐CO2 source and 0.60 mmol g−1 (26 mg g−1) from direct‐air. The captured‐CO2 in ionic lignin polymer is released in controlled manner and utilized in the synthesis of cyclic carbonate, showcasing the productive application of the captured carbon. Moreover, the fully controlled recovering of ionic lignin polymer achieves via repeated CO2 release ↔ CO2 capture.
Transanal minimally invasive proctectomy for ulcerative colitis is beneficial in terms of short‐term outcomes and defecation function
Authors: Hanaoka Marie , Kinugasa Yusuke , Yao Kenta , Takaoka Ayumi , Sasaki Megumi , Yamauchi Shinichi , Tokunaga Masanori
Published: July 2024

Objective

Despite being reported safety, the advantages of transanal minimally invasive proctocolectomy (TAMIP) are controversial, and comparative studies on postoperative defecation function between ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis (IPAA) using laparoscopic transanal manipulation (TAMIP‐IPAA) and without this technique (traditional IPAA) are lacking. This study analyzed TAMIP's impact on short‐term and postoperative defecation function in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) to evaluate its safety and feasibility.

Methods

Inclusion criteria comprised patients with UC undergoing minimally invasive proctocolectomy at our hospital from May 2014 to May 2023. The TAMIP‐IPAA approach involved precise rectal mucosa removal while preserving the sphincter muscle during laparoscopic transanal manipulation.

Results

In the evaluation of short‐term outcomes for 71 patients undergoing proctocolectomy, the TAMIP group (37 patients) outperformed the non‐TAMIP group in operative time (395 vs. 289 min, p < 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (12 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). Additionally, TAMIP‐IPAA demonstrated advantages over traditional IPAA (seven patients), in operative time (443 vs. 289 min, p = 0.006), intraoperative blood loss (392 vs. 130 mL, p = 0.001), postoperative hospital stay (18 vs. 8 days, p = 0.003), anastomotic leakage (42.9% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.041), and re‐admission within 30 days (57.1% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.009). Wexner scores were significantly superior in the TAMIP‐IPAA group at 6 months (14.5 vs. 8.0 points, p = 0.029) and 1 year post stoma closure (14.0 vs. 7.0 points, p = 0.020), indicating enhanced short‐term outcomes and defecation function compared to traditional IPAA.

Conclusions

TAMIP‐IPAA for UC has the potential to offer promising benefits, including the enhancement of short‐term outcomes and the improvement of defecation function.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation‐facilitated palliative radiotherapy for severe airway obstruction due to lung cancer: A case report
Authors: Mori Hitoshi , Kashiura Masahiro , Yoshimura Yuya , Yamahata Yuki , Tokura Tomohisa , Nodagashira Tatsuya , Konn Akihide , Moriya Takashi
Published: July 2024

Background

The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV‐ECMO), particularly during radiotherapy, for severe malignant central airway obstruction has rarely been reported.

Case Presentation

A 47‐year‐old female presented to our emergency department with severe respiratory distress. Given her medical history, she was initially diagnosed with asthma. Despite initial treatment, which included intubation, her condition deteriorated, necessitating VV‐ECMO. Computed tomography performed following the initiation of VV‐ECMO revealed extensive lung cancer involving both bronchial types. Radiotherapy while on VV‐ECMO led to a significant reduction in tumor size, allowing for the weaning of ECMO support and successful extubation.

Conclusion

Malignant central airway obstruction is life‐threatening. Our case demonstrates the efficacy of combining VV‐ECMO with radiotherapy when conventional therapies fail. Further research is necessary to validate and explore this novel approach's implications.
Light‐Induced Unlocking Reactivity of Fragments for Fast Target‐Guided Synthesis of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: Puteaux Chloé , Toubia Isabelle , Truong Lina , Hubert‐Roux Marie , Bailly Laetitia , Oulyadi Hassan , Renard Pierre‐Yves , Sabot Cyrille
Published: July 2024

We showcase the successful combination of photochemistry and kinetic target‐guided synthesis (KTGS) for rapidly pinpointing enzyme inhibitors. KTGS is a fragment‐based drug discovery (FBDD) methodology in which the biological target (BT) orchestrates the construction of its own ligand from fragments featuring complementary reactive functionalities. Notably, fragments interacting with the protein binding sites leverage their spatial proximity, facilitating a preferential reaction. Consequently, the resulting bivalent ligand exhibits heightened affinity. Within the realm of KTGS strategies, in situ click chemistry stands out as the most widely used to identify potent protein binders. This approach requires significant protein contributions, such as binding interactions and appropriate orientations of fragments, to overcome high activation barriers. This leads to prolonged incubation times and the potential for generating false negatives, thereby limiting this strategy to proteins that are stable enough in buffer. We herein unveil the possibility to integrate photochemistry into the realm of KTGS, accelerating the ligation reaction between fragments to a time scale of minutes. This approach should significantly expand the narrow reactivity window of traditional KTGS reactions, paving the way for the exploration and development of novel photo‐KTGS reactions.
2,3 : 6,7‐Naphthalene Bis(dicarboximide) Cyclophane: A Photofunctional Host for Ambient Delayed Fluorescence in Solution
Authors: Garain Swadhin , Li Pei‐Lun , Shoyama Kazutaka , Würthner Frank
Published: July 2024

Harvesting triplet excitons of heavy atom‐free purely organic chromophores under aerated conditions is challenging due to the quenching of long‐lived triplet states by molecular oxygen and vibrational dissipation. Herein, we show a supramolecular approach of triplet harvesting via mitigating quenching pathways of a triplet harvester. Specifically, we used a host–guest system based on 2,3 : 6,7‐naphthalene bis(dicarboximide)‐derived cyclophane (NBICy) and carbazole derivative (EtCz). Complexation studies and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis showed the formation of a rigid host–guest complex (K≈104 M−1 in CCl4), resulting in triplet‐exciton stabilization under aerated conditions via mitigating vibrational interference and oxygen quenching. Photophysical studies elucidate the delayed fluorescence emission from the charge‐transfer state (1CT) with a quantum yield (QY) of 6–8 % under ambient conditions which increased up to 36 % in an inert atmosphere.
Zero‐Bias Anti‐Ohmic Behaviour in Diradicaloid Molecular Wires
Authors: Sil Amit , Hamilton Lewis , Morris James M. F. , Daaoub Abdalghani H. S. , Burrows James H. H. , Robertson Craig M. , Luzyanin Konstantin , Higgins Simon J. , Sadeghi Hatef , Nichols Richard J. , Sangtarash Sara , Vezzoli Andrea
Published: July 2024

Open‐shell materials bearing multiple spin centres provide a key route to efficient charge transport in single‐molecule electronic devices. They have narrow energy gaps, and their molecular orbitals align closely to the Fermi level of the metallic electrodes, thus allowing efficient electronic transport and higher conductance. Maintaining and stabilising multiple open‐shell states—especially in contact with metallic electrodes—is however very challenging, generally requiring a continuous chemical or electrochemical potential to avoid self‐immolation of the open‐shell character. To overcome this issue, we designed, synthesised, and measured the conductance of a series of bis(indeno) fused acenes, where stability is imparted by a close‐shell quinoidal conformation in resonance with the diradical electronic configuration. We show here that these compounds have anti‐ohmic behaviour, with conductance increasing with increasing molecular length, at an unprecedented rate and across the entire bias window (
). Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations support our findings, showing the rapidly narrowing HOMO–LUMO gap, unique to these diradicaloid structures, is responsible for the observed behaviour. Our results provide a framework for achieving efficient transport in neutral compounds and demonstrate the promise that diradicaloid materials have in single‐molecule electronics, owing to their great stability and unique electronic structure.
nQuack: An R package for predicting ploidal level from sequence data using site‐based heterozygosity
Authors: Gaynor Michelle L. , Landis Jacob B. , O'Connor Timothy K. , Laport Robert G. , Doyle Jeff J. , Soltis Douglas E. , Ponciano José Miguel , Soltis Pamela S.
Published: July 2024

Premise

Traditional methods of ploidal‐level estimation are tedious; using DNA sequence data for cytotype estimation is an ideal alternative. Multiple statistical approaches to leverage sequence data for ploidy inference based on site‐based heterozygosity have been developed. However, these approaches may require high‐coverage sequence data, use inappropriate probability distributions, or have additional statistical shortcomings that limit inference abilities. We introduce nQuack, an open‐source R package that addresses the main shortcomings of current methods.

Methods and Results

nQuack performs model selection for improved ploidy predictions. Here, we implement expectation maximization algorithms with normal, beta, and beta‐binomial distributions. Using extensive computer simulations that account for variability in sequencing depth, as well as real data sets, we demonstrate the utility and limitations of nQuack.

Conclusions

Inferring ploidy based on site‐based heterozygosity alone is difficult. Even though nQuack is more accurate than similar methods, we suggest caution when relying on any site‐based heterozygosity method to infer ploidy.
Using behavioral skills training to teach goal setting for health behaviors
Authors: Beaulieu Michelle , Normand Matthew P. , Miltenberger Raymond G.
Published: July 2024

Goal setting is a component of many behavior‐change interventions, with the Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time‐Bound (SMART) goal‐setting method being a commonly used strategy. The current study used a multiple‐baseline across participants design to evaluate the efficacy of behavioral skills training (BST) to teach individuals to set health‐related SMART goals in response to multiple hypothetical health scenarios. Participant attempts at goal setting were scored according to a task analysis encompassing each major element of SMART goals. Goal‐setting performance noticeably improved following an average of 1.25 h of BST, and participants rated the intervention and outcomes favorably.
Immune mediated support of metastasis: Implication for bone invasion
Authors: Xin Zengfeng , Qin Luying , Tang Yang , Guo Siyu , Li Fangfang , Fang Yuan , Li Gege , Yao Yihan , Zheng Binbin , Zhang Bicheng , Wu Dang , Xiao Jie , Ni Chao , Wei Qichun , Zhang Ting
Published: July 2024

Bone is a common organ affected by metastasis in various advanced cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and melanoma. Once a patient is diagnosed with bone metastasis, the patient's quality of life and overall survival are significantly reduced owing to a wide range of morbidities and the increasing difficulty of treatment. Many studies have shown that bone metastasis is closely related to bone microenvironment, especially bone immune microenvironment. However, the effects of various immune cells in the bone microenvironment on bone metastasis remain unclear. Here, we described the changes in various immune cells during bone metastasis and discussed their related mechanisms. Osteoblasts, adipocytes, and other non‐immune cells closely related to bone metastasis were also included. This review also summarized the existing treatment methods and potential therapeutic targets, and provided insights for future studies of cancer bone metastasis.
ChatGPT‐3.5 and ‐4.0 and mechanical engineering: Examining performance on the FE mechanical engineering and undergraduate exams
Authors: Frenkel Matthew E. , Emara Hebah
Published: July 2024

The launch of Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) at the end of 2022 generated large interest in possible applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and among STEM professions. As a result many questions surrounding the capabilities of generative AI tools inside and outside of the classroom have been raised and are starting to be explored. This study examines the capabilities of ChatGPT within the discipline of mechanical engineering. It aims to examine the use cases and pitfalls of such a technology in the classroom and professional settings. ChatGPT was presented with a set of questions from junior‐ and senior‐level mechanical engineering exams provided at a large private university, as well as a set of practice questions for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam in mechanical engineering. The responses of two ChatGPT models, one free to use and one paid subscription, were analyzed. The paper found that the subscription model (GPT‐4, May 12, 2023) greatly outperformed the free version (GPT‐3.5, May 12, 2023), achieving 76% correct versus 51% correct, but the limitation of text only input on both models makes neither likely to pass the FE exam. The results confirm findings in the literature with regard to types of errors and pitfalls made by ChatGPT. It was found that due to its inconsistency and a tendency to confidently produce incorrect answers, the tool is best suited for users with expert knowledge.