bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O Profissional de Secretariado e as Línguas Estrangeiras: Uma Experiência de Ensino de Língua Francesa no Sindicato das(OS) Secretárias(OS) do Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Santos Emili Barcellos Martins , Kundman Maria Sabina
Published: January 2013

No lugar do profissional de secretariado do passado, sempre às voltas com a datilografia, atendendo ao telefone, anotando recados e cuidando da agenda do chefe, o secretário atual domina e acompanha os acontecimentos da empresa onde trabalha, interliga equipes e participa do dia-a-dia do executivo. Assim, o exercício desta profissão requer do profissional de secretariado dos dias atuais certas exigências, tais como o domínio de uma ou mais línguas estrangeiras. Este trabalho tem como objetivos apresentar, discutir e analisar uma experiência de ensino de francês língua estrangeira para profissionais de secretariado. O curso “Língua francesa para profissionais de secretariado” foi ministrado nas dependências da sede do Sindicato das(os) Secretárias(os) do Estado de São Paulo no período de março a novembro de 2009 e contou com a participação de treze aprendizes atuantes no mercado de trabalho como secretárias. Este estudo de caso revela o cerne do trabalho do professor: o de ser o responsável pela concepção de formações linguísticas que aliem protocolos de concepção e procedimentos de Francês com Objetivos Específicos (FOS) a uma orientação para a área secretarial. Espera-se que esta pesquisa forneça elementos para alimentar a reflexão de professores– principalmente aqueles responsáveis pela formação de profissionais de secretariado – que, como as autoras, consideram o ensino de línguas estrangeiras para públicos especializados um campo extremamente dinâmico marcado por constantes incertezas no qual não é possível, nem desejável, o estabelecimento de parâmetros rígidos e imutáveis.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v3i2.130
Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho: Um Enfoque no Profissional de Secretariado Executivo de Uma Instituição Federal de Ensino Superior
Authors: Oliveira Pablo Pedrosa Teixeira de , Minetti Luciano José , Oliveira Luciana Nunes de
Published: January 2013

Tendo em vista as grandes mudanças geradas pela globalização, as empresas chegaram à conclusão de que os trabalhadores são seus maiores bens. Desta maneira, começaram a pensar e estudar formas de melhorar seu desempenho, levando em consideração que estes passam a maior parte de suas vidas no trabalho. Surgiram assim os primeiros estudos sobre a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho, tema central desta pesquisa, que enfocou este aspecto nos secretários executivos de uma Instituição Federal de Ensino Superior. Recorreu-se à literatura pertinente para se fundamentar as questões teóricas e logo em seguida foram aplicados questionários aos profissionais de secretariado executivo da Universidade Federal de Itajubá, abordando os aspectos ergonomia, ambiente de trabalho, saúde e sistema de trabalho, além de detalhes do mobiliário utilizado pelos profissionais. Os dados foram tabulados e chegou-se à conclusão de que os secretários executivos que participaram estão satisfeitos com a QVT que possuem. Ainda assim, a maioria afirmou não ter tido informações sobre como evitar doenças ocupacionais que poderiam ser geradas pelo uso prolongado do computador, pelo apoio inadequado dos pés e mãos ou pela maneira errada de se posicionar na cadeira, fatos percebidos durante a pesquisa. Desta forma, recomenda-se que a UNIFEI instrua os seus funcionários, de maneira geral, sobre ergonomia e como prevenir o surgimento de LER/DORT.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v3i2.132
Mensuração do Índice de Satisfação em um Curso de Graduação sob a Perspectiva dos Estudantes: Um Estudo no Curso de Secretariado Executivo da UFC
Authors: Araújo Daniel Fernandes de , Cabral Augusto Cézar de Aquino , Pitombeira Suzete Suzana Rocha , Roldan Vivianne Pereira Salas
Published: January 2013

As Instituições de Ensino Superior estão imersas em um ambiente competitivo, no qual a qualidade dos cursos é um fator fundamental. Na perspectiva da gestão acadêmica, importa, então, a avaliação contínua dos cursos, tendo em vista as métricas do sistema nacional de educação e as expectativas e percepções dos múltiplos stakeholders, em especial, dentre estes, o corpo discente. Tendo por objeto de estudo o curso de Secretariado Executivo da Universidade Federal do Ceará–UFC, esta pesquisa visa mensurar o nível de satisfação do corpo discente em relação ao curso de Secretariado Executivo da UFC, sendo para isso definido um Índice de Satisfação Global – ISG. Como objetivos específicos, procurou: 1) identificar os fatores que promovem a satisfação dos discentes com o curso; 2) identificar os fatores desfavoráveis à satisfação dos discentes com o curso. A pesquisa é quantitativa quanto à natureza, tendo sido realizada por meio de uma survey. Considerando-se o Índice de Satisfação Global – ISG, definido para a pesquisa, constatou-se que, em geral, a satisfação dos estudantes com o curso está situada no nível “satisfeito”. Como fatores favoráveis a esta satisfação, se destacaram os fatores relacionados à administração, relacionamento interpessoal, equipe de professores e mercado profissional. Elementos relacionados à estrutura de apoio se destacam como os fatores desfavoráveis à satisfação global dos estudantes com o curso.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v3i2.134
Impactos do Uso de Técnicas de Gerenciamento de Projetos na Realização de um Evento Educacional
Authors: Teixeira Gislaine Cristina dos Santos , Maccari Emerson Antonio , Kniess Cláudia Terezinha
Published: January 2013

A acirrada competição no setor educativo obriga as instituições de ensino superior privadas a reverem sua forma de gestão, pois a tradicional estratégia fragmentada, resultante do poder compartilhado e distribuído nas diversas áreas da academia, pode comprometer significativamente os resultados. As principais estratégias encontram-se de na base da pirâmide e são planejadas e executadas pelos gestores acadêmicos diante das dificuldades do cotidiano. Um dos grandes desafios vividos por organizações recém-constituídas, as startups, é organizar todos os seus projetos considerando planejamento latente e entrega simultânea. Nesse sentido, o gerenciamento de projetos tem se constituído como uma importante ferramenta de otimização de recursos e aumento da eficiência. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar os impactos do uso de técnicas simplificadas de gestão de projetos na operação acadêmica de uma startup educacional, mais especificamente na organização de um evento, uma aula especial com um dos maiores especialista internacional na prática do marketing. Trata-se de uma pesquisa-ação que em sua fase inicial identificou diversos problemas na execução dos eventos anteriores decorrentes da ausência de um responsável e de uma metodologia que organizasse a comunicação e as tarefas, nas fases que se seguiram, o pesquisador desenvolveu e executou os processos de gerenciamento de projetos simultaneamente à realização do evento. Os resultados apontaram que o uso de técnicas de gerenciamento de projetos impactou positivamente a realização do evento, principalmente no que tange a otimização e recursos e aumento do comprometimento da equipe com a qualidade do evento.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v3i2.135
Gestão Estratégica de Eventos a Partir da Rede de Valor
Authors: Piscopo Marcos Roberto
Published: January 2013

A produção de eventos contempla especialmente as fases de planejamento e execução e, depende do envolvimento de várias partes. Dessa forma, este artigo visa analisar as possibilidades de aplicação de estratégias baseadas na rede de valor às empresas produtoras de eventos. Para conduzir essa análise, adotou-se o Modelo Delta, visto que essa abordagem considera o escopo expandido da empresa e suas relações com os demais atores da rede de valor. Trata-se de um estudo de caso único, efetuado em uma empresa produtora de eventos cujas atividades são desempenhadas por meio de uma rede de valor. Os resultados demonstram que as estratégias baseadas na rede de valor apresentam consistência com as atividades de planejamento e produção de eventos. Adicionalmente, constatou-se que essas estratégias representam um meio potencial para o estabelecimento de diferenciais competitivos que são de difíceis de ser imitados pelos concorrentes.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v3i2.151
Editorial
Authors: Baptista Isabel Cristina
Published: January 2013

Editorial Vol. 3,N2 (2012)
Four empirical vocabulary test studies in the three dimensional framework
Authors: Mochizuki Masamichi
Published: January 2013

In this paper I would like to briefly overview vocabulary testing literature and discuss the four empirical studies conducted by Jeffrey Stewart, Rie Koizumi, Aaron Batty, and Tatsuo Iso, after placing them in the framework of the three dimensions of vocabulary knowledge: size, depth, and lexical accessibility.
Solid Catalysts and theirs Application in Biodiesel Production
Authors: Mat Ramli , Samsudin Rubyatul A. , Mohamed Mahadhir , Johari Anwar
Published: January 2013

The reduction of oil resources and increasing petroleum price has led to the search for alternative fuel from renewable resources such as biodiesel. Currently biodiesel is produced from vegetable oil using liquid catalysts. Replacement of liquid catalysts with solid catalysts would greatly solve the problems associated with expensive separation methods and corrosion problems, yielding to a cleaner product and greatly decreasing the cost of biodiesel production. In this paper, the development of solid catalysts and its catalytic activity are reviewed. Solid catalysts are able to perform trans-esterification and esterification reactions simultaneously and able to convert low quality oils with high amount of Free Fatty Acids. The parameters that effect the production of biodiesel are discussed in this paper. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
MoO3/SiO2-ZrO2 Catalyst: Eeffect of Calcination Temperature on Physico-chemical Properties and Activities in Nitration of Toluene
Authors: Kemdeo Sunil M.
Published: January 2013

12 wt % molybdena was deposited over 1:1 silica zirconia mixed oxide support and the resultant catalyst was calcined between the 500 to 700 oC range of temperature. The samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, BET, SEM, NH3-TPD and pyridine adsorbed FT-IR techniques.  Nitration of toluene was studied as a model reaction over the prepared catalysts and parameters like effect of reaction temperature, effect of various solvents, catalyst reusability are studied. It was found that conversion of toluene varies with the presence of Brönsted acid sites over the catalyst surface and para-nitrotoulene selectivity is associated with pore size of the catalyst. Over the same catalysts, nitration was extended for some other aromatics. Avoid of sulfuric acid in the present process is an interesting concern in view of green chemistry. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Synthesis and Characterization of Tin (IV) Tungstate Nanoparticles – A Solid Acid Catalyst
Authors: Sadanandan Manoj , Raveendran Beena
Published: January 2013

Tin (IV) tungstate, a tetravalent metal acid salt was synthesized in the nanoform by chemical coprecipitation method using EDTA as capping agent. The material was found to be stable in mineral acids, bases and organic solvents except  in HF and aquaregia. The material was characterized using EDS, TG/DTA, FTIR, XRD, SEM, HRTEM and BET surface area measurement. The molecular formula of the compound is 2SnO2 3WO3.5H2O determined from elemental analysis using TG/DTA. Surface morphology and particle size were obtained using SEM and HRTEM. The surface area was found to be 205-225m2/g. The Na+ exchange capacity found to be 3.8 meq/g, indicates the presence of surface hydroxyl group and hence the presence of Bronsted acid sites. The catalytic activity of the material was tested by using esterification and oxidation as model reactions. For the esterification of different alcohols, the percentage yield was found to be high for n-alcohol compared to isomeric alcohols. Oxidation of benzyl alcohol gives benzaldehyde and benzoic acid as the only products. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Effect of Preparation Methods on Al2O3 Supported CuO-CeO2-ZrO2 Catalysts for CO Oxidation
Authors: Rattan Gaurav , Prasad Ram , Katyal Ramesh C.
Published: January 2013

To examine the effect of preparation methods, four catalyst samples having same composition (CuCe5.17Zr3.83Ox/g-Al2O3 (15wt%) were prepared by four different methods for CO oxidation. The catalysts were prepared by co-impregnation, citric acid sol-gel, urea nitrate combustion and urea gelation co-precipitation methods, and characterized by BET, XRD, TGA/DSC and SEM. The The air oxidation of CO was carried out in a tubular fixed bed reactor under the following operating conditions: catalyst weight - 100 mg, temperature - ambient to 250 oC, pressure - atmospheric, 2.5% CO in air, total feed rate - 60 ml/min.  It was observed that the catalytic activity greatly influenced by the preparation methods. The highest activity of the catalyst prepared by the sol gel method appeared to be associated with its largest BET surface area. All the four catalysts were active for CO oxidation and did not show deactivation of catalytic activity for 50 hours of continuous runs. The ranking order of the preparation methods of the catalyst is as follows: sol-gel > co-impregnation > urea gelation > urea nitrate combustion. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Carbon Dioxide Adsorption by Calcium Zirconate at Higher Temperature
Authors: Kale K. B. , Raskar R. Y. , Rane V. H. , Gaikwad A. G.
Published: January 2013

The CO2 adsorption by calcium zirconate was explored at pre- and post- combustion temperature condition. The several samples of the calcium zirconate were prepared by different methods such as sol-gel, solid-solid fusion, template and micro-emulsion. The samples of the calcium zirconate were characterized by measurement of surface area, alkalinity/acidity, and recording the XRD patterns and SEM images. The CO2 adsorptions by samples of the calcium zirconate were studied in the temperature range 100 to 850 oC and the CO2 adsorptions were observed in the ranges of 6.88 to 40.6 wt % at 600 0C and 8 to 16.82 wt% at in between the temperatures 200 to 300 oC. The effect of Ca/Zr mol ratio in the samples of the calcium zirconate on the CO2 adsorption and alkalinity were discussed. The adsorbed moisture by the samples of the calcium zirconate was found to be useful for the CO2 adsorption. The promoted the samples of the calcium zirconate by K+, Na+, Rb+, Cs+, Ag+ and La3+ showed the increased CO2 adsorption. The exposure time of CO2 on the samples of the calcium zirconate showed the increased CO2 adsorption. The samples of the calcium zirconate were found to be regenerable and reusable several times for the adsorption of CO2 for at the post- and pre-combustion temperature condition. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Benzylation of Toluene over Iron Modified Mesoporous Ceria
Authors: Philo K. J. Rose , Sugunan Sugunan
Published: January 2013

Green chemistry has been looked upon as a sustainable science which accomplishes both economical and environmental goals, simultaneously.With this objective, we developed an alternative process to obtain the industrially important benzyl aromatics by benzylation of aromatics using benzyl chloride, catalysed by mesoporous solid acid catalysts. In this work mesoporous ceria is prepared using neutral surfactant which helped the calcination possible at a lower temperature enabling a higher surface area. Mesoporous ceria modified with Fe can be successfully utilized for the selective benzylation of toluene to more desirable product methyl diphenyl methane with 100% conversion and selectivity in 2 hours using only 50mg of the catalyst under milder condition. The reusability, regenerability, high selectivity, 100% conversion, moderate reaction temperature and absence of solvent, etc. make these catalysts to be used in a truly heterogeneous manner and make the benzylation reaction an environment friendly one. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Study of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Dilute Acid Pretreated Coconut Husk
Authors: Agustriyanto Rudy , Fatmawati Akbarningrum , Liasari Yusnita
Published: January 2013

Coconut husk is classified as complex lignocellulosic material that contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and some other extractive compounds. Cellulose from coconut husk can be used as fermentation substrate after enzymatic hydrolysis. In contrary, lignin content from the coconut husk will act as an inhibitor in this hydrolysis process. Therefore, a pretreatment process is needed to enhance the hydrolysis of cellulose. The objective of this research is to investigate the production of the glucose through dilute acid pretreatment and to obtain its optimum operating conditions. In this study, the pretreatment was done using dilute sulfuric acid in an autoclave reactor. The pretreatment condition were varied at 80°C, 100°C, 120°C and 0.9%, 1.2%, 1.5% for temperature and acid concentration respectively. The acid pretreated coconut husk was then hydrolyzed using commercial cellulase (celluclast) and β-glucosidase (Novozyme 188). The hydrolysis time was 72 hours and the operating conditions were varied at several temperature and pH. From the experimental results it can be concluded that the delignification temperature variation has greater influence than the acid concentration. The optimum operating condition was obtained at pH 4 and 50°C which was pretreated at 100°C using 1.5% acid concentration. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Process Parameters Optimization of Potential SO42-/ZnO Acid Catalyst for Heterogeneous Transesterification of Vegetable Oil to Biodiesel
Authors: Istadi Istadi , Anggoro Didi D. , Buchori Luqman , Utami Inshani , Solikhah Roikhatus
Published: January 2013

Among the possible renewable energy resources, diesel fuels derived from triglycerides of vegetable oils and animal fats have shown potential as substitutes for petroleum-based diesel fuels. The biodiesel could be produced from vegetable oils over homogeneous catalyst, heterogeneous catalyst, or enzymatic catalyst. In this study, the synthesized SO42-/ZnO catalyst was explored to be used in the heterogeneous biodiesel production by using the vegetable oils and methanol. The study began with the preparation of SO42-/ZnO catalyst followed by the transesterification reaction between vegetable oil with methanol. The independent variables (reaction time and the weight ratio of catalyst/oil) were optimized to obtain the optimum biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) yield. The results of this study showed that the acid catalyst SO42-/ZnO was potential to be used as catalyst for biodiesel production through heterogeneous transesterification of vegetable oils. Optimum operating condition for this catalytic reaction was the weight ratio of catalyst/oil of 8:1 and reaction time of 2.6 h with respect to 75.5% yield of methyl ester products. The biodiesel product was also characterized to identify the respected fatty acid methyl ester components. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) (Selected Paper from International Conference on Chemical and Material Engineering (ICCME) 2012)
Copolymerization of Carbon–carbon Double-bond Monomer (Styrene) with Cyclic Monomer (Tetrahydrofuran)
Authors: Sari Fouad , Ferrahi M. I. , Belbachir M.
Published: January 2013

We reported in this work that the cationic copolymerization in one step takes place between carbon–carbon double-bond monomer styrene with cyclic monomer tetrahydrofuran. The comonomers studied belong to different families: vinylic and cyclic ether. The reaction is initiated with maghnite-H+ an acid exchanged montmorillonite as acid solid ecocatalyst. Maghnite-H+ is already used as catalyst for polymerization of many vinylic and heterocyclic monomers. The oxonium ion of tetrahydrofuran and carbonium ion of styrene propagated the reaction of copolymerization. The acetic anhydride is essential for the maintenance of the ring opening of tetrahydrofuran and the entry in copolymerization. The temperature was kept constant at 40°C in oil bath heating for 6 hours. A typical reaction product was analyzed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and IR and the formation of the copolymer was confirmed. The reaction was proved by matched with analysis. The maghnite-H+ allowed us to obtain extremely pure copolymer in good yield by following a simples operational conditions. © 2012 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Do Patient Preferences for Core Outcome Domains for Chronic Gout Studies Support the Validity of Composite Response Criteria?
Authors: Taylor William J. , Brown Melanie , Aati Opetaia , Weatherall Mark , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine patient‐derived weights or prioritization for core outcome domains in chronic gout clinical studies.

Methods

Three patient groups participated in a conjoint decision‐making exercise using 1000Minds software, which asked participants to make repeated judgments regarding which of 2 hypothetical patients with gout represented the best response to treatment. Each scenario compared 2 patients on the basis of change in 2 of 5 core outcome domains at a time. Agreement of 80% of the group was required to answer each scenario. Re‐voting was performed once after discussion in instances of disagreement.

Results

The relative importance accorded to each outcome domain was different across the 3 groups of patients. There was some consistency that tophi was the least or second to least important outcome domain for every group and pain between attacks was ranked in the bottom third of priority for all groups. Gout attacks were ranked as the second or third most important domain in each group. However, the relative importance of serum urate (SUA) and activity limitations was quite different among the 3 groups, with 1 group ranking SUA as the most important outcome and 1 group ranking it as the second to least important outcome.

Conclusion

Despite some consistency in the relative value of some outcome domains for chronic gout studies, there is sufficient disagreement in the relative importance of other domains of outcome to challenge the validity of constructing a composite index of response that would be applicable to most gout patients.
Choosing Where to Put Your Energy: A Qualitative Analysis of the Role of Physical Activity in the Lives of Working Adults With Arthritis
Authors: Kaptein Simone A. , Backman Catherine L. , Badley Elizabeth M. , Lacaille Diane , Beaton Dorcas E. , Hofstetter Catherine , Gignac Monique A. M.
Published: January 2013

Objective

Research points to many potential benefits of physical activity (PA) for those with arthritis. However, PA has not typically been examined within the context of other life roles. This study examined the perceptions of PA among individuals managing arthritis in addition to employment and other role demands.

Methods

Eight focus groups were conducted with 24 women and 16 men (age range 29–72 years) who were currently or recently employed (within 2 years) and had osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis. Participants were recruited from community newspaper advertisements, rheumatology clinics, and arthritis groups. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

All groups discussed the impact of arthritis on a range of PAs. Overall, participants discussed PA as positively influencing their health and well‐being. Yet, several overarching themes highlighted the complexity of PA, including 1) PA as a potential cause of arthritis; 2) the reciprocal impact of arthritis on PA and PA on arthritis; 3) physical and psychological benefits and harms of PA, such as difficulty making PA decisions when living in pain or when faced with episodic symptoms; 4) perceived choices about engagement in PA (e.g., role overload); and 5) social support.

Conclusion

The relationships among work, health, and other roles were complex. Competing demands, pain, energy, episodic symptoms, support, and decisions to disclose one's illness at work influenced PA. Changes to PA not only affected physical health but also people's self‐identity. PA interventions may be improved by taking into account the demands of multiple life roles.
Fully Patterned Low‐Voltage Transparent Metal Oxide Transistors Deposited Solely by Chemical Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Faber Hendrik , Butz Benjamin , Dieker Christel , Spiecker Erdmann , Halik Marcus
Published: January 2013

All‐inorganic transparent thin‐film transistors deposited solely by the solution processing method of spray pyrolysis are reported. Different precursor materials are employed to create conducting and semiconducting species of ZnO acting as electrodes and active channel material, respectively, as well as zirconium oxide as gate dielectric layer. Additionally, a simple stencil mask system provides sufficient resolution to realize the necessary geometric patterns. As a result, fully functional low‐voltage n‐type transistors with a mobility of 0.18 cm2 V−1 s−1 can be demonstrated via a technique that bears the potential for upscaling. A detailed microscopic evaluation of the channel region by electron diffraction, high‐resolution and analytical TEM confirms the layer stacking and provides detailed information on the chemical composition and nanocrystalline nature of the individual layers.
Schizophrenia two‐hit hypothesis in velo‐cardio facial syndrome
Authors: Williams Hywel J. , Monks Stephen , Murphy Kieran C. , Kirov George , O'Donovan Michael C. , Owen Michael J.
Published: January 2013

Deletion of chr22q11 gives rise to velo‐cardio facial syndrome (VCFS) and increases schizophrenia risk. The source of this elevated risk although unknown could result from stochastic, environmental, or genetic factors, the latter encompassing a range of complexity from polygenic mechanisms to “second‐hit” mutations. For this study we tested the two‐hit hypothesis where additional risk is conferred through a second CNV. We identified large (>100 kb) CNVs in 48 VCFS cases (23 with psychosis—25 without) and show in the psychotic VCFS group there is a significant (P = 0.02) increase in the average size of CNVs (354–227 kb). To identify second‐hit loci we focused on individuals possessing gene‐centric CNVs and through literature mining identified 4 (31%) psychotic VCFS individuals (n = 13) that overlapped loci previously implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders compared to 1 (10%) from the non‐psychotic VCFS individuals (n = 10). For replication 17 VCFS patients with schizophrenia from the molecular genetics of schizophrenia dataset were used to identify further CNVs. Thirteen individuals possessing gene‐centric CNVs were identified including 3 (23%) individuals possessing a potential second‐hit, taking the overall total in the psychotic VCFS group (n = 26) to 7 (27%) potential second‐hit loci. Notably a deletion in a psychotic VCFS patient at 2q23.1 hit the gene MBD5 which when deleted gives rise to intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autistic features. Through this study we potentially extend this phenotypic spectrum to include schizophrenia. Our results suggest the two‐hit hypothesis may be relevant to a proportion of VCFS patients with psychosis but sample sizes are small and further studies warranted. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of natural rubber blended with waste rubber powder modified by both microwave and sol–gel method
Authors: Luo Mingchao , Liao Xiaoxue , Liao Shuangquan , Zhao Yanfang
Published: January 2013

Waste rubber powder (WRP) was modified by microwave, sol–gel method, and both microwave and sol–gel method, respectively. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR)/modified WRP composite were investigated. The influence of bis‐(3‐(triethoxysilyl)‐propyl)‐tetrasulfide (TESPT) content on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of vulcanizate was also studied. The results showed that NR/WRP modified by both microwave and sol–gel method composite owned the best mechanical properties. Rubber processing analyzer was used to characterize the interaction between silica and rubber chains and the dispersion of silica. With increase of TESPT content, the Payne effect decreased. Scanning electron microscopy indicated the coherency and homogeneity of in situ generated silica filled vulcanizate. Dynamic mechanical analyzer showed that NR/WRP modified by both microwave and sol–gel method composite with 5 phr TESPT exhibited the lower tan δ at temperature range of 50–80°C, compared with composite without TESPT and the higher tan δ at temperature of 0°C, compared with the conventional modification of WRP. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Tribological properties of porous PPS/PTFE composite filled with mesopore titanium oxide whisker
Authors: Zhu Yanji , Wang Guiying , Wang Huaiyuan , Zhang Shuai , Yang Shuhui
Published: January 2013

Nano‐micro hierarchical porous polyphenylene sulfide/polytetrafluoroethylene (PPS/PTFE) composites were prepared by mold‐leaching and vacuum melting process under high temperature condition. The tribological behaviors of porous PPS/PTFE composites and the synergism as a result of incorporation of both micro‐porogen (NaCl) and mesoporous TiO2 whiskers were investigated. The effects of mesoporous TiO2 whiskers and nonperforated TiO2 whiskers on the friction and wear properties of PPS/PTFE composites were comparatively studied, respectively. Results indicated that the wear rate of porous PPS/PTFE composites with 30 wt % NaCl and 7 wt % mesoporous TiO2 whiskers obtained the lowest values under the load of 100 N. Compared with pure PPS, the wear resistance of nano‐micro porous PPS/PTFE composite was enhanced by 6.45 × 103 times, showing outstanding wear resistance. During sliding condition, grease could be squeezed through the nano‐micro pores under the coupling effect of load and friction heat, and formed a lubricanting layer on friction surface, providing self‐lubricating effect and high wear resistance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Divergent Effects of Endogenous and Exogenous Glucocorticoid‐Induced Leucine Zipper in Animal Models of Inflammation and Arthritis
Authors: Ngo Devi , Beaulieu Elaine , Gu Ran , Leaney Alexandra , Santos Leilani , Fan Huapeng , Yang Yuanhang , Kao Wenping , Xu Jiake , Escriou Virginie , Loiler Scott , Vervoordeldonk Margriet J. , Morand Eric F.
Published: January 2013

Objective

Glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ) has effects on inflammatory pathways that suggest it to be a key inhibitory regulator of the immune system, and its expression is exquisitely sensitive to induction by glucocorticoids. We undertook this study to test our hypothesis that GILZ deficiency would exacerbate experimental immune‐mediated inflammation and impair the effects of glucocorticoids on inflammation and, correspondingly, that exogenous GILZ would inhibit these events.

Methods

GILZ−/− mice were generated using the Cre/loxP system, and responses were studied in delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH), antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA), K/BxN serum–transfer arthritis, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced cytokinemia. Therapeutic expression of GILZ via administration of recombinant adeno‐associated virus expressing the GILZ gene (GILZ‐rAAV) was compared to the effects of glucocorticoid in collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA).

Results

Increased T cell proliferation and DTH were observed in GILZ−/− mice, but neither AIA nor K/BxN serum–transfer arthritis was affected, and GILZ deficiency did not affect LPS‐induced cytokinemia. Deletion of GILZ did not impair the effects of exogenous glucocorticoids on CIA or cytokinemia. In contrast, overexpression of GILZ in joints significantly inhibited CIA, with an effect similar to that of dexamethasone.

Conclusion

Despite effects on T cell activation, GILZ deficiency had no effect on effector pathways of arthritis and was unexpectedly redundant with effects of glucocorticoids. These findings do not support the hypothesis that GILZ is central to the actions of glucocorticoids, but the efficacy of exogenous GILZ in CIA suggests that further evaluation of GILZ in inflammatory disease is required.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Expression Profile of Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast‐like Synoviocytes: A Novel Role of SH2 Domain–Containing Phosphatase 2 as a Modulator of Invasion and Survival
Authors: Stanford Stephanie M. , Maestre Michael F. , Campbell Amanda M. , Bartok Beatrix , Kiosses William B. , Boyle David L. , Arnett Heather A. , Mustelin Tomas , Firestein Gary S. , Bottini Nunzio
Published: January 2013

Objective

The fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) in the synovial intimal lining of the joint are key mediators of inflammation and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In RA, these cells aggressively invade the extracellular matrix, producing cartilage‐degrading proteases and inflammatory cytokines. The behavior of FLS is controlled by multiple interconnected signal transduction pathways involving reversible phosphorylation of proteins on tyrosine residues. However, little is known about the role of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in FLS function. This study was undertaken to explore the expression of all of the PTP genes (the PTPome) in FLS.

Methods

A comparative screening of the expression of the PTPome in FLS from patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) was conducted. The functional effect on RA FLS of SH2 domain–containing phosphatase 2 (SHP‐2), a PTP that was up‐regulated in RA, was then analyzed by knockdown using cell‐permeable antisense oligonucleotides.

Results

PTPN11 was overexpressed in RA FLS compared to OA FLS. Knockdown of PTPN11, which encodes SHP‐2, reduced the invasion, migration, adhesion, spreading, and survival of RA FLS. Additionally, signaling in response to growth factors and inflammatory cytokines was impaired by SHP‐2 knockdown. RA FLS that were deficient in SHP‐2 exhibited decreased activation of focal adhesion kinase and mitogen‐activated protein kinases.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that SHP‐2 has a novel role in mediating human FLS function and suggest that it promotes the invasiveness and survival of RA FLS. Further investigation may reveal SHP‐2 to be a candidate therapeutic target for RA.
On ranking relevant entities in heterogeneous networks using a language‐based model
Authors: Soulier Laure , Jabeur Lamjed Ben , Tamine Lynda , Bahsoun Wahiba
Published: January 2013

A new challenge, accessing multiple relevant entities, arises from the availability of linked heterogeneous data. In this article, we address more specifically the problem of accessing relevant entities, such as publications and authors within a bibliographic network, given an information need. We propose a novel algorithm, called BibRank, that estimates a joint relevance of documents and authors within a bibliographic network. This model ranks each type of entity using a score propagation algorithm with respect to the query topic and the structure of the underlying bi‐type information entity network. Evidence sources, namely content‐based and network‐based scores, are both used to estimate the topical similarity between connected entities. For this purpose, authorship relationships are analyzed through a language model‐based score on the one hand and on the other hand, non topically related entities of the same type are detected through marginal citations. The article reports the results of experiments using the Bibrank algorithm for an information retrieval task. The CiteSeerX bibliographic data set forms the basis for the topical query automatic generation and evaluation. We show that a statistically significant improvement over closely related ranking models is achieved.
Electricity production with living plants on a green roof: environmental performance of the plant‐microbial fuel cell
Authors: Helder Marjolein , Chen Wei‐Shan , van der Harst Eugenie J.M. , Strik David P.B.T.B.
Published: January 2013

Several renewable and (claimed) sustainable energy sources have been introduced into the market during the last century in an attempt to battle pollution from fossil fuels. Especially biomass energy technologies have been under debate for their sustainability. A new biomass energy technology was introduced in 2008: the plant‐microbial fuel cell (P‐MFC). In this system, electricity can be generated with living plants and thus bioelectricity and biomass production can be combined on the same surface. A green roof producing electricity with a P‐MFC could be an interesting combination. P‐MFC technology is nearing implementation in the market and therefore we assessed the environmental performance of the system with an early stage life cycle assessment (LCA). The environmental performance of the P‐MFC is currently worse than that of conventional electricity production technologies. This is mainly due to the limited power output of the P‐MFC and the materials presently used in the P‐MFC. Granular activated carbon (anode material), gold wires (current collectors), and Teflon‐coated copper wires (connecting anode and cathode) have the largest impact on environmental performance. Use of these materials needs to be reduced or avoided and alternatives need to be sought. Increasing power output and deriving co‐products from the P‐MFC will increase environmental performance of the P‐MFC. At this stage it is too early to compare the P‐MFC with other (renewable) energy technologies since the P‐MFC is still under development. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The times they are a‐changin’: the end of cheap oil and how it is changing our world
Authors: Dale Bruce E.
Published: January 2013

If we are to make wise choices for our future, we must understand how our lives have been affected by cheap oil
How will the changing biofuels market affect the development of bio‐based chemicals?
Authors: Aylott Matthew , Higson Adrian
Published: January 2013

The growth of the global market for biofuels has had a profound impact on the development of bio‐based chemicals. Not only has the growth of biofuels helped to create new markets for bio‐based chemicals, it has also led to new opportunities for co‐development and helped drive down costs by commercializing new technologies. Matthew Aylott and Adrian Higson from NNFCC consider how the market for biofuels is changing and what the implications might be for the future development of bio‐based chemicals.
Trophoblast differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Tiruthani Karthik , Sarkar Prasenjit , Rao Balaji
Published: January 2013

Molecular mechanisms regulating human trophoblast differentiation remain poorly understood due to difficulties in obtaining primary tissues from very early developmental stages in humans. Therefore, the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a source for generating trophoblast tissues is of significant interest. Trophoblast‐like cells have been obtained through treatment of hESCs with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) or inhibitors of activin/nodal/transforming growth factor‐β signaling, or through protocols involving formation of embryoid bodies (EBs); however, there is controversy over whether hESC‐derived cells are indeed analogous to true trophoblasts found in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of previously described efforts to obtain trophoblasts from hESCs. We also discuss the merits and limitations of hESCs as a source of trophoblast derivatives.
Conformational flexibility and loss of structural rigidity for a model hexapeptide, GRGDTP: 1H‐NMR and molecular dynamics studies
Authors: Kulkarni Ashok K. , Ojha Rajendra P.
Published: January 2013

The NMR and molecular dynamics methods are used to study the conformations of a hexapeptide, GRGDTP, which has been shown to be accessible to various types of cell‐adhesion based cellular behaviors such as cell‐to‐matrix interactions, cell differentiation, immunogenicity development, gene expression, angiogenesis, metastasis, sex determination and gamete fusion. 1H‐NMR results indicate the existence of weak 5→2 hydrogen bonded β‐turn type‐III. Molecular simulation studies using a mixed protocol of distance geometry, constrained minimization, restrained molecular dynamics followed by energy minimization resulted additional conformations that include about 64% of population of inverse γ‐turn (HB, 3→1) and about 35% population of γ‐turn (HB, 4→2). The inter‐proton distances observed in γ‐and inverse γ‐turns are also consistent with the NMR constraints. The variable internal hydrogen bonding due to γ‐turns initiated at Gly and Arg, and its tendency to inter‐convert between γ‐and inverse γ‐turn conformations imply that the peptide is flexible in nature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 99: 460–471, 2013.
Nucleotides sequestered at different subsite loci within DNA‐binding pockets of two OB‐fold single‐stranded DNA‐binding proteins are unstacked to different extents
Authors: Nguyen Hieu N. , Zhao Liang , Gray Carla W. , Gray Donald M. , Xia Tianbing
Published: January 2013

The gene 5 protein (g5p) encoded by the Ff strains of Escherichia coli bacteriophages is a dimeric single‐stranded DNA‐binding protein (SSB) that consists of two identical OB‐fold (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide‐binding) motifs. Ultrafast time‐resolved fluorescence measurements were carried out to investigate the effect of g5p binding on the conformation of 2‐aminopurine (2AP) labels positioned between adenines or cytosines in the 16‐nucleotide antiparallel tails of DNA hairpins. The measurements revealed significant changes in the conformational heterogeneity of the 2AP labels caused by g5p binding. The extent of the changes was dependent on sub‐binding‐site location, but generally resulted in base unstacking. When bound by g5p, the unstacked 2AP population increased from ∼22% to 59–67% in C‐2AP‐C segments and from 39% to 77% in an A‐2AP‐A segment. The OB‐fold RPA70A domain of the human replication protein A also caused a significant amount of base unstacking at various locations within the DNA binding site as evidenced by steady‐state fluorescence titration measurements using 2AP‐labeled 5‐mer DNAs. These solution studies support the concept that base unstacking at most of a protein's multiple sub‐binding‐site loci may be a feature that allows non‐sequence specific OB‐fold proteins to bind to single‐stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) with minimal preference for particular sequences. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 99: 484–496, 2013.
Enzyme‐enabled responsive surfaces for anti‐contamination materials
Authors: Wu Songtao , Buthe Andreas , Jia Hongfei , Zhang Minjuan , Ishii Masahiko , Wang Ping
Published: January 2013

Many real‐life stains have origins from biological matters including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that act as gluing agents binding along with other particulates or microbes to exposed surfaces of automobiles, furniture, and fabrics. Mimicking naturally occurring self‐defensive processes, we demonstrate in this work that a solid surface carrying partially exposed enzyme granules protected the surface in situ from contamination by biological stains and fingerprints. Attributed to the activities of enzymes which can be made compatible with a wide range of materials, such anti‐contamination and self‐cleaning functionalities are highly selective and efficient toward sticky chemicals. This observation promises a new mechanism in developing smart materials with desired anti‐microbial, self‐reporting, self‐cleaning, or self‐healing functions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1805–1810. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Real‐time monitoring of high‐gravity corn mash fermentation using in situ raman spectroscopy
Authors: Gray Steven R. , Peretti Steven W. , Lamb H. Henry
Published: January 2013

In situ Raman spectroscopy was employed for real‐time monitoring of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of corn mash by an industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An accurate univariate calibration model for ethanol was developed based on the very strong 883 cm−1 C–C stretching band. Multivariate partial least squares (PLS) calibration models for total starch, dextrins, maltotriose, maltose, glucose, and ethanol were developed using data from eight batch fermentations and validated using predictions for a separate batch. The starch, ethanol, and dextrins models showed significant prediction improvement when the calibration data were divided into separate high‐ and low‐concentration sets. Collinearity between the ethanol and starch models was avoided by excluding regions containing strong ethanol peaks from the starch model and, conversely, excluding regions containing strong saccharide peaks from the ethanol model. The two‐set calibration models for starch (R2 = 0.998, percent error = 2.5%) and ethanol (R2 = 0.999, percent error = 2.1%) provide more accurate predictions than any previously published spectroscopic models. Glucose, maltose, and maltotriose are modeled to accuracy comparable to previous work on less complex fermentation processes. Our results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy is capable of real time in situ monitoring of a complex industrial biomass fermentation. To our knowledge, this is the first PLS‐based chemometric modeling of corn mash fermentation under typical industrial conditions, and the first Raman‐based monitoring of a fermentation process with glucose, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides present. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1654–1662. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonsymmetrical Dithienylethenes Bearing Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene Units with Photochromic Performance in the Crystalline Phase
Authors: Wang Hongke , Lin Hui , Xu Wei , Zhu Daoben
Published: January 2013

Four novel nonsymmetrical photochromic diarylethene compounds containing dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene units were designed and synthesized to investigate their photochromic properties. All these molecules adopt a photoactive antiparallel conformation in single crystals, as revealed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, and exhibit excellent photochromism in solution as well as in the crystalline phase.