Tailoring of structures and permeation properties of asymmetric nanocomposite cellulose acetatesilver membranes

Cellulose acetate (CA)-silver (Ag) nanocomposite asymmetric membranes were prepared via the wet-phase inversion method by dispersing polyvinylpirrolydone-protected Ag nanoparticles in the membrane casting solutions of different compositions. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized ex situ and added to the casting solution as a concentrated aqueous colloidal dispersion. The effects of the dispersion addition on the structure and on the selective permeation properties of the membranes were studied by comparing the nanocomposites with the silver-free materials. The casting solution composition played an important role in the adequate dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the membrane. Incorporation of nanoscale silver and the final silver content resulted in structural changes leading to an increase in the hydraulic permeability and molecular weight cut-off of the nanocomposite membranes. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41796.

Structured and unstructured continuous models for Wolbachia infections

We introduce and investigate a series of models for an infection of a diplodiploid host species by the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. The continuous models are characterized by partial vertical transmission, cytoplasmic incompatibility and fitness costs associated with the infection. A particular aspect of interest is competitions between mutually incompatible strains. We further introduce an age-structured model that takes into account different fertility and mortality rates at different stages of the life cycle of the individuals. With only a few parameters, the ordinary differential equation models exhibit already interesting dynamics and can be used to predict criteria under which a strain of bacteria is able to invade a population. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the age-structured model shows significant differences concerning the existence and stability of equilibrium solutions compared to the unstructured model.

Estudio de la reacción valorativa frente a la actividad, el arte, y la técnica.

Estudio de la reacción valorativa de estudiantes de ambos sexos, entre 13 y 21 años, desde octavo de EGB a tercer curso universitario, frente a tres realidades concretas: actividad, técnica y arte. Comprobar la consistencia de los tres códigos: actividad, técnica y arte. Población: alumnos de ambos sexos, entre 13 y 21 años de octavo de EGB, BUP, COU y primer ciclo universitario de centros públicos del distrito universitario de Oviedo. Muestra: 2003 sujetos -783 varones y 1220 mujeres-. Tipo muestreo: estratificado por niveles educativos. Modelo de tipo cuasi experimental. Variables independientes: nivel educativo -de octavo de EGB a tercer curso universitario-, edad -de 13 a 21 años-, sexo -hombre, mujer-. Variables dependientes: intensidad en la actividad, intensidad técnica, intensidad artística, sentido de la actividad, sentido de la técnica, sentido en el arte. Test de Reacción Valorativa (TRV) de García Hoz del cual sólo se utilizan los códigos o áreas de: actividad, técnica y arte. Análisis estadístico: medidas de tendencia central y de variabilidad entre medias, comparando estas dos a dos -edad y sexo. Nivel educativo y sexo-. Representación gráfica de éstas medidas. Análisis de varianza obtenido en los códigos: actividad, técnica y arte en las mujeres y en los hombres, atendiendo a las variables edad y nivel educativo para conocer si había diferencias significativas. Correlaciones entre intensidad y sentido de la reacción valorativa de los codigos estudiados controlando las variables: sexo, edad y nivel educativo. Correlación de cada palabra con el código al que pertenece. Correlación de las palabras entre sí. Las mujeres estiman más que los hombres los valores artísticos. Las mujeres y los hombres estiman por igual los valores del código actividad. Los hombres estiman más los valores técnicos entre 13 y 15 años, de 15 a 21 años no se aprecian diferencias. En las mujeres no influye ni la edad ni el nivel educativo en la valoración del código: técnica. Lo mismo ocurre en los hombres en el código: actividad. El nivel educativo influye más, tanto en los hombres como en las mujeres, en el campo de los valores artísticos. Se comprueba la consistencia de los códigos. El Test de Reacción Valorativa (TRV) sirve para una orientación, tanto escolar como profesional ya que posee un gran potencial como medio para ensanchar los horizontes profesionales.

The application of a domains based analysis to family processes: implications for assessment and therapy

Social domains are classes of interpersonal processes each with distinct procedural rules underpinning mutual understanding, emotion regulation and action. We describe the features of three domains of family life – safety, attachment and discipline/expectation – and contrast them with exploratory processes in terms of the emotions expressed, the role of certainty versus uncertainty, and the degree of hierarchy in an interaction. We argue that everything that people say and do in family life carries information about the type of interaction they are engaged in – that is, the domain. However, sometimes what they say or how they behave does not make the domain clear, or participants in the social interactions are not in the same domain (there is a domain mismatch). This may result in misunderstandings, irresolvable arguments or distress. We describe how it is possible to identify domains and judge whether they are clear and unclear, and matched and mismatched, in observed family interactions and in accounts of family processes. This then provides a focus for treatment and helps to define criteria for evaluating outcomes.

Utilização de polímero hidroabsorvente no meloeiro (Cucumis melon L.) sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação

This work was carried out to evaluate the use of a hydrogel polymer in melon crop under different irrigation depths, with the objective of improve water retention, and efficiency of water and nutrient utilization by plants. One trial consisted of two treatments with four replications: a treatment with irrigation depth corresponding to 75% of gross depth and 27g of the soil conditioner per plant; the control with irrigation depth equal to the gross depth and without conditioner. The following characteristics were evaluated: root length, yield and quality of melon fruits. Root growth was bigger in the plants where soil conditioner was used. Use of soil conditioner provided an increase on melon yield and number of fruits per linear meter. Mean fruit weight and total soluble solids were not influenced by soil conditioner application and irrigation depth reduction.

Atopic dermatitis: correlation between non-damaged skin barrier function and disease activity

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatosis, predominant in childhood, characterized by pruritus and eczematous-type lesions with xerosis as the prominent clinical sign. Objectives To analyze the correlation between biophysical measurements of skin barrier function and other assessment criteria of clinical severity according to Rajka and Langelands criteria. Methods Biophysical measurements [transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and corneometry] were obtained from 120 patients with the diagnosis of AD. Serum levels of IgE were also evaluated. Results A significant correlation between corneometry, TEWL, and clinical severity of AD was found. Data showed an inverse correlation between corneometry, TEWL, and AD severity, and a significant difference (P < 0.001) between mean of corneometry and TEWL and AD severity (mild, moderate, and severe). As for IgE levels, corneometry had significant negative correlation, in contrast with TEWL, which showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001). Conclusion Biophysical measurements of skin barrier in non-lesional skin of AD may work as an evaluation factor for AD severity.

Identification and expression of different dehydrin subclasses involved in the drought response of Trifolium repens

Reverse transcribed RNAs coding for YnKn, YnSKn, SKn, and KS dehydrin types in drought-stressed white clover (Trifolium repens) were identified and characterized. The nucleotide analyses revealed the complex nature of dehydrin-coding sequences, often featured with alternative start and stop codons within the open reading frames, which could be a prerequisite for high variability among the transcripts originating from a single gene. For some dehydrin sequences, the existence of natural antisense transcripts was predicted. The differential distribution of dehydrin homologues in roots and leaves from a single white clover stolon under normal and drought conditions was evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblots with antibodies against the conserved K-, Y- and S-segments. The data suggest that different dehydrin classes have distinct roles in the drought stress response and vegetative development, demonstrating some specific characteristic features. Substantial levels of YSK-type proteins with different molecular weights were immunodetected in the non-stressed developing leaves. The acidic SK2 and KS dehydrin transcripts exhibited some developmental gradient in leaves. A strong increase of YK transcripts was documented in the fully expanded leaves and roots of drought-stressed individuals. The immunodetected drought-induced signals imply that Y- and K-segment containing dehydrins could be the major inducible Late Embryogenesis Abundant class 2 proteins (LEA 2) that accumulate predominantly under drought.