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The present research paper aims to analyze the spatial results of the expansion that Brazilian Federal Universities Network have presented between 2003 and 2018, looking forward the impacts and possibilities towards the achievement of urban and regional sustainable development. In economically obsolete or marginalized areas or in those with strong industrial dynamism or agribusiness production, these new campuses also can be understood as vehicles to promote economic security/growth, social equity and assure environmental integrity. Focusing in two empirical studies, based in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, besides the theoretical approach, in cities and regions of Bahia state which received two new universities, we present the economic contribution of the new campuses, the challenges and strategies to socially develop places with high amount of vulnerable population, and the environmental potentialities to build green campus, understood as a nature-based solution, and to implement the Sustainable Developing Goals

The flexed-arm hang (FAH) has been used to assess arm and shoulder girdle strength for 35 years despite little evidence to support its use. The purpose of this study was to determine what muscular fitness component, if any, was related to the FAIl. The traditional overgrip chin-above-bar test and 5 different variations were compared with absolute strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM] lat pull down), relative strength (1RM*[mass.sup.-1]), and muscle endurance (repetitions to failure at 70% of the 1RM). Sixty college-age women volunteered for the study. Relationships were examined using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. No significant relationship was found between any of the FAH variations and absolute strength or muscle endurance; however, all FAH variations correlated significantly with relative strength (1RM*[mass.sup.-1]). The strongest relationship was with the under-grip FAH timed to 90[degrees] of elbow extension (r = 0.72). Investigators concluded that the FAH is a test of weight-relative muscular strength and appears unrelated to absolute strength or muscle endurance. KEY WORDS. absolute strength, relative strength, muscle endurance

In two consecutive papers we study the stability of black lipid films against thermally induced hydrodynamic fluctuations. In the present part we develop a semiphenomenological theory of steric repulsion in these films. The model employs the statistical mechanical formulation of the van der Waals theory of simple liquid–vapor interfaces; it is based on the picture that upon diminishing the film thickness the adjacent interfacial layers start overlapping in the film center raising the degree of orientation of the hydrocarbon segments there. This causes a mutual repulsion of the two film surfaces. The general order parameter profile is found to depend on two parameters which can be determined from film compression measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the impact of the steric force (modeled in part I) on the linear dynamics of a thin lipid film with plane parallel surfaces at rest. We perform a stability analysis of the hydrodynamic fluctuations of the film, exposed to an external electric field. For long wavelengths, we find the stability of the film against bending to be governed by the total film tension. Stability against periodic thickness fluctuations (squeezing) is determined by the film elasticity. In both cases, sterics counteracts the destabilizing action of the van der Waals and electrostatic forces. We establish a diagram which displays the regimes of film stability as a function of film thickness and electric cross film potential. The film is predicted to be stable against squeezing for film thickness smaller than a critical film thickness (of the order of 60 Å). The latter depends slightly on the applied voltage. Voltages larger than 190 mV trigger bending of low tension films (single interface tension: 0.05 dyn/cm) above and just below the critical squeezing thickness. For these voltages, bending of the film is prevented only by reducing the film thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Expression of p16 is a marker for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinogenesis in head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine if p16 immunoreactivity is associated with aberrant expression of components of the PI3 kinase pathway. Methods. A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed for 46 archived tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma specimens. Clinical demographics of these patients were analyzed, and the TMA was interrogated with antibodies directed against p16, phosphorylated AktSer473, phosphorylated S6Ser240/244, phosphorylated S6Ser235/236, phosphorylated 4E-BP1Thr37/46, phosphorylated eIF4ESer209, PTEN, p21, and p53. Results. There was a significant correlation between history of tobacco abuse (>10 pack/years) and absence of p16 expression ( p = .01). Expression of p16 was significantly associated with immunoreactivity of p21 ( p = .02), PTEN ( p = .02), and phosphorylated eIF4E ( p = .03). There was no evidence of association between p16 status and expression of phosphorylated S6, phosphorylated 4E-BP1, or p53. Conclusion. p16 positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by expression of phosphorylated eIF4E that may occur via a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-independent mechanism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute rejection reactions and the development of graft arterial disease are serious limitations after transplantation. Both are connected to the expression of adhesion molecules on the activated microvascular endothelium of the allograft. Methods: siRNA-mediated silencing of ESELE, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 on human cardiacmicrovascular cells (HCMEC) was investigated in order to inhibit leukocyte-endothelial interactions. HCMEC were investigated for the time-dependent expression of ESELE, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 after TNF-a stimulation and for siRNA mediated suppression using a nonviral transfecting approach. Furthermore, the effects of siRNA transfection on leukocyte binding to the endotheliumwere analyzed. Results: Transfection with siRNA induced a significant suppression of adhesion molecule expression, regardless of whether there had been a prior single or cocktail transfection of the sequences (p < 0.05). The quantity of attaching leukocytes was significantly reduced after an equal silencing of adhesion molecules (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This investigation demonstrates that liposomal transfection of HCMEC with specific siRNA sequences is capable of both repressing adhesion molecule expression and of reducing subsequent leukocyte-endothelial actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The joint research project CLEAN is a German research and development (R&D) alliance of 16 partners from science and industry. The main theme of this pilot project is to enhance gas recovery (EGR) by injection of CO2 into an almost depleted natural gas field. The research focus is on the assessment of all processes associated with the injection. At the same time the CO2 long-term storage security of Europe’s second largest onshore gas field is analysed and evaluated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we present a new concept developed to improve the abandonment procedure of wellbores in depleted hydrocarbon fields, amongst others in Enhanced Gas Recovery (EGR) operations. The sealing concept is designed for the long-term containment of CO2 and considers the creep ability of deep Permian Zechstein salt formations in about 3,000 m depth. It is designed to amend the current standard abandonment procedure and consists of (a) an expansive gel filling in the reservoir formation, (b) a sealing element with cement extending to the impermeable caprock and (c) a salt plug as the major long-term sealing component, compatible in its composition and property to the surrounding caprock (halite). The focus of the project work described here is to develop and to model the last-mentioned long-term salt sealing element. Numerical results show that the creep ability of the mentioned salt formations can close a formerly reamed well section and hence recover the geological salt barrier with or even without using a crushed salt backfill. A field test is conducted in the North German Altmark Rotliegend gas field (Sachsen Anhalt) in order to study the technical feasibility for recovering the initial caprock integrity, to verify numerical models and to proof the sealing capability and therefore the sealing concept. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Hydrotin-C is a bacterial cellulose consisting of 90% of physiological solution. The cellulose pad is smooth and elastic and cannot be torn, and is therefore suitable for use on any local skin condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality (IQ) and transducer pressure of Hydrotin-C-Pads as a solid coupling agent compared with standard coupling gel. Methods: To date, transthoracic echocardiography has been performed in 51 patients (ongoing study) using standard coupling gel and Hydrotin-C-Pads. The IQ was categorized as follows: 1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = poor, 4 = inadequate. All patients were questioned about the transducer pressure, which was categorized as: 0 = less, 1 = equal, 2 = more. The body mass index (BMI) was documented for all patients. Results: The IQ was very good with Hydrotin-C-Pads. The IQ was better in 84% of all patients. In patients with a BMI of over 25 and in patients with a BMI of over 30, Hydrotin-C-Pads was also better compared with standard gel. The transducer pressure was lower in 33 patients. Conclusions: Hydrotin-C-Pads can be used as a solid ultrasonic coupling agent. Because of the consistent thickness of the coupling zone, the IQ seems to be better for Hydrotin-C-Pads compared with standard coupling gel. The transducer presser is lower, and these pads are easy to apply and are reusable and reduce the burden of clean-up after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jochen Reinbold,1 Teresa Hierlemann,1 Lukas Urich,1 Ann-Kristin Uhde,1 Ingrid Müller,2 Tobias Weindl,3 Ulrich Vogel,4 Christian Schlensak,1 Hans Peter Wendel,1 Stefanie Krajewski1 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, 2Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Science, Albstadt, 3Aimecs® GmbH Medical Solutions, Pfarrkirchen, 4Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Tübingen, Germany Abstract: Polypropylene mesh implants are routinely used to repair abdominal wall defects or incisional hernia. However, complications associated with mesh implantation, such as mesh-related infections, can cause serious problems and may require complete surgical removal. Hence, the aim of the present study was the development of a safe and efficient coating to reduce postoperative mesh infections. Biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide acid) microspheres loaded with rifampicin as an antibacterial agent were prepared through single emulsion evaporation method. The particle size distribution (67.93±3.39 µm for rifampicin-loaded microspheres and 64.43±3.61 µm for unloaded microspheres) was measured by laser diffraction. Furthermore, the encapsulation efficiency of rifampicin (61.5%±2.58%) was detected via ultraviolet–visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy. The drug release of rifampicin-loaded microspheres was detected by UV/Vis spectroscopy over a period of 60 days. After 60 days, 92.40%±3.54% of the encapsulated rifampicin has been continuously released. The viability of BJ fibroblasts after incubation with unloaded and rifampicin-loaded microspheres was investigated using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, which showed no adverse effects on the cells. Furthermore, the antibacterial impact of rifampicin-loaded microspheres and mesh implants, coated with the antibacterial microspheres, was investigated using an agar diffusion model with Staphylococcus aureus. The coated mesh implants were also tested in an in vivo mouse model of staphylococcal infection and resulted in a 100% protection against mesh implant infections or biofilm formation shown by macroscopic imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and histological examinations. This effective antibacterial mesh coating combining the benefit of a controlled drug delivery system and a potent antibacterial agent possesses the ability to significantly reduce postoperative implant infections. Keywords: postoperative infections, drug delivery system, antibacterial implant coating, Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic

In modern intensive care a comprehensive solution for monitoring the coagulation status or blood clotting problems is currently not available, because fast reliable detection of all bleeding-based disorders (coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet function) cannot be conducted with a single medical device. This situation calls for a comprehensive technical solution, which we think possible to be solved with a rheological piezo-based system. Rheological measurements provide valuable information on the viscoelastic properties of complex fluids. Here, we compared the performance of a commercially available rheological industrial device using shear stress (Kinexus Pro, Malvern) with that of a piezo-based research measuring system (piezoelectric axial vibrator, PAV) applying squeeze flow to sample fluids. Comparative measurements using different xanthan concentrations (0.1 to 5%) were carried out at 25 and 37 °C. At higher concentrations (1, 2, and 5%), there was an overlapping frequency range and a consistent range of the viscous and elastic shear viscosity for both systems, allowing direct comparisons. Specifically the lower concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5% xanthan could be used to assess the possibility of both systems to measure blood coagulation, as those concentrations correspond approximately to the viscosity of human blood. Measurement of blood coagulation was then also tested with the PAV. Measurement repeatability was assessed performing blood coagulation measurements over time at different frequencies (10, 100, 300, and 1000 Hz). The middle frequencies of 100 and 300 Hz provided the most repeatable results for blood. Afterwards the activated clotting time (ACT) was performed with PAV at 300 Hz. The piezo-based measuring system was able to differentiate between various heparin blood concentrations (1, 2, and 3 IU/ml). In this study the reliability, repeatability and limitations of the piezo system were examined. Our initial results showed that the piezo system can be used to assess blood coagulation, but further studies are necessary to confirm these promising results. The aim of a fast, small and reliable point-of-care system may be possible with this type of rheological device.