Search

Fe(II) and Ni(II) paraCEST contrast agents containing the di-pyridine macrocyclic ligand 2,2',2″-(3,7,10-triaza-1,5(2,6)-dipyridinacycloundecaphane-3,7,10-triyl)triacetamide (DETA) are reported here. Both [Fe(DETA)]

The first crystal structure of a metal complex with the naturally occurring myo-inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate (Ins(1,2,3)P3) is reported and interpreted with reference to the supramolecular environments of natural compounds.

Moringa stenopetala is a tropical tree from the Moringaceae family, native to north-east Africa, that has widespread to many countries. It is highly valued for the associated nutritional and medicinal properties. The nutritional value of South American Moringa stenopetala was assessed in this work, giving some deeper insight into the expected biological accessibility of the main nutrients present in raw leaves and prepared infusions. Metal ions were determined by FAAS; L-ascorbic acid, leucine, and tryptophan by LC-DAD; rutin, isoquercitrin and neochlorogenic acid by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Metal ions content in analyzed specimens was in the same order of previously reported data, except for lower values for iron, probably associated to the different soil composition. Tested amino acids were also found in the previously reported range, while higher contents of L-ascorbic acid, rutin and neochlorogenic acid were determined. Interestingly, transfer factors to infusions resulted especially low for magnesium, calcium, iron, and L-ascorbic acid, indicating that the way of consumption exerts a strong influence on the nutritional value of the vegetal material. Chemical speciation modeling experiments to predict bioaccessibility showed that sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium ions to be predominantly free. On the other hand, the micronutrients are predicted to be partly associated to polyphenolic compounds. Finally, the antioxidant activity was studied both in the vegetal material and the prepared infusions by the ORAC assay, both showing relevant antioxidant activity probably associated to the high rutin content. This biomolecule, together with other polyphenolic compounds present, are expected to partially retain metal ions in solution, also contributing to the antioxidant beneficial properties of Moringa stenopetala.

Popular wisdom has it that excessive material wealth leads to decreased prosocial behavior. This notion has empirical support in the literature, but there are open questions about how strong, specific, and general this effect is. Here, we aimed to test the hypothesis that increased SES is associated with decreased prosocial behavior in a high-powered laboratory task. We find thatthere are no statistically significant differences in generosity as a function of social class. However, there are subtle - yet statistically significant - patterns linking SES and dark triad personality traits. We conclude that the relationship between SES and social behavior isconsiderably more nuanced than commonly believed.

We wanted to validate commonly used instruments to measure psychopathic tendencies in a college student population. To do so, we administered both the “Dark Triad Dirty Dozen” and the "Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale" to a high-powered sample of college students. Participants also performed a social discounting task to measure generosity. We correlated all of these measures and found that both instruments correlate well and negatively with generosity. We take these findings to indicate that both instruments are valid measures of psychopathic tendencies in non-institutionalized populations.

The recognition of rivers and related ecosystems as legal persons or subjects is an emerging mechanism in transnational practice available to governments in seeking more effective and collaborative natural resource management, sometimes at the insistence of indigenous peoples. This approach is developing particularly quickly in Colombia, where legal rights for rivers and ecosystems are grasping onto, and evolving out of, constitutional human rights protections. This enables the development of a new type of constitutionalism of nature. Yet legal rights for rivers may obscure the rights of indigenous peoples and their role in resource ownership and governance. We argue that the Colombian river cases serve as a caution to courts and legislatures elsewhere to be mindful, in devising ecosystem rights, of the complex and interrelated rights, interests and tenures of indigenous peoples and local communities.

Heteropolynuclear metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of the general formula [Ln2Ni3(oda)6(H2O)6]·xH2O (oda = oxydiacetate, Ln = +3 rare earth ion) were synthesized and characterized. Most of them bear a honeycomb structure with 1D channels containing 11 to 14 crystallization water molecules per formula unit. The size of the channels and the number of crystallization water molecules they contain decrease as the Ln ionic radii become smaller along the series from La to Tm. In addition, the water content changes reversibly with temperature and relative humidity conditions. Accordingly, the as-synthesized [Tm2Ni3(oda)6(H2O)6]·11H2O picks up water when exposed to a 100% relative humidity atmosphere to become [Tm2Ni3(oda)6(H2O)6]·14H2O. Computational calculations show the formation of a hydrogen bond network in which layers of water molecules are arranged and associated primarily to the polar groups of the framework walls, anticipating good proton conduction along the [001] channels. Furthermore, higher confinement of water molecules in the smaller channels could favor the water molecules' mobility. Indeed, the proton conductivity of [Tm2Ni3(oda)6(H2O)6]·14H2O is 2.43 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 70 °C, similar to that of standard conductive MOF-based materials reported. A vehicular carrier mechanism by means of H3O+ species diffusing along the 1D channels of the porous structure seems to be operative, with a high activation energy value of 1.46 eV.

Objetivo: Identificar o perfil dos acidentes de trabalho envolvendo a equipe de enfermagem em hospitais. Método: Estudo de revisão sistemática da literatura realizada no primeiro semestre de 2019. Pesquisou-se às principais bases de dados na área da Saúde: Medline/PubMed e LI-LACS, no período de 2009 a 2019. Resultados: Foram analisados 57 artigos científicos. Dentre os tipos de acidentes mais prevalentes evidenciados pelos estudos analisados, observaram-se acidentes com materiais perfurocortantes e materiais biológicos, sendo a prevalência de 63% e 38%, respectivamente. Acidente com exposição a agentes químicos foi apontado em somente dois estudos (3,57%). Em 81,2% dos estudos, acidentes associados aos riscos ergonômicos foram evidenciados como menos prevalentes. Conclusão: Houve um predomínio de acidentes de trabalho envolvendo materiais perfurocortantes e materiais biológicos. Este fator corrobora para a reflexão da necessidade de estratégias de contenção desse alarmante dado estatístico, com objetivo contribuir para melhora da qualidade de vida dos profissionais no trabalho. Objetivo: Identificar el perfil de los accidentes de trabajo que involucran al equipo de enfermería en los hospitales. Método: Un estudio sistemático de revisión de la literatura realizado en el primer semestre de 2019. Se buscaron las principales bases de datos en el área de salud: Medline/PubMed y LILACS, de 2009 a 2019. Resultados: Se analizaron cincuenta y siete artículos científicos. Entre los tipos más frecuentes de accidentes evidenciados por los estudios analizados, se observaron accidentes con materiales de corte penetrante y materiales biológicos, con una prevalencia del 63% y el 38%, respectivamente. Los accidentes con exposición a agentes químicos se señala-ron en sólo dos estudios, el 3,57%. En el 81,2% de los estudios, se demostró que los accidentes asociados con riesgos ergonómicos eran menos frecuentes. Conclusión: Hubo un predominio de accidentes de trabajo que involucran materiales afilados y materiales biológicos. Este factor corrobora el reflejo de la necesidad de estrategias para contener estos alarmantes datos estadísticos, con el objetivo de contribuir a la mejora de la calidad de vida de los profesionales en el trabajo. Objective: To identify the profile of work accidents involving the nursing team in hospitals. Method: A systematic literature review study conducted in the first semester of 2019. The main databases in the health area were searched: Medline/PubMed and LILACS, from 2009 to 2019. Results: Fifty-seven scientific articles were analyzed. Among the most prevalent types of accidents evidenced by the studies analyzed, accidents with piercing-cutting materials and biological materials were observed, with a prevalence of 63% and 38%, respectively. Accidents with exposure to chemical agents were pointed out in only two studies, 3.57%. In 81.2% of the studies, accidents associated with ergonomic risks were shown to be less prevalent. Conclusion: There was a predominance of work accidents involving sharp materials and biological materials. This factor corroborates the reflection of the need for strategies to contain this alarming statistical data, with the objective of contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of professionals at work.

Muscle growth is regulated by several factors including the growth differentiation factor 8, known as myostatin, an inhibitor of myocyte differentiation and proliferation. Research on myostatin regulation was already conducted to improve growth rates in farmed animals, including aquatic species. To explore the effects of myostatin inactivation in a commercial marine fish (spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus) in vivo, we induced post-transcriptional silencing (knockdown) of myostatin-1 (mstn-1) by injecting dsiRNA directly into the muscle of juvenile fish (87 days post-hatch) using a commercial polymer as vehicle. Results show a significant decrease in mstn-1 expression starting at 2 days after injection and for up to 5 days. Knockdown of mstn-1 caused muscle fiber hypertrophy (but not hyperplasia); however, there were no significant changes in weight or length. Although still experimental, this study provides evidence that temporary knockdown of mstn-1 in a commercial marine fish in vivo promotes fiber hypertrophy and therefore could potentially help grow-out programmes in fish aquaculture.

Two flexible ligands derived from iminodiacetic acid, N-methlyiminodiacetic acid (H2mida) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (H2hida) have been used as ligands towards lanthanide ions. Potentiometric studies (25.0 °C, 0.50 mol L−1 Me4NCl) revealed the predominance of stable species at acidic pH values. With this information, the synthesis of the coordination compounds was afforded in aqueous solution and the polymeric solids [Sm(Hmida)2(H2O)2]ClO4·1/6NaClO4·9H2O and [Ln(hida)(H2O)2](F3CSO3)·H2O (Ln = Ho, Yb) were prepared and characterized. The samarium compound consists of a cationic 2D polymeric structure in which the ligand is protonated in the N atom, preventing coordination to the central atom. The structure presents channels along one crystallographic direction. Ho and Yb coordination compounds are isostructural. A 2D polymeric cationic network is also observed. In this case, the additional hydroxyethyl group and the unprotonated N atom participate in the coordination.

In radiobiology experiments, that usually entail unique irradiation geometries, it is necessary to know properly the absorbed doses involved. It is difficult to find them out, due to the differences between these irradiation conditions and the reference conditions in which the absorbed dose is measured by the usual ionometric procedures. The aim of this study is to check the EBT3 radiochromic film as a dosimetric system for x-ray beams used in radiobiology experiments. The film has been calibrated in different energy photon beams, so its energy independence has been proved. Afterwards it has been used to evaluate the absorbed dose in two radiobiology experiments: first one required the irradiation of flowers, while in the second, mice with implanted tumors were irradiated. In both cases EBT3 radiochromic film has shown to be a suitable tool for measuring the absorbed dose in this kind of experiments.

3D printing is an emerging technology that many believe will revolutionize manufacturing, supply chains and global product consumption. This study uses a new framework, the ladder of inclusive innovation, to analyze whether 3D printing is an inclusive innovation. The interviews with 3D printer users and innovators in Brazil show that 3D printers are not being used or purchased by marginalized communities because the technology is expensive, and it requires a steep learning curve. However, the technology is changing the process, structure, and post-structural discussions surrounding innovation for marginalized communities. Overall, there are aspects of 3D printing develop that are inclusive innovation, but there are significant barriers that prevent the technology from having a broad impact on society. The results of the study will help make innovations more inclusive for marginalized groups around the world. Abstract in Portuguese A impressao 3D e uma tecnologia emergente a qual muitos acreditam que vai revolucionar a manufatura, as cadeias de suprimentos e o consumo de produtos globais. Este estudo utiliza uma nova estrutura, a escada da inovacao inclusiva, para analisar se a impressao 3D e uma inovacao inclusiva. Atraves de entrevistas com usuarios de impressoras 3D e inovadores no Brasil, descobrimos que impressoras 3D nao estao sendo adotadas por comunidades marginalizadas porque a tecnologia e cara e exige uma curva de aprendizado ingreme. No entanto, a tecnologia altera os processo, a estrutura e as discussoes pos-estruturais que envolvem a inovacao para as comunidades marginalizadas. Em geral, existem aspectos da impressao 3D que podem considera-la como uma inovacao inclusiva, mas existem barreiras significativas que impedem a tecnologia de ter um amplo impacto sobre a sociedade. Os resultados do estudo ajudarao a tornar as inovacoes mais inclusivas para grupos marginalizados em todo o mundo.

As a fundamental part of their chemical education, first-year undergraduate students are substantially involved in laboratory activities. Despite the specific teaching staff choices on the main laboratory aims, students normally receive a vast amount of information during these activities. Apart from understanding theoretical content, fundamental skills such as manipulation, data collection and interpretation should be developed. In this context, learners could feel overwhelmed since they can only process a few pieces of information at a time. Indeed, our experience at theUniversidad de la República(Uruguayan public university) shows that many first-year students are in fact not able to cope with all the information they receive during laboratory activities. As a result, many of them only follow the experimental protocol automatically, without gaining significant knowledge or developing the necessary skills. In this work, we assessed the use of new online interactive pre-laboratory activities implemented for 252 first-year university students enrolled in a 12-module General Chemistry laboratory course. The student choice of interactiveversusmore traditional material was evaluated together with observed preferences regarding the different interactive tools offered. Besides, an online pre-laboratory discussion forum was also implemented and assessed. Both the interactive material and the discussion forum were chosen freely by the majority of students (61% and 79%, respectively). Interestingly, the choice was to some extent modulated by student previous performance. Interactive pre-laboratory material was more frequently chosen by low previous performance students, whereas pre-laboratory forum was preferentially used by high previous performance students. Finally, the influence of these new materials on student laboratory performance was statistically analyzed. Other personal and academic variables were also taken into account. Interactive material access was positively correlated with the final laboratory marks for medium previous performance learners. On the other hand, for lower previous performance students, the academic discussion between teachers and partners promoted by the online forum was positively correlated with their academic performance.

The aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene was done using the heterometallic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) {[La2Cu3(&mu, H2O)(ODA)6(H2O)3]&sdot, 3H2O}n (LaCuODA)) (1) and {[La2Co3(ODA)6(H2O)6]∙12H2O}n (LaCoODA) (2) as catalysts, in solvent free conditions (ODA, oxydiacetic acid). After 24 h of reaction, the catalytic system showed that LaCoODA had a better catalytic performance than that of LaCuODA (conversion 85% and 67%). The structures of both catalysts were very similar, showing channels running along the c axis. The physicochemical properties of both MOFs were determined to understand the catalytic performance. The Langmuir surface area of LaCoODA was shown to be greater than that of LaCuODA, while the acid strength and acid sites were greater for LaCuODA. On the other hand, the redox potential of the active sites was related to CoII/CoIII in LaCoODA and CuII/CuI in LaCuODA. Therefore, it is concluded that the Langmuir surface area and the redox potentials were more important than the acid strength and acid sites of the studied MOFs, in terms of the referred catalytic performance. Finally, the reaction conditions were also shown to play an important role in the catalytic performance of the studied systems. Especially, the type of oxidant and the way to supply it to the reaction medium influenced the catalytic results.

The aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene was done using the heterometallic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) {[La2Cu3(μ-H2O)(ODA)6(H2O)3]⋅3H2O}n (LaCuODA)) (1) and {[La2Co3(ODA)6(H2O)6]∙12H2O}n (LaCoODA) (2) as catalysts, in solvent free conditions (ODA, oxydiacetic acid). After 24 h of reaction, the catalytic system showed that LaCoODA had a better catalytic performance than that of LaCuODA (conversion 85% and 67%). The structures of both catalysts were very similar, showing channels running along the c axis. The physicochemical properties of both MOFs were determined to understand the catalytic performance. The Langmuir surface area of LaCoODA was shown to be greater than that of LaCuODA, while the acid strength and acid sites were greater for LaCuODA. On the other hand, the redox potential of the active sites was related to CoII/CoIII in LaCoODA and CuII/CuI in LaCuODA. Therefore, it is concluded that the Langmuir surface area and the redox potentials were more important than the acid strength and acid sites of the studied MOFs, in terms of the referred catalytic performance. Finally, the reaction conditions were also shown to play an important role in the catalytic performance of the studied systems. Especially, the type of oxidant and the way to supply it to the reaction medium influenced the catalytic results.

Using the flexible ligand oxydiacetic acid (H2oda), ten new heteropolynuclear compounds with general formula [Ln2Zn3(oda)6]·xH2O (Ln = lanthanide ion, oda = oxydiacetate) were synthesized and structurally characterized. They were prepared by the direct reaction of oda in aqueous solution with stoichiometric amounts of Zn and Ln salts, followed by slow organic solvent diffusion. Two different structures were obtained: the larger lanthanides Pr, Nd, Eu and Tb gave compounds belonging to the hexagonal system, space group P6/mcc; whereas, the smaller ones, Ho, Er, Yb and Y formed cubic systems, space group Fdc. In the case of Dy, the two polymorphs were obtained by slight variations in the synthetic conditions. The phase change observed is discussed in comparison with previously reported [Ln2M3(oda)6]·xH2O compounds (M = bivalent metal ion). Luminescence studies were also carried out. Compounds containing Eu and Tb showed the most intense luminescence, also bearing relatively long lifetimes for the excited state deactivation. The luminescence profiles of both Dy systems are independent of the hexagonal or cubic arrangements, due to the similar environment of the Ln having the same point symmetry.