A transição energética e a ascensão político-econômica da China no século XXI

A China se tornou a segunda maior economia do mundo e o maior consumidor global de energia graças ao seu crescimento econômico impulsionado pela industrialização após as reformas de 1978. Neste sentido, a pergunta de pesquisa deste artigo é: como a transição energética chinesa tem impactado a ascensão do país ao centro político-econômico global? Objetiva-se, discutir ao longo do texto, a influência das condições estruturais, conjunturais e do desenvolvimento energético no crescimento da China e analisar a movimentação chinesa em direção à transição energética. Para atingir esta finalidade, utilizar-se-á o método histórico-exploratório, revisão bibliográfica e análise documental e tem como base a teoria dos Ciclos Sistêmicos de Acumulação de Arrighi (1996). Conclui-se, neste artigo, que a China está buscando mudar o seu sistema energético vigente para garantir a sustentabilidade do seu desenvolvimento e manter sua projeção internacional liderando esse importante processo e que esta consolidação do interesse nacional chinês se dará no longo prazo

Spin-coated polysaccharide-based multilayered freestanding films with adhesive and bioactive moieties

Freestanding films based on catechol functionalized chitosan (CHI), hyaluronic acid (HA), and bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) were developed by spin-coating layer-by-layer assembly (SA-LbL). The catechol groups of 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (DOPA) present in the marine mussels adhesive proteins (MAPs) are the main factors responsible for their characteristic strong wet adhesion. Then, the produced films were cross-linked with genipin to improve their stability in wet state. Overall, the incorporation of BGNPs resulted in thicker and bioactive films, hydrophilic and rougher surfaces, reduced swelling, higher weight loss, and lower stiffness. The incorporation of catechol groups onto the films showed a significant increase in the films’ adhesion and stiffness, lower swelling, and weight loss. Interestingly, a synergetic effect on the stiffness increase was observed upon the combined incorporation of BGNPs with catechol-modified polymers, given that such films were the stiffest. Regarding the biological assays, the films exhibited no negative effects on cellular viability, adhesion, and proliferation, and the BGNPs seemed to promote higher cellular metabolic activity. These bioactive LbL freestanding films combine enhanced adhesion with improved mechanical properties and could find applications in the biomedical field, such as guided hard tissue regeneration membranes.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European program FEDER/FEEI (PTDC/BTM-MAT/28123/2017 and PTDC/NAN-MAT/31036/2017) and FCT (MIT-EXPL/BIO/0089/2017).The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European program FEDER/FEEI for the financial support through projects PTDC/BTM-MAT/28123/2017 and PTDC/NAN-MAT/31036/2017. The authors also acknowledge FCT for the financial support through the exploratory project MIT-EXPL/BIO/0089/2017

3D biocomposites comprising marine collagen and silica-based materials inspired on the composition of marine sponge skeletons envisaging bone tissue regeneration

Ocean resources are a priceless repository of unique species and bioactive compounds with denouement properties that can be used in the fabrication of advanced biomaterials as new templates for supporting the cell culture envisaging tissue engineering approaches. The collagen of marine origin can be sustainably isolated from the underrated fish processing industry by-products, while silica and related materials can be found in the spicules of marine sponges and diatoms frustules. Aiming to address the potential of biomaterials composed from marine collagen and silica-based materials in the context of bone regeneration, four different 3D porous structure formulations (COL, COL:BG, COL:D.E, and COL:BS) were fabricated by freeze-drying. The skins of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were used as raw materials for the collagen (COL) isolation, which was successfully characterized by SDS-PAGE, FTIR, CD, and amino acid analyses, and identified as a type I collagen, produced with a 1.5% yield and a preserved characteristic triple helix conformation. Bioactive glass 45S5 bioglass® (BG), diatomaceous earth (D.E.) powder, and biosilica (BS) isolated from the Axinella infundibuliformis sponge were chosen as silica-based materials, which were obtained as microparticles and characterized by distinct morphological features. The biomaterials revealed microporous structures, showing a porosity higher than 85%, a mean pore size range of 138â 315 µm depending on their composition, with 70% interconnectivity which can be favorable for cell migration and ensure the needed nutrient supply. In vitro, biological assays were conducted by culturing L929 fibroblast-like cells, which confirmed not only the non-toxic nature of the developed biomaterials but also their capability to support cell adhesion and proliferation, particularly the COL:BS biomaterials, as observed by calcein-AM staining upon seven days of culture. Moreover, phalloidin and DAPI staining revealed well-spread cells, populating the entire construct. This study established marine collagen/silica biocomposites as potential scaffolds for tissue engineering, setting the basis for future studies, particularly envisaging the regeneration of non-load-bearing bone tissues.This research was funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under the projects SponGES (H2020-BG-01-2015-679849)

A transição energética e a ascensão político-econômica da China no século XXI: uma análise através da teoria dos ciclos sistêmicos de acumulação

China became the second largest economy in the world and the largest global consumer of energy thanks to its economic growth driven by industrialization after the 1978 reforms. In this sense, the research question of this article is: how the Chinese energy transition has impacted the rise from the country to the global political-economic center? The aim is to discuss, throughout the article, the influence of structural, conjunctural conditions and energy development on China's growth and to analyze the Chinese movement towards energy transition. To achieve this purpose, the historical-exploratory method, bibliographic review, and document analysis procedures will be used, as well as the theory of Systemic Cycles of Accumulation by Arrighi (1996). It is concluded, in this article, that China is seeking to change its current energy system to ensure the sustainability of its development and maintain its international projection by leading this important process.A China se tornou a segunda maior economia do mundo e o maior consumidor global de energia graças ao seu crescimento econômico impulsionado pela industrialização após as reformas de 1978. Neste sentido, a pergunta de pesquisa deste artigo é: como a transição energética chinesa tem impactado a ascensão do país ao centro político-econômico global? Objetiva-se, discutir ao longo do texto, a influência das condições estruturais, conjunturais e do desenvolvimento energético no crescimento da China e analisar a movimentação chinesa em direção à transição energética. Para atingir esta finalidade, utilizar-se-á o método histórico-exploratório, revisão bibliográfica e análise documental e tem como base a teoria dos Ciclos Sistêmicos de Acumulação de Arrighi (1996). Conclui-se, neste artigo, que a China está buscando mudar o seu sistema energético vigente para garantir a sustentabilidade do seu desenvolvimento e manter sua projeção internacional liderando esse importante processo e que esta consolidação do interesse nacional chinês se dará no longo prazo

Erratum: Moreira, J., et al., Spin-Coated Polysaccharide-Based Multilayered Freestanding Films with Adhesive and Bioactive Moieties. Molecules 2020, 25, 840

Erratum: Moreira, J., et al., Spin-Coated Polysaccharide-Based Multilayered Freestanding Films with Adhesive and Bioactive Moieties. Molecules 2020, 25, 840. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040840The authors wish to make changes to the published paper 11 j. 1. UV-Vis Analysis of Catechol-Modified Polymers In the original manuscript theie is a mistake concerning the word "Wavenumber" in the X-Coordinate in Figure 1. Tile corrected word is "Wavelength". Tlx- A uthors also wish to change mg«mL-l to mg ml-1 in the legend of Figure l;see corrected Figure 1 below. (Figure Presented).(undefined

Altered bone microarchitecture in a type 1 diabetes mouse model Ins2 Akita

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been associated to several cartilage and bone alterations including growth retardation, increased fracture risk, and bone loss. To determine the effect of long term diabetes on bone we used adult and aging Ins2(Akita) mice that developed T1DM around 3-4 weeks after birth. Both Ins2(Akita) and wild-type (WT) mice were analyzed at 4, 6, and 12 months to assess bone parameters such as femur length, growth plate thickness and number of mature and preapoptotic chondrocytes. In addition, bone microarchitecture of the cortical and trabecular regions was measured by microcomputed tomography and gene expression of Adamst-5, Col2, Igf1, Runx2, Acp5, and Oc was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Ins2(Akita) mice showed a decreased longitudinal growth of the femur that was related to decreased growth plate thickness, lower number of chondrocytes and to a higher number of preapoptotic cells. These changes were associated with higher expression of Adamst-5, suggesting higher cartilage degradation, and with low expression levels of Igf1 and Col2 that reflect the decreased growth ability of diabetic mice. Ins2(Akita) bone morphology was characterized by low cortical bone area (Ct.Ar) but higher trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and expression analysis showed a downregulation of bone markers Acp5, Oc, and Runx2. Serum levels of insulin and leptin were found to be reduced at all-time points Ins2(Akita). We suggest that Ins2(Akita) mice bone phenotype is caused by lower bone formation and even lower bone resorption due to insulin deficiency and to a possible relation with low leptin signaling.F. R. Carvalho and S. M. Calado acknowledge the financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through Ph.D. fellowships SFRH/BD/76429/2011 and SFRH/BD/76873/2011, respectively. This study was funded in part by CCMAR funding from European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under COMPETE Program and through FCT under PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011 project and through UID/Multi/04326/2013 project. GA Silva was funded by (PIRG05-GA-2009-249314-EyeSee) and Research Center Grant UID/BIM/04773/2013 to CBMR

Altered bone microarchitecture in a type 1 diabetes mouse model Ins2 (Akita)

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been associated to several cartilage and bone alterations including growth retardation, increased fracture risk, and bone loss. To determine the effect of long term diabetes on bone we used adult and aging Ins2 Akita mice that developed T1DM around 3-4 weeks after birth. Both Ins2 Akita and wild-type (WT) mice were analyzed at 4, 6, and 12 months to assess bone parameters such as femur length, growth plate thickness and number of mature and preapoptotic chondrocytes. In addition, bone microarchitecture of the cortical and trabecular regions was measured by microcomputed tomography and gene expression of Adamst-5, Col2, Igf1, Runx2, Acp5, and Oc was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Ins2 Akita mice showed a decreased longitudinal growth of the femur that was related to decreased growth plate thickness, lower number of chondrocytes and to a higher number of preapoptotic cells. These changes were associated with higher expression of Adamst-5, suggesting higher cartilage degradation, and with low expression levels of Igf1 and Col2 that reflect the decreased growth ability of diabetic mice. Ins2 Akita bone morphology was characterized by low cortical bone area (Ct.Ar) but higher trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and expression analysis showed a downregulation of bone markers Acp5, Oc, and Runx2. Serum levels of insulin and leptin were found to be reduced at all-time points Ins2 Akita . We suggest that Ins2 Akita mice bone phenotype is caused by lower bone formation and even lower bone resorption due to insulin deficiency and to a possible relation with low leptin signaling.SFRH/BD/76873/2011/ SFRH/BD/76429/2011/ PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Transcriptional profiling of Neurospora crassa Δmak-2 reveals that mitogen-activated protein kinase MAK-2 participates in the phosphate signaling pathway

AbstractThe filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa is an excellent model system for examining molecular responses to ambient signals in eukaryotic microorganisms. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential growth-limiting nutrient in nature and is crucial for the synthesis of nucleic acids and the flow of genetic information. The genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling the response to Pi starvation in N. crassa include at least four genes (nuc-2, preg, pogv, and nuc-1), which are involved in a hierarchical regulatory activation network. In a previous work, we identified a number of genes modulated by NUC-2 protein, including the mak-2 gene, which codes for a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), suggesting its participation in the phosphate signaling pathway. Thus, to identify other genes involved in metabolic responses to exogenous phosphate sensing and the functioning of the MAPK MAK-2, we performed microarray experiments using a mak-2 knockout strain (Δmak-2) grown under phosphate-shortage conditions by comparing its transcription profile to that of a control strain grown in low- and high-phosphate cultures. These experiments revealed 912 unique differentially expressed genes involved in a number of physiological processes related to phosphate transport, metabolism, and regulation as well as posttranslational modification of proteins, and MAPK signaling pathways. Quantitative Real-time PCR gene expression analysis of 18 selected genes, using independent RNA samples, validated our microarray results. A high Pearson correlation between microarray and quantitative Real-time PCR data was observed. The analysis of these differentially expressed genes in the Δmak-2 strain provide evidence that the mak-2 gene participates in the hierarchical phosphate-signaling pathway in N. crassa in addition to its involvement in other metabolic routes such as the isoprenylation pathway, thus revealing novel aspects of the N. crassa phosphorus-sensing network

Fundamentals of Brazilian Honey Analysis: An Overview

Brazilian honey possesses large floral sources with various colors and flavors due to botanical and geographical differences and the large extension of the country. The absence of antibiotics and pesticides contamination positively differentiates Brazilian honey in the international market. Thus, the present chapter presents an overview of regulatory aspects for identity and quality evaluation of honey produced and commercialized in Brazil and international markets, as well as, it compares the production and consumption of honey with other countries. In addition, the chapter presents physicochemical and microbiological analysis commonly used in honey, as fundamentals of the technics and literature results with different kinds of honey obtained in Brazil. Physicochemical quality control and microbiological analysis of honey samples is of fundamental importance for assessing their quality, possible adulteration and storage conditions. In the literature, several methodologies exist to be used in the performance of honey quality control and each one complements the results in order to have an idea about the quality of the product, the absence of adulteration, deterioration, and environmental pollution and geographical area. Finally, we will present the market scenario nowadays with future perspectives and some recognition obtained for Brazilian bee products in international events

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