New data on the distribution and conservation status of some angiosperms of the Cape Verde Islands, W Africa

New data on the distributibn and conservation status of some angiosperms of the Cape Verde Islands, W Africa Intensive field work aud analysis of the state of biodiversity ou all islands during the years iYY.3 lo IYYY Icd lo lhc publication ol’several contributions lo the flora and vegelalion of the archipclago of Cabo Verde (Brochniann & al. 1997, Gornes & Vera-Cruz 1993. Gonles & al. I9YSa-h. 1998, Games 1997. Kilian & Leyens 1994, Leyens 1998. Leyens & Lobin 1995, Lobin & al. 1995) as well as to the compilation of the First Red Data List for the Cape Verde Islnuds (Lcyrus & Lobin 1996). the elaboration of the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation (SIPA 19YY) and ! compilation of all areas in urgent need of protection (Leyens unpubl. diplonla thc.\is IYYJ. Gwnes & al. iu prep.). As part UC the activities of the lnstituto National de Invcstig;u$o c Dcscnvolvitucnto Agriirio (INIDA) and the Dcpurtamcnto de GeociSncias do Institute Supcriot de Educ;u$o t ISE) iutcnsive t’icld studies were conducted PI many diffcrctu localilics OII xcvcr;~I islands. resulting in a thesis tGo~nes IY97) and several terminal study papers (Luz IYYY. Cosi;t 1994. Gonsalvez 1999). The results show that the vegetation and flora of the islands arc still IWI fully known and much more field work is needed. hllhot~gh Sanliiqw is one of lhc islands whcrc lhc firs1 holanicill iIlVcxligilliollx wcrr c:crriul WI (Wcbh 1x49. Schruidt 1x52. Chcvalicr IY35) and where uu~ny intensive field studirs wcr

HIV-1 exploits importin 7 to maximize nuclear import of its DNA genome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nuclear import of the HIV-1 reverse transcription complex (RTC) is critical for infection of non dividing cells, and importin 7 (imp7) has been implicated in this process. To further characterize the function of imp7 in HIV-1 replication we generated cell lines stably depleted for imp7 and used them in conjunction with infection, cellular fractionation and pull-down assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Imp7 depletion impaired HIV-1 infection but did not significantly affect HIV-2, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac), or equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The lentiviral dependence on imp7 closely correlated with binding of the respective integrase proteins to imp7. HIV-1 RTC associated with nuclei of infected cells with remarkable speed and knock down of imp7 reduced HIV-1 DNA nuclear accumulation, delaying infection. Using an HIV-1 mutant deficient for reverse transcription, we found that viral RNA accumulated within nuclei of infected cells, indicating that reverse transcription is not absolutely required for nuclear import. Depletion of imp7 impacted on HIV-1 DNA but not RNA nuclear import and also inhibited DNA transfection efficiency.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although imp7 may not be essential for HIV-1 infection, our results suggest that imp7 facilitates nuclear trafficking of DNA and that HIV-1 exploits imp7 to maximize nuclear import of its DNA genome. Lentiviruses other than HIV-1 may have evolved to use alternative nuclear import receptors to the same end.</p

Mechanical characterization of porous Ti base alloys produced by sintering space-holder method

[ES] La búsqueda de materiales adecuados para su uso como implante implica una mayor investigación sobre los biomateriales, como lo son el titanio y sus aleaciones. Respecto a sus propiedades mecánicas, se debe garantizar una resistencia mecánica suficiente como para soportar cargas en uso, al igual que su rigidez ha de ser parecida a la del hueso humano. En el presente trabajo se miden diferentes propiedades mecánicas de materiales porosos de titanio y de la aleación Ti6Al4V, producidos por vía pulvimetalúrgica mediante sinterización con espaciador. Los resultados muestran la relación entre la porosidad y las propiedades mecánicas, indicando los casos en los que se presenta un compromiso entre la rigidez y la resistencia mecánica.[EN] The search of suitable materials for use as an implant involves more research of biomaterials, like titanium and its alloys. Regarding their mechanical properties, it must be guaranteed mechanical strength to support loads in use, as well as its stiffness must be similar to the bone. In this paper it have been measured several mechanical properties of porous titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy, produced by sintering powder metallurgy with space-holder method. The results show the relationship between porosity and mechanical properties and it is indicated in which cases it is presented a compromise between the stiffness and mechanical strength.Los autores agradecen al área de Ciencia de Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica de la Universidad de Sevilla la ayuda prestada en el cálculo de la rigidez por ultrasonidos. Igualmente, los autores desean agradecer la financiación obtenida por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (proyecto PET2008_0158_02) y a la beca Grisolia /2009/040.Tojal Domenech, C.; Devaud, J.; Amigó, V.; Calero, JA. (2010). Caracterización mecánica de aleaciones porosas, base Ti, producidas mediante la técnica de sinterización con espaciador. Revista de Metalurgia. 46:27-32. https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalmadrid.02.2XIIPMSS27324

High Temperature Corrosion Behavior of Iron Aluminide Alloys and Coatings

A multi-year effort has been focused on optimizing the long-term oxidation performance of ingot-processed (IP) and oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe{sub 3}Al and iron aluminide-based coatings. Based on results from several composition iterations, a Hf-doped alloy (Fe-28Al-2Cr-0.05at.%Hf) has been developed with significantly better high temperature oxidation resistance than other iron aluminides. The scale adhesion is not significantly better; however, the {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} scale grows at a slower rate, approximately a factor of 10 less than undoped iron aluminide. The benefit of Hf is greatest at 1100-1200 C. Long-term oxidation resistance of commercially fabricated ODS Fe{sub 3}Al has been determined and compared to commercially available ODS FeCrAl. Scale spallation rates for ODS Fe{sub 3}Al are higher than for ODS FeCrAl. To complement studies of iron-aluminide weld-overlay coatings, carbon steel was coated with Fe-Al-Cr by thermal spraying. These specimens were then exposed in air at 900 and 1000 C and in air-1%SO{sub 2} at 800 C. Most likely due to an inadequate aluminum concentration in the coatings, continuous protective Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} could not be maintained and, consequently, the corrosion performance was significantly worse than what is normally observed for Fe{sub 3}Al

Teacher performance evaluation: conflict, uncertainties and the search for meaning(s)

O texto que propomos parte de uma pesquisa longitudinal, realizada em Portugal entre 2008 e 2010, com professores do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. Procura evidenciar os conflitos e incertezas que a avaliação do desempenho docente tem produzido e a busca de sentido(s) para esta avaliação e para o ‘ser professor/a’. A implementação de sistemas de avaliação do desempenho dos professores insere-se na procura de soluções para esta inquietação. Foi o que aconteceu em Portugal, em Janeiro de 2007, com a publicação em Diário da República do novo Estatuto da Carreira Docente e o Decreto que regulamentava a Avaliação do Desempenho Docente. As tensões emergiram entre docentes e Ministério da Educação, agudizaram-se com a tomada de consciência da problemática da avaliação do desempenho dos docentes com impacto na carreira profissional e provocaram incertezas e desmotivação face ao sentido do trabalho docente com impacto na identidade profissional dos professores.This article stems from a longitudinal research carried out with primary school teachers in Portugal between 2008 and 2010. The research sought to identify the conflicts and uncertainties, which have been caused by the evaluation of teacher performance, as well as to search for meaning(s) related to that evaluation and to ‘being a teacher’. The implementation of systems for the evaluation of teacher performance fits into the search for solutions to that concern. This is what happened in Portugal, in January 2007, when the new Statute of the Teaching Profession and the law to regulate Teacher Performance Assessment were published in Diário da República – the official government publication. Tensions arose between teachers and the Ministry of Education and they were aggravated by an awareness of how the problem of teacher performance evaluation would impact on the professional career of teachers and how it would cause uncertainties and demotivation concerning the vocation of teaching and its subsequent impact on the professional identity of teachers

Ti alloy with enhanced machinability in UAT turning

Metastable β-titanium alloys such as Ti 15V 3Al 3Cr 3Sn are of great technological interest thanks to their high fatigue strength-to-density ratio. However, their high hardness and poor machinability increase machining costs. Additionally, formation of undesirable long chips increases the machining time. To address those issues, a metastable β-titanium alloy (Ti 15V 3Al 3Cr 2Zr 0.9La) with enhanced machinability was developed to produce short chips even at low cutting speeds. A hybrid ultrasonically assisted machining technique, known to reduce cutting forces, was employed in this study. Cutting force components and surface quality of the finished work-pieces were analyzed for a range of cutting speeds in comparison with those for more traditional Ti 15V 3Al 3Cr 3Sn. The novel alloy demonstrated slightly improved machining characteristics at higher cutting speeds and is now ready for industrial applications

Development of porous Ti6Al4V samples by microsphere sintering

Two differently sized microspheres were sintered at 1300° C and 1400° C from 2 to 8 h in stoneware, alumina, yttria and zirconia moulds. Selecting the appropriate material to be used as a mould remains a critical issue given titanium's high reactivity at elevated temperatures. Optimum mechanical properties were obtained when sintering the smallest microspheres in yttria-coated moulds. Stiffness of the samples was lower than 40% of that of the bulk solid material, which comes closer to that of human cortical bone. Open and interconnected porosity was observed in all the specimens. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The translation of this paper was funded by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Universitat Jaume I.Reig Cerdá, L.; Amigó Borrás, V.; Busquets Mataix, DJ.; Calero Martinez, JA. (2012). Development of porous Ti6Al4V samples by microsphere sintering. Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 212(1):3-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2011.06.026S37212

Twenty years of stereotype threat research: A review of psychological mediators

This systematic literature review appraises critically the mediating variables of stereotype threat. A bibliographic search was conducted across electronic databases between 1995 and 2015. The search identified 45 experiments from 38 articles and 17 unique proposed mediators that were categorized into affective/subjective (n = 6), cognitive (n = 7) and motivational mechanisms (n = 4). Empirical support was accrued for mediators such as anxiety, negative thinking, and mind-wandering, which are suggested to co-opt working memory resources under stereotype threat. Other research points to the assertion that stereotype threatened individuals may be motivated to disconfirm negative stereotypes, which can have a paradoxical effect of hampering performance. However, stereotype threat appears to affect diverse social groups in different ways, with no one mediator providing unequivocal empirical support. Underpinned by the multi-threat framework, the discussion postulates that different forms of stereotype threat may be mediated by distinct mechanisms

Perceiving pure evil: The influence of cognitive load and prototypical evilness on demonizing

The present research sought to investigate the psychological dynamics underlying demonizing, that is, the tendency to see others as personifications of pure evilness. Building on an integrative theoretical framework, it is hypothesized that the extent to which a perpetrator matches prototypical expectations of evilness shapes demonizing responses to offenders particularly when cognitive resources are impaired. In two experiments, participants were asked to memorize either a difficult or an easy telephone number (cognitive load vs. control), and were then asked to evaluate a perpetrator who murdered a young woman (Experiment 1) or who kidnapped a child (Experiment 2). Results revealed that the extent to which the description of the perpetrator was consistent with a prototypical evilness scheme influenced demonizing particularly under conditions of cognitive load. It is concluded that impairment of cognitive resources increases the influence of prototypical evilness on demonizin