The Role of Language in the Environmental Movement: A Comparative Discourse Analysis of Spanish and English through an Ecolinguistics Framework

This study focuses on the role of language in producing and encouraging environmental frameworks and attitudes. Research within this sphere aims to determine the capacity of discourse analysis in influencing ecosophy. Within the current Anthropocene exist a variety of ideologies that shape human interaction with the environment. This paper considers an ecolinguistics framework with which to compare the linguistic structure and lexicon of two widespread languages, Spanish and English, through a comparative literature review. It takes a linguistic relativity approach to discourse analysis, examining the way in which corresponding environmental articles, written in Spanish and English, diverge. Findings within the scope of this research suggest that Spanish and English discourse differ substantially with regard to descriptions of agency, urgency, and pronouns, important components in the creation of ecological frameworks. Agency, urgency, and pronoun usage have the power to create a space in which the reader has a deeper connection with, and a more empathetic role regarding, the natural world. They also contribute to a heightened sense of perceived actionability. The results of this analysis illustrate how ecolinguistics can be used in future research and in sparking social action through intentional language use and messaging within the environmental movement

Biomimetic coatings enhance tribocorrosion behavior and cell responses of commercially pure titanium surfaces

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOBiofunctionalized surfaces for implants are currently receiving much attention in the health care sector. Our aims were ( 1) to create bioactive Ti-coatings doped with Ca, P, Si, and Ag produced by microarc oxidation ( MAO) to improve the surface properties of biomedical implants, ( 2) to investigate the TiO2 layer stability under wear and corrosion, and ( 3) to evaluate human mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs) responses cultured on the modified surfaces. Tribocorrosion and cell experiments were performed following the MAO treatment. Samples were divided as a function of different Ca/P concentrations and treatment duration. Higher Ca concentration produced larger porous and harder coatings compared to the untreated group ( p<0.001), due to the presence of rutile structure. Free potentials experiments showed lower drops ( 0.6 V) and higher coating lifetime during sliding for higher Ca concentration, whereas lower concentrations presented similar drops ( 0.8 V) compared to an untreated group wherein the drop occurred immediately after the sliding started. MAO-treated surfaces improved the matrix formation and osteogenic gene expression levels of hMSCs. Higher Ca/P ratios and the addition of Ag nanoparticles into the oxide layer presented better surface properties, tribocorrosive behavior, and cell responses. MAO is a promising technique to enhance the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental implant surfaces. (C) 2016 American Vacuum Society.Biofunctionalized surfaces for implants are currently receiving much attention in the health care sector. Our aims were ( 1) to create bioactive Ti-coatings doped with Ca, P, Si, and Ag produced by microarc oxidation ( MAO) to improve the surface properties of biomedical implants, ( 2) to investigate the TiO2 layer stability under wear and corrosion, and ( 3) to evaluate human mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs) responses cultured on the modified surfaces. Tribocorrosion and cell experiments were performed following the MAO treatment. Samples were divided as a function of different Ca/P concentrations and treatment duration. Higher Ca concentration produced larger porous and harder coatings compared to the untreated group ( p<0.001), due to the presence of rutile structure. Free potentials experiments showed lower drops ( 0.6 V) and higher coating lifetime during sliding for higher Ca concentration, whereas lower concentrations presented similar drops ( 0.8 V) compared to an untreated group wherein the drop occurred immediately after the sliding started. MAO-treated surfaces improved the matrix formation and osteogenic gene expression levels of hMSCs. Higher Ca/P ratios and the addition of Ag nanoparticles into the oxide layer presented better surface properties, tribocorrosive behavior, and cell responses. MAO is a promising technique to enhance the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental implant surfaces.113114CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO11838-13-22013/08451-1The authors would like to thank the University of Illinois at Chicago for providing the facilities to perform this study, Rush University Medical Center on behalf of R. Urban for the SEM facility, Denise Carleto Andia for providing the human bone marrow stromal cells for some cell experiments, Rafael Parra from Univ Estadual Paulista (Sorocaba, Brazil) for his contribution and support in the Plasma Technology Laboratory, the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES) from Brazil for the doctoral fellowship of the first author (PDSE Proc. 11838-13-2), the State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for Grant No. 2013/08451-1, the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Grant No. 1067424, and finally financial support from NIH R03 AR064005