Feasibility study of a swept frequency electromagnetic probe (SWEEP) using inductive coupling for the determination of subsurface conductivity of the earth and water prospecting in arid regions

Techniques developed for electromagnetic probing of the lunar interior, and techniques developed for the generation of high power audio frequencies were combined to make practical a magnetic inductive coupling system for the rapid measurement of ground conductivity profiles which are helpful when prospecting for the presence and quality of subsurface water. A system which involves the measurement of the direction, intensity, and time phase of the magnetic field observed near the surface of the earth at a distance from a horizontal coil energized so as to create a field that penetrates the earth was designed and studied to deduce the conductivity and stratification of the subsurface. Theoretical studies and a rudimentary experiment in an arid region showed that the approach is conceptually valid and that this geophysical prospecting technique can be developed for the economical exploration of subterranean water resources

Gi- and Gs-coupled GPCRs show different modes of G-protein binding.

More than two decades ago, the activation mechanism for the membrane-bound photoreceptor and prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin was uncovered. Upon light-induced changes in ligand-receptor interaction, movement of specific transmembrane helices within the receptor opens a crevice at the cytoplasmic surface, allowing for coupling of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). The general features of this activation mechanism are conserved across the GPCR superfamily. Nevertheless, GPCRs have selectivity for distinct G-protein family members, but the mechanism of selectivity remains elusive. Structures of GPCRs in complex with the stimulatory G protein, Gs, and an accessory nanobody to stabilize the complex have been reported, providing information on the intermolecular interactions. However, to reveal the structural selectivity filters, it will be necessary to determine GPCR-G protein structures involving other G-protein subtypes. In addition, it is important to obtain structures in the absence of a nanobody that may influence the structure. Here, we present a model for a rhodopsin-G protein complex derived from intermolecular distance constraints between the activated receptor and the inhibitory G protein, Gi, using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and spin-labeling methodologies. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the overall stability of the modeled complex. In the rhodopsin-Gi complex, Gi engages rhodopsin in a manner distinct from previous GPCR-Gs structures, providing insight into specificity determinants

Mobile Learning: APP-Raising and Updating Language Learning in the Digital Era

The first section of the paper focuses on the development of mobile learning and provides an overview of a growing body of research which describes mobile devices as useful tools for language learning. The development of cutting-edge mobile devices has driven the attention of educators, making mobile learning (m-learning) a new and interesting approach to language learning. Mobile tools and social networks allow users to produce and share content and context (Hill & Hannafin, 2001; Saad & Borg, 2009) and allow learners to access an ubiquitous, autonomous and individualised learning experience (Ibrahim Abukhattala, 2016; Shuler, 2009). Moreover, mobile tools offer a wide range of functions and activities, enhancing multisensory learning, which provides significant benefits for the brain. Indeed, it is known that multisensory learning eases the processes of recollection and processing of information (Katja M. Mayer et al., 2015). The benefits provided by mobile learning are embraced by learners, who feel better engaged, resulting in more successful outcomes (Wang et al., 2009). However, in some cases, the use of mobile tools for educational purposes provokes concerns for educators (Barrell, 2011). Moreover, the implementation of new media is affected by educators’ beliefs and attitudes (Van Olphen, 2007), which suggests that training is needed, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of mobile learning (Liu, 2009). The second section of this paper includes a description of four apps (BUSUU, SPEAKINGPAL, VOXY and OPENLANGUAGE) for language learning and the results of a survey carried out amongst 13 university EFL learners (10 women and 3 men), belonging to different fields of study and with different levels of language competence (according to self-evaluation). Even if this study can be considered as a beta test –due to the small sample and the nature of participants– students’ comments suggest that mobile learning is an interesting and engaging way to bring the language learning experience outside of the classroom and share it in a broader –although digital– environment

Recuperação nutricional com farelo de arroz não modificou o balanço energético e os níveis de leptina e insulina

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of nutritional recovery with rice bran on energy balance, leptin and insulin levels. METHODS: Weaned Wistar rats were fed on a 17% (Control - C) or 0.5% (Aproteic - A) protein diet for 12d. After this, rats were kept on a C diet (C) or recovered with control (Recovered Control - RC) or control plus recovered rice bran diet (Recovered Rice Bran - RRB). RESULTS: Despite the increased food intake, group A exhibited lower carcass fat associated to low serum leptin. RRB and RC groups showed lower carcass weight and energy intake and expenditure. Energy expenditure was positively associated with food intake and carcass weight. Negative correlations between HOMA-IR and energy expenditure and energy intake were observed. CONCLUSION: Nutritional recovery with rice bran did not modify energy balance, leptin and insulin levels.OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito da recuperação nutricional com farelo de arroz sobre o balanço energético e níveis de leptina e insulina. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar recém-desmamados foram alimentados com 17% (Controle - C) ou 0,5% (Aproteico - A) de proteína (caseína) durante 12 dias. Em seguida, ratos permaneceram com dieta controle (C) ou foram recuperados com controle (Recuperados Controle - RC) ou controle mais 5% de farelo de arroz (Recuperados com Farelo de Arroz - RFA) durante 21 dias. RESULTADOS: Apesar de a ingestão alimentar ter sido maior em A, a gordura na carcaça foi reduzida, sendo associada com menor nível de leptina. Os grupos RFA e RC tiveram redução no peso da carcaça, no gasto e ingestão de energia. O gasto energético foi correlacionado com a ingestão de alimentos e o peso da carcaça fresco. Foi observada correlação negativa entre HOMA-IR com gasto energético e com ingestão de energia. CONCLUSÃO: A recuperação nutricional com farelo de arroz não modificou o balanço energético, nem os níveis de leptina e insulina.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Faculdade de NutriçãoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Fisiologia da NutriçãoUNIFESP, Depto. de Fisiologia da NutriçãoSciEL

Half wavelength dipole antennas over stratified media

Theoretical solutions of the fields induced by half-wavelength, horizontal, electric field dipoles (HEDS) are determined based on studies of infinitesimal, horizontal, electric field dipoles over low loss plane-stratified media. To determine these solutions, an approximation to the current distribution of a half-wavelength HED is derived and experimentally verified. Traverse and antenna measurements obtained on the Athabasca Glacier in the summer of 1971 are related to the characteristics of the transmitting antenna design, and the measurement techniques and field equipment used in the glacier trials are described and evaluated

Correlation of serum leptin and insulin levels of pregnant protein-restricted rats with predictive obesity variables

During pregnancy and protein restriction, changes in serum insulin and leptin levels, food intake and several metabolic parameters normally result in enhanced adiposity. We evaluated serum leptin and insulin levels and their correlations with some predictive obesity variables in Wistar rats (90 days), up to the 14th day of pregnancy: control non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 7) groups (control diet: 17% protein), and low-protein non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 6) groups (low-protein diet: 6%). Independent of the protein content of the diet, pregnancy increased total (F1,19 = 22.28, P < 0.001) and relative (F1,19 = 5.57, P < 0.03) food intake, the variation of weight (F1,19 = 49.79, P < 0.000) and final body weight (F1,19 = 19.52, P < 0.001), but glycemia (F1,19 = 9.02, P = 0.01) and the relative weight of gonadal adipose tissue (F1,19 = 17.11, P < 0.001) were decreased. Pregnancy (F1,19 = 18.13, P < 0.001) and low-protein diet (F1,19 = 20.35, P < 0.001) increased the absolute weight of brown adipose tissue. However, the relative weight of this tissue was increased only by protein restriction (F1,19 = 15.20, P < 0.001) and the relative lipid in carcass was decreased in low-protein groups (F1,19 = 4.34, P = 0.05). Serum insulin and leptin levels were similar among groups and did not correlate with food intake. However, there was a positive relationship between serum insulin levels and carcass fat depots in low-protein groups (r = 0.37, P < 0.05), while in pregnancy serum leptin correlated with weight of gonadal (r = 0.39, P < 0.02) and retroperitoneal (r = 0.41, P < 0.01) adipose tissues. Unexpectedly, protein restriction during 14 days of pregnancy did not alter the serum profile of adiposity signals and their effects on food intake and adiposity, probably due to the short term of exposure to low-protein diet.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Brazilian Foundations FAPEMATUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso Faculdade de Ciências MédicasUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso Faculdade de Nutrição Departamento de Alimentos e NutriçãoUniversidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Biologia Departamento de Fisiologia e BiofísicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Fisiologia da NutriçãoUNIFESP, Depto. de Fisiologia da NutriçãoBrazilian Foundations FAPEMAT: 175/04CNPq: 479138/2003-6SciEL

Multilingualism as linguistic chimerism. Conceptualizing language contact and English as a global contact language in a hybrid-oriented perspective

, elf, eil, Translanguaging, Language contactIn a globalized world where cultural boundaries have become increasingly blurred, multilingual practices have changed the understanding of language contact and contact-induced influence in global encounters. In the era of transnational communication, multilingual practices often involve the use of the global contact language of English as a Lingua Franca, resulting in a plethora of linguistic hybrids that undergo fast and continuous evolution. Contemporary multilingualism rather occurs in the form of linguistic chimeras, i.e., hybrid and fully functional lects where the boundaries of the merged linguistic systems that make them are hard to detect. Although theoretical frameworks of language contact, developed within contact linguistics, have tried to conceptualize contact phenomena, traditional models do not do justice to the fluidity and dynamism of current multilingual and English-mediated communicative practices, which might fit in a more hybrid-oriented perspective, as this contribution suggests

O mapeamento da governança do setor de energia elétrica no Brasil para a eficiência energética

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo, 2017.Este trabalho tem como premissa estabelecer a relação entre os conceitos de eficiência energética, governança e resiliência urbana, enfatizando a relação da eficiência energética e a resiliência urbana. Os fundamentos do trabalho consideram a crise energética pela qual o país passa, e o diálogo sobre as mudanças climáticas, o meio ambiente e a sustentabilidade. Uma alternativa é o aumento da eficiência no uso da energia, visto que é muito caro se produzir energia para utiliza-la com desperdícios. Nesse contexto, foi realizado o mapeaeamento da governança do setor de energia elétrica no Brasil para a eficiência energética. Definir uma boa governança em matéria de eficiência energética demonstrou ser um grande desafio, principalmente devido à diversidade no contexto da estrutura governamental dos países. Esse trabalho se insere no contexto de avaliação de uma boa governança do setor elétrico para eficiência energética. O método proposto utiliza o alinhamento entre dois métodos de análise que se complementam. O primeiro considera a integração de agentes ações e instrumentos como requisito para a governaça para a resiliência urbana. O segundo é complementar, permitindo a identificação dos agentes, ações e instrumentos na governança da eficiência energética. Os resultados são analisados por meio do software Gephi, visando caracterizar as redes de interação. Como resultado o trabalho apresenta o mapeamento da rede de governança do setor de energia elétrica no Brasil entre ações, atores e instrumentos, e define diretrizes para o fortalecimento dessa governança.This work has as premise to establish the relationship between the concepts of energy efficiency, governance and urban resilience, emphasizing the relation between energy efficiency and urban resilience. The fundamentals of the work consider the energy crisis through which the country passes, and the dialogue on climate change, the environment and sustainability. An alternative is to increase the efficiency of energy use, since it is very expensive to produce energy to waste it. In this context, the mapping of the governance of the electric energy sector in Brazil for energy efficiency was carried out. Defining a good governance in energy was such a big challenge, due to the diversity in the context of the governmental structure of the countries. This work is part of the evaluation of a good governance of the energy sector for the energy efficiency. The proposed method aligns two methods of analysis that complement each other. The first considers the integration of agents, actions and instruments as a requirement for the governance and urban resilience. The second is complementary, allowing the identification of the agents, actions and instruments in the energy efficiency governance. The results are analyzed through Gephi software, aiming to characterize the interactions among the networks. As a result, the paper presents the mapping of the governance of the electric power sector in Brazil among actions, actors and instruments, and sets guidelines for strengthening this governance