MMORPGS and cognitive performance: A study with 1280 Brazilian high school students

The present paper attempts to empirically study the cognitive impacts of Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) in uncontrolled contexts in light of the Cognitive Mediation Networks Theory, a new model of human intelligence that aims to explain cognition as the result of brain activity combined with the information-processing done by external structures such as tools, social groups and culture. A sample of 1280 students Brazilian high school students answered a form inquiring about socio-demographic information plus the use of computer games, and also was submitted to a short knowledge exam and a mini psychometric test. The findings indicated that, due to their underlying structure and sociocultural nature, MMORPGs are associated to a greater level of insertion into the Digital Age, higher levels of logical-numerical performance, and better scholastic ability. Finally, suggestions are made for future studies on the subject.     

Fungal fucoidanase production by solid-state fermentation in a rotating drum bioreactor using algal biomass as substrate

Fucoidanase enzymes able to degrade fucoidan were produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF). The fermentation assays were initially carried out in a laboratory-scale rotating drum bioreactor, and two fungal strains (Aspergillus niger PSH and Mucor sp. 3P) and three algal substrates (untreated, autohydrolyzed, and microwave processed seaweed Fucus vesiculosus) were evaluated. Additionally, fermentations were carried out under rotational (10 rpm) and static conditions in order to determine the effect of the agitation on the enzyme production. Agitated experiments showed advantages in the induction of the enzyme when compared to the static ones. The conditions that promoted the maximum fucoidanase activity (3.82 U L^?1) consisted in using Mucor sp. 3P as fungal strain, autohydrolyzed alga as substrate, and the rotational system. Such conditions were subsequently used in a 10 times larger scale rotating drum bioreactor. In this step, the effect of controlling the substrate moisture during the enzyme production by SSF was investigated. Moreover, assays combining the algal substrate with an inert support (synthetic fiber) were also carried out. Fermentation of the autohydrolyzed alga with the moisture content maintained at 80% during the fermentation with Mucor sp. 3P gave the highest enzyme activity (9.62 U L^?1).     

Surface acidity of novel mesostructured silicas with framework aluminum obtained by SBA-16 related synthesis

A novel SBA-16-related synthesis of mesostructured silica containing framework aluminum is reported here. This material was successfully synthesized using aluminum sulphate and the pH-adjusting method. The structural and porosity properties of this novel material were studied by X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption at 77 K. The Al insertion was determined by ²⁷Al-MAS-NMR and the acidity was monitored by infrared spectroscopy of CO adsorption at 100 K.     

天生桥一级水电站混凝土面板堆石坝位移监测

天生桥一级电站混凝土面板堆石坝的填筑坝体位移监测通过水管式沉降仪和水平位移计进行。坝本内安装了５０支水管式沉降仪（瑞曲盒式）、３１支水平位移计（钢丝型伸缩仪）和２８支总压力计。监测结果表明，施工期末（１９９９年３月）最大坝体沉降是２．９４ｍ，相当于坝体高度的１．７％，施工期末堆石坝变形模量Ｅｒｃ平均４５ＭＰａ，为最大坝体变形，促使上游边坡出现裂缝以及面板浇筑前上游边坡明显沉降。     

Space and time resolved surface temperature distributions in Si power diodes operating under self-heating conditions

In order to optimize and improve the design of power devices with improved surge current safe operating area it is necessary to obtain a good correlation between measured and simulated space and time resolved temperature distributions. Therefore, an IR microscope capable of measuring the space and time resolved surface temperature distributions in Si power diodes operating under self-heating conditions has been developed. The minimum detectable spot size is 15 μm, while the signal rise time is detector limited to about 1 μs. The lower temperature detectivity limit is about 10°C over room temperature.

Using this instrument dynamic thermal phenomena in fast recovery 3.3 kV Si power diodes having radiation-induced recombination centers [Proceedings of the 7th EPE, Trondheim, 1997] subjected to 1.2 ms 400–2000 A/cm² and 0.3–2 ms 2000 A/cm² current pulses have been studied. The experimental results have been compared to results from 2D device simulations including surface recombination and carrier lifetime temperature dependence. The agreement between experimental and device simulation results (i.e. dynamic IV characteristics and time and space resolved temperature distributions) is very good up to a peak current density of 1500 A/cm², and a reasonable good one for peak current densities up to 2000 A/cm² (1.2 ms current pulses).     

Fabrication of Strained-Si/Strained-Ge Heterostructures on Insulator

Ultrathin strained-Si/strained-Ge heterostructures on insulator have been fabricated using a bond and etch-back technique. The substrate consists of a trilayer of 9 nm strained-Si/4 nm strained-Ge/3 nm strained-Si on a 400-nm-thick buried oxide. The epitaxial trilayer structure was originally grown pseudomorphic to a relaxed Si_0.5Ge_0.5 layer on a donor substrate. Raman analysis of the as-grown and final transferred layer structures indicates that there is little change in the strain in the Si and Ge layers after layer transfer. These ultrathin Si and Ge films have very high levels of strain (∼1.8% biaxial tension and 1.4% compression, respectively), and are suitable for enhanced-mobility field-effect transistor applications.     

Stability assessment for cautious iterative controller tuning

This document presents new mechanisms for stability assessment in iterative controller tuning. Contrary to the usual approach adopted in robust model identification, the new mechanisms do not rely on plant models, but utilize information from the current closed-loop system to test if a newly designed controller will maintain loop stability. All controllers that satisfy the test are guaranteed to stabilize the actual plant.     

A Pharmacogenetics Study in Mozambican Patients Treated with Nevirapine: Full Resequencing of TRAF3IP2 Gene Shows a Novel Association with SJS/TEN Susceptibility

Steven–Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are severe adverse drug reactions, characterized by extensive epidermal detachment and erosions of mucous membrane. SJS/TEN is one of the most serious adverse reactions to Nevirapine (NVP) treatment, commonly used in developing countries as first-line treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. In the last years TRAF3IP2 gene variants had been described as associated with susceptibility to several diseases such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We hypothesized that this gene, involved in immune response and in NF-κB activation, could also be implicated in the SJS/TEN susceptibility. We performed a full resequencing of TRAF3IP2 gene in a population of patients treated with NVP. Twenty-seven patients with NVP-induced SJS/TEN and 78 controls, all from Mozambique, were enrolled. We identified eight exonic and three intronic already described variants. The case/control association analysis highlighted an association between the rs76228616 SNP in exon 2 and the SJS/TEN susceptibility. In particular, the variant allele (C) resulted significantly associated with a higher risk to develop SJS/TEN (p = 0.012 and OR = 3.65 (95% CI 1.33–10.01)). A multivariate analysis by logistic regression confirmed its significant contribution (p = 0.027, OR = 4.39 (95% CI 1.19–16.23)). In conclusion, our study suggests that a variant in TRAF3IP2 gene could be involved in susceptibility to SJS/TEN.     

Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) glazed with hydrocolloids as alternative of edible coatings and storaged at -10 degrees C

Numerous studies have been focused to natural ingredients to maintain the quality and shell life of foods. Edibles coating, biodegradable ingredients, such as hydrocolloids and proteins can be used for coating fish with the purpose to suppress changes of quality during frozen storage. At the present time several developing of edibles packing, like glaze using hydrocolloids, (gelatin, carrageen, starch), that besides acts as protective film for food, they are economic, can be ingested by the consumer without toxicity risk, help to preserve organoleptics and nutritional characteristics of the product and, being biodegradable they contribute to the conservation of the atmosphere. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the incorporation ofhydrocolloids in the glazing tuna process as alternative of packing, to enhance its physical and chemical characteristics. Samples of tuna was glazed incorporating to its solutions of carrageen at 0.05, 0,1 and 0.15%, and gelatin at 0.5, 1%. The samples were shaped as square (15 cm3), frozen al -30 degrees C and glazed incorporating hydrocolloids submerging the sample its solutions at 0 degrees C by 30 seconds and storage at -10 degrees C by 0, 15 and 30 days. Proximal analysis results, soluble proteins, TBA, and color showed that all the samples glazed with hydrocolloids decrease deterioration of the tuna products respect to samples glazed without hydrocolloids; concluding that glazing adding hydrocolloids protects tuna for loss humidity and delays degradation of proteins. Moreover, carrageen shows to a better performance at the concentrations of 0.05% compared with the gelatin and the starch.