Fragile Structure Research Articles

Effectiveness of Delayed First Baths on Transepidermal Water Loss in Late Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study evaluates whether delaying the first bath affects late preterm infants' skin barriers, body temperatures, and comfort. Late preterm infants' skin is drier and has a limited water retention capacity compared to term infants and adults. It is important to determine timing of care for this population with limited competencies. A two-arm, three-center, and single- and evaluator-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. The study is based on the CONSORT guidelines. The participants were recruited from September 2020 to September 2021. The first baths of participants in the intervention group were postponed until 48hours after birth. Outcomes were measured before bathing and 1, 10, and 30minutes after bathing. There was a statistically significant interaction between the groups and times for transepidermal water loss, body temperature, and comfort. The intervention group had a lower transepidermal water loss value at follow-up than the control group in the forearm and sternum. The control group had lower mean body temperatures and comfort levels. When the first bathing of a late preterm infant is postponed by a minimum of 48hours, it reduces damage to the skin barrier, body temperature is maintained, and the experience is more comfortable. Therefore, the first bath should be delayed for at least 48hours after birth. The study can guide nurses to eliminate the uncertainty of the first bath applied for late preterm infants with a fragile structure in the neonatal intensive care setting and to eliminate the differences between clinics.

Post-transcriptional methylation of mitochondrial-tRNA differentially contributes to mitochondrial pathology

Human mitochondrial tRNAs (mt-tRNAs), critical for mitochondrial biogenesis, are frequently associated with pathogenic mutations. These mt-tRNAs have unusual sequence motifs and require post-transcriptional modifications to stabilize their fragile structures. However, whether a modification that stabilizes a wild-type (WT) mt-tRNA would also stabilize its pathogenic variants is unknown. Here we show that the N1-methylation of guanosine at position 9 (m1G9) of mt-Leu(UAA), while stabilizing the WT tRNA, has a destabilizing effect on variants associated with MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes). This differential effect is further demonstrated, as removal of the m1G9 methylation, while damaging to the WT tRNA, is beneficial to the major pathogenic variant, improving the structure and activity of the variant. These results have therapeutic implications, suggesting that the N1-methylation of mt-tRNAs at position 9 is a determinant of pathogenicity and that controlling the methylation level is an important modulator of mt-tRNA-associated diseases.

Religious Mandatory Premarital HIV Testing; Assessment of Perceptions on Ethical Concerns Among Healthcare Workers in Kwaebibirem

Objective: This cross-sectional survey describes healthcare workers’ (HCWs’) perceptions on religious mandatory premarital HIV testing- (RMPmHT) associated ethical concerns. Methodology: An online survey was completed with an e-questionnaire, circulated via WhatsApp, (a freeware, centralized instant messaging cross-platform). This involved 530 participants and data were descriptively analyzed using Epi info 3.5.1. Results: The findings illustrate that HCWs, mostly aged 30 or younger with a mean age of 30.4 (±7.2), were largely familiar with RMPmHT, (58.5%). Despite general acceptance, disclosing positive results to RO leadership was widely discouraged. HCWs considered RMPmHT non-intrusive, yet paradoxically believed it increased the risk of stigmatization. Despite an unclear ethical paradigm and state silence on RMPmHT, HCWs didn't see knowledge of a positive result as a 'right' for RO leadership. Policy frameworks for 'medico-legal' permission and result disclosure were seen as ambiguous. Concerns about fragile confidentiality structures persist, and the prohibition of marriages for HIV-positive or RMPmHT-dissenting couples was widely deprecated. Conclusion: RMPmHT, tenably, infringes upon the right to marry and found a family, bodily integrity, privacy, and information as negative results may subtly be a precondition for marriage. Advocacy for the need to situate RMPmHT in a clear ethical paradigm remains imperative. Policy frameworks guiding documentation of consent processes, HIV couple discordancy, counselling, information, disclosure, data management and linking RMPmHT services to public health institutions should be engendered.

Making sense of social enterprises' crisis preparedness and development of composite index for its assessment

AbstractSocial enterprises are organizations that make society more resilient, but at the same time they have their own vulnerabilities and are threatened by a number of factors that can throw them into a crisis. Nevertheless, a crisis in social enterprises and their crisis preparedness are not topics that the literature adequately deals with. The aim of this mixed method research is to identify how social entrepreneurs make sense of crisis preparedness, and how to measure it. The qualitative part of the research shows that there are five key themes that are perceived by social entrepreneurs when it comes to crisis preparedness in the context of social enterprises' specifics: Crisis preparedness as a prevention against mission drift, as a necessity when working with disadvantaged employees, as a path toward greater financial stability, as a “helper” in a changing legislative environment, and as a response to a fragile organizational structure. Combining these findings with the literature review, composite Perceived Threats Index (PTI) and Crisis Preparedness Index (CPI) are constructed. Using correlation and regression analysis and hypothesis testing, we validate them and confirm relationship between geographical scope of social enteprises and crisis preparedness as well as between latter and perceived threats.

Diagenetic and hydrothermal events revealed by an Ediacaran dolomite breccia from the Araras-Alto Paraguai basin, southern Amazon Craton

The establishment of extensive carbonate platforms characterized the Ediacaran period during CaCO3 oversaturation events and the exceptional creation of accommodation space associated with the aftermath of the Marinoan glaciation (∼635 Ma). Carbonate deposits in the Araras Group record the early Ediacaran period, stage 1, in the Amazon Craton. The Serra do Quilombo Formation is an intermediate unit characterized by heavily fractured and faulted dolomites, as well as the presence of dolomite-cemented breccias (CB) overlying thick limestone packages associated with diagenetic and hydrothermal modifications. These features are commonly attributed to structurally controlled hydrothermal dolomitization (HTD) and are of significant economic importance as hydrocarbon reservoirs and Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) lead-zinc mineralization hosts. This study aims to unravel the origin of cemented breccias and the diagenetic/burial processes within the unit, focusing on dolomitization processes. Dolomite samples were analyzed using petrographic, scanning electron microscopy, microprobe, micro-Raman, cathodoluminescence, and isotopic analyses (δ13C, δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr) to unravel their burial history. CBs are sub-vertical to sub-horizontal bodies with complex geometries, generally cutting bedding at high angles, indicating hydrofracturing processes related to vertical flows of hydrothermal fluids (hydraulic breccia) and present the typical cockade texture of expansion breccias in dilatational faults. The substitutive matrix RD1 is the main constituent of the Serra Quilombo Formation, its low correlation between δ13C and δ18O (R2 = 0.009), the well-preserved fabric, and the similarity with the isotopic values (C and Sr) documented for Ediacaran carbonates, suggest that the syndepositional dolomitization. The first generation of dolomite cement (DC1) and the last phase of dolomitic cementation (saddle dolomite - SD) occur, filling pores, CBs, and fractures. The cockade texture of the breccias evidences a low precipitation rate or a pause in precipitation between DC1 and SD. Concurrently, DC1 has isotopic signals of δ18O = −4.34 ± 1.32‰ (n = 18) and 87Sr/86Sr = 0.708831 (n = 2), while SD has values of δ18O = −9.57 ± 2.51‰ (n = 15) and 87Sr/86Sr = 0.711464 (n = 3). The large isotopic fractionation between DC1 and SD suggests different dolomitizing fluids. This relationship shows an increase in 87Sr in the fluid as the temperature increases; moreover, the enrichment in 87Sr of the fluid is explained by the interaction of this fluid with rocks from the crystalline basement. Thus, the main conduit for the ascent of this radiogenic fluid would be faults with deep roots spatially close to tectonically active zones. Lastly, the presence of tectonic stylolites cutting cemented breccias and rotated zebra-like strata-bound structures suggests that brecciation occurred before the installation of fragile post-Ordovician transtensional structures, preceding the establishment of Paleozoic Basins on the South American Platform.

Experimental investigation of collapsible soils under oedometric loading: effect of internal erosion

Collapsible soils, geological formations characterized by pronounced structural instability upon saturation, present a significant challenge in geotechnical engineering. This experimental study aims to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms governing the behavior of these soils, which are particularly prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions subject to extreme hydrological cycles. Collapsible soils, sensitive to climatic variability, undergo profound alterations in their hydromechanical properties due to alternating periods of prolonged drought and intense rainfall events. These fluctuations induce significant modifications in the soil's pore structure, promoting the development of internal erosion phenomena such as suffusion. The results obtained from this experimental investigation on reconstituted samples highlight the combined influence of various factors, such as water content, dry density, particle size, and flow rate, on the collapse potential. It appears that fine particles play a predominant role in the formation of fragile structures, susceptible to collapse upon saturation. Moreover, the intensity and duration of infiltration significantly influence the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves, thus offering a promising tool for monitoring the evolution of damage within the soil mass. Furthermore, this study provides essential insights for assessing the risks associated with collapsible soils and contributes to the development of more reliable characterization and modeling methods. It emphasizes the need to consider the complex interactions between the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the soil, as well as the influence of environmental conditions, for better control of the risks associated with these materials.

Flexible-rigid hybrid siloxane network for stone heritage conservation

Siloxane oligomers produced through the hydrolysis of tri-alkoxysilanes or tetra-alkoxysilanes have been widely used as consolidants for stone heritage. However, the resulting xerogels tend to crack due to the volume shrinkage after curing. In this study, a novel flexible-rigid hybrid siloxane oligomer material is designed by the self-catalyzed copolymerization of di-alkoxysilane (3-Aminopropyl) dimethoxymethylsilane with tetra-alkoxysilane tetraethyl orthosilicate. The flexible linear SiOSi segments produced by di-alkoxysilane are inserted into the tetra-alkoxysilane derived rigid three-dimensional silicon-oxygen domains, as confirmed by spectroscopic characterizations. This unique structure alleviates the shrinkage stress during curing and enables the formation of crack-free xerogels. Therefore, the hybrid siloxane oligomer can invade into the interior of weathered stone to form one three-dimensional continuous network to strengthen its fragile structure. As a result, the flexible-rigid hybrid siloxane oligomer outperforms both as-made polysiloxane consolidant and commercial consolidant for the consolidation of the weathered Tianlong Mountain Grottoes stone samples. The consolidation treatment was evaluated in terms of effectiveness (Leeb hardness, ultrasonic velocity and compressive strength) and compatibility (pore size distribution, water vapor transmission rate and color variation). Following the treatment, the consolidated samples demonstrate remarkable improvements in mechanical properties, reaching a Leeb hardness of 410 HL and a compressive strength of 8.98 Mpa. Additionally, permeability and color variation of the stone after consolidation are all within acceptable ranges. The results confirm the positive consolidation performance of the flexible-rigid hybrid siloxane oligomer on weathered Tianlong Mountain Grottoes stone, indicating promising practical applications.

Building professionalism in early childhood development in South Africa: professional associations and unions

ABSTRACT Early childhood development (ECD), from birth to 6, occupies an ambivalent space within a system ranging from birth to 9. Professional Early Childhood Development Associations and Unions (ECDAUs) are important structures to elevate early learning issues in the context of building quality ECD systems. This article explores issues that ECDAUs encountered in the South African context as they struggled to build professionalism. Socially constructed notions of professionalism and ideas from transformative politics provided the theoretical lenses for the study. Six participants from four associations and one union participated in the study. The findings show that although ECDAUs actively build professionalism, they remain fragile structures in multi-dimensional, complex and rapidly transforming environments. There are attempts to consolidate efforts to move the professionalism/ECD agenda forward. This thrust, however, is stronger from ECD associations than from the union, which still needs to incorporate ECD for 5 to 6 year-olds in its work.

Preserving ‘Neon' Light? – Reflections on the Art-Technological Examination of Construction-Bound Technical Installations with Gas Discharge Lamps in the Former GDR

ABSTRACT This paper presents research on the development history as well as on the materials and techniques of technical installations with gas discharge lamps, colloquially known as ‘neon’ systems, in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Taking into account changes in materials, design, and technology between the 1950s and the 1980s, the findings also form the basis for the practical art-technological examination and evaluation of the examples still in existence. The majority of these objects have disappeared since the 1990s; the remainder are still acutely endangered today, due to progress in lighting technology and the current highly invasive repair practices. In this paper, a systematic examination case study is presented and discussed for the first time. The Poliklinik lettering under consideration is located on the façade of today's Medical Centre in the Hanseatic city of Stralsund and dates back to the second half of the 1950s. After more than 60 years of exposure to the elements, it appeared as an authentically aged, completely original example of the object group. A substance-careful concept for in situ examination was developed that did not require the fragile structure to be dismantled. The concept presented here is generally applicable to other objects with gas discharge lamps.

Research on the impact of FDI and environmental regulation on the industrial structure upgrading in the Yellow River Basin

Introductions: Since the reform and opening up, the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) has provided a steady stream of capital, technology, talent and other resources for the development of the Yellow River basin, while caused problems such as environmental pollution, ecological fragility and industrial structure upgrading difficulties to some extent. Environmental regulation is a pivotal initiative to achieve mutual harmony between ecological environment and economic development, which could enhance the quality of the introduction of FDI and accelerate the green transformation of the development mode.Methods: Based on urban panel data from 2006–2019, this study empirically examined the impact of FDI and environmental regulation on industrial structure upgrading in the Yellow River Basin. Moreover, taking environmental regulation as a threshold variable, a panel threshold model was established to further explore the role of environmental regulation in the impact of FDI on industrial structure upgrading in the Yellow River Basin.Results: (1) The relationship between FDI and industrial structure upgrading in the Yellow River Basin is not a simple linear relationship, but an inverted “U”-shaped relationship that rises first and then falls, and the results of this inverted “U”-shaped relationship are still robust after replacing key indicators. (2) The environmental regulation policy has a driving effect on the upgrading of industrial structure in the Yellow River Basin. (3) Environmental regulation has a positive role in the influence of FDI on the industrial structure upgrading in the Yellow River basin, and the positive role increases gradually as the intensity of environmental regulation increases moderately, but if the intensity of environmental regulation is too high, it will have a negative impact on the upgrading of industrial structure in the Yellow River basin to some extent.Discussion: In the future, policymakers should make reasonable and effective use of FDI and improve the quality of FDI; reasonably formulate environmental regulation policies; coordinate the intensity of FDI and environmental regulation; thus, bring into play the promotion effect of FDI and environmental regulation on industrial structure upgrading, and then realize the win-win of ecological protection and high-quality economic development in the Yellow River Basin.

Politics of apoliticality and the Indian citizen in popular Hindi cinema

ABSTRACT Popular Hindi cinema in contemporary times has characteristic patterns of ideological positioning, that reflect the populist authoritarian regime and its political agenda of a monolithic Hindu identity with its corresponding political version of a nation built on Hindutva policies. Film genres like historicals have been ideal propaganda vehicles in building counternarratives to challenge the fragile secular structures that keep the heterogeneity of the nation in place. A sub-genre to be mentioned in this context is biopics which have emerged as a popular sub-genre of historicals in contemporary Indian cinema. They narrate tales of individuals who have led extraordinary lives or have shaped their lives to become role models for the young to learn and emulate. Biopics can be turned into narratives about nationalism with little effort and we see several films shaping discourses on nationalism and national identity. Using biopics released since 2010, I seek to explore the significance of this hero in biopics in a neoliberal nationalist paradigm. The films chosen are those that depict the lives of common people who have turned heroes, as in the case of films like Manjhi – The Mountain Man (2015), Super 30 (2019), and Pad Man (2018).

Phalloidin-PAINT: Enhanced quantitative nanoscale imaging of F-actin

We present phalloidin-based points accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography (phalloidin-PAINT), enabling quantitative superresolution imaging of filamentous actin (F-actin) in the cell body and delicate membrane protrusions. We demonstrate that the intrinsic phalloidin dissociation enables PAINT superresolution microscopy in an imaging buffer containing low concentrations of dye-conjugated phalloidin. We further show enhanced single-molecule labeling by chemically promoting phalloidin dissociation. Two benefits of phalloidin-PAINT are its ability to consistently quantify F-actin at the nanoscale throughout the entire cell and its enhanced preservation of fragile cellular structures. In a proof-of-concept study, we employed phalloidin-PAINT to superresolve F-actin structures in U2OS and dendritic cells (DCs). We demonstrate more consistent F-actin quantification in the cell body and structurally delicate membrane protrusions of DCs compared with direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). Using DC2.4 mouse DCs as the model system, we show F-actin redistribution from podosomes to actin filaments and altered prevalence of F-actin-associated membrane protrusions on the culture glass surface after lipopolysaccharide exposure. The concept of our work opens new possibilities for quantitative protein-specific PAINT using commercially available reagents.

The effect of output level, exchange rate and interest rate on inflation in BRIC-T countries

PurposeIn this study, it is analyzed the validity of the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) effect and the effect of interest rate and output level on the inflation rate (IR) in Brazil, Russia, India, China and Turkey (BRIC-T) between the years 1995Q1 and 2022Q4.Design/methodology/approachThe methods such as the panel unit root test developed by Westerlund (2012), the LM bootstrap panel cointegration test developed by Westerlund and Edgerton (2007), the common correlated effects (CCE) estimator developed by Pesaran (2006) and the augmented mean group (AMG) estimator developed by Eberhardt and Bond (2009) that take into account the cross-section dependency are applied for analysis.FindingsAs a result of the findings, it is determined that the ERPT effect is valid in Turkey, Brazil, Russia, India and China and the cost channel is valid only in China. Finally, it is found out that output level positively affects inflation in Turkey, Brazil, Russia, India and China.Practical implicationsAll these results indicate that the economies of Turkey, Russia, Brazil and India have a fragile structure, especially in terms of inflation. Therefore, the central bank of these countries should maintain exchange-rate stability to implement the inflation-targeting strategy successfully. In this context, central bank independence should be increased in these countries in achieving this objective. Also the results indicate that it is still early to consider whether BRIC-T countries and accordingly the Belt and Road Initiative will be an alternative against the domination of the USA and European Union (EU) on international trade system or it will substitute them.Originality/valueIn this study, it is tested that the impact of interest-rate (NIR), exchange-rate (FER) and output level (IPI) on general level of prices. Besides, it is analyzed that whether production level affects the IR. Also, the study investigates the economic issues such as ERPT effect and cost channel. The study analyzes whether China's Belt and Road Initiative is successful or not. In this study, we used the panel data methods that allow for structural breaks and cross-section dependency. For these reasons, this study differs from other studies in the literature both in terms of scope and methods used.

Domesticating the Global War on Terrorism in West Africa: Implications for Sub-Regional Security

Objective: The objective of this study is to the recent incidences of terror attacks in the West African sub-region that have only overwhelmed national governments concerned. Using the case studies of Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger, the paper interrogates the recent scourge of terrorism in these countries within the context of sub-regional security. Theoretical Framework: The structural conflict theory, which argues that conflict is built into the systems and structures of society, is employed in the work. This is based on the radical transformative agenda promoted by globalization and accentuated by the violent intra-state conflicts in Africa, especially following the restructuring of the international security architecture after the end of the Cold War in 1989. Method: The methodology adopted for this research utilizes the qualitative research design using the case study approach. Secondary data is engaged for this study, alongside thematic analysis for the harmonization of data. Results and Discussion: The study discovered that the activities of domestic terror groups is hinged on the unresolved rhetoric of globalization. The study concludes that until there are institutional measures to strengthen the fragile politico-economic structures hurriedly erected after prolonged dictatorships in the countries concerned, the solution to the threat of terrorism will remain a tantalizing mirage. It canvasses for the creation of a civil-military alliance in the war on terror, and the strengthening of democratic institutions to bring about good governance which will make states better equipped to curb terrorism. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the fields of national security, strategic studies and even institutional democracy. These implications could encompass the protection of lives and property within the state, protection of the state’s territorial integrity and the consolidation of democracy by state governments. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the fragilitiy of democracy in West African states as a consequence of prolonged terrorist attacks that are yet to be adequately catered to by civilian governments. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by it practical applicability across the fields of policy and strategic studies, and political science.

Pickering emulsion co-delivery system: Stimuli-responsive biomineralized particles act as particulate emulsifiers and bioactive carriers

Pickering emulsions provide a promising platform for the efficient delivery of bioactive. However, co-delivery of fragile bioactives with different physicochemical properties for comprehensive effects still faces practical challenges due to the limited protection for bioactives and the lack of stimuli-responsive property for on-demand release. Herein, a stimuli-responsive co-delivery system is developed based on biomineralized particles stabilized Pickering emulsions. In this tailor co-delivery system, hydrophilic bioactive (pepsin) with the fragile structure is encapsulated and immobilized by biomineralization, the obtained biomineralized particles (PPS@CaCO3) are further utilized as emulsifiers to form O/W Pickering emulsions, in which the hydrophobic oxidizable bioactive (curcumin) is stably trapped into the dispersed phase. The results show that two bioactives are successfully co-encapsulated in Pickering emulsions, and benefiting from the protection capacities of biomineralization and Pickering emulsions, the activity of pepsin and curcumin shows a 7.33-fold and 144.83-fold enhancement compared to the free state, respectively. Moreover, In vitro study demonstrates that Pickering emulsions enable to co-release of two bioactives with high activity retention by the acid-induced hydrolyzation of biomineralized particles. This work provides a powerful stimuli-responsive platform for the co-delivery of multiple bioactive compounds, enabling high activity of bioactives for the comprehensive health effects.

A novel supramolecule combining the pharmacological benefits of berberin and catechin for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer

Natural small molecule catechins (CC) show significant promise in preventing and treating cervical cancer due to their remarkable anti-HPV, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. However, the poor stability, fragile chemical structure, and high hydrophilicity of CC seriously affect the ultimate anti-tumor effect of the drug. In order to overcome these drawbacks of CC, berberine (BBR) assisted CC assembly with the same anti-cervical cancer effect was selected, taking advantage of the easy alkaloid self-assembly properties of polyphenolic compounds. We report a novel dual component (BBR and CC) directed self-assembly mode. The two small molecules were assembled into highly drug-loaded, homogeneous supramolecules (341 nm) by π-π stacking at 60℃, pH 7.4, the reaction time of 1 h, and the molar ratio of BBR to CC of 2:1. The supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticles (NPS) not only exhibit excellent stability, high assembly rate (86.42 %), and sustained release performance, but also have stronger cell binding and uptake capabilities. In addition, the assembled supramolecules (BBR-CC NPS) retain the excellent biological characteristics of BBR and CC. It had good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. More importantly, this NPS can disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential, increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. These results indicated that BBR-CC NPS can serve as a carrier-free drug delivery system that enhances drug stability while exhibiting synergistic pharmacological activity. This provides more possibilities for the application of natural small molecules in cancer treatment and drug delivery. Additionally, it also presents new insights into the integration mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.

Finite element numerical analysis of structural vibration of a certain pump station

Abstract In the process of pump station operation, the vibration of factory structure caused by hydraulic or mechanical factors will seriously threaten the ordinary operation of pump station; reduce the efficiency of units; shorten the service lifespan of equipment, and even lead to failure of units. In this paper, ANSYS software and modal analysis method are applied to simulate the vibration effect on pump station under natural vibration, unit vibration excitation and hydraulic excitation. The intrinsic vibration features of pump station structure under diverse boundary conditions, different working conditions and distinct external excitation sources are studied. According to the results of modal and harmonic response analysis, it can be concluded that: 1. A cross relationship has been found existing between pump station structure and unit excitation of speed frequency. 2. In addition to the upper part of the pump station fragile structure, the vibration of the pier is more noteworthy. 3. The vibration amplitude of the whole pump station along vertical direction is larger than that in other directions while the deformation following the unit axis and flow direction presents a strong tendency. 4. In general, the influence of hydraulic load on the structural force of pump station is relatively small.

Baía dos Tigres - The dynamic of the process

Baía dos Tigres is a well-known sandbank in Angola, referred to since the 15th century when the Portuguese navigators passed there in 1488, on the voyage that allowed them to round the Cape of Good Hope, in southern Africa. It is a phenomenon of a sedimentary nature and therefore it is linked to the availability of solid flow carried by the drift current coming from the South. However, several changes in its condition have been recorded over the centuries. It has shifted from being a sandbank (restinga) and an island, this latter occurring when the isthmus that connects it to the mainland broke, becoming a restinga again when it reestablisheb itself. In March 1962, a huge storm at sea destroyed the fragile structure connecting the land to the coast and since then, precisely 60 years ago, Baía dos Tigres became an island, being separated from the coast in a way that seemed definitive. The observation and analysis of the satellite images used in this work seem to suggest that a setback is beginning to appear, since Baía dos Tigres may be starting to reconnect to the mainland. If this occurs, there is the possibility for Angola to have again a true fish hatchery where countless varieties of fishes and molluscs find unique conditions for spawning. Those partially closed conditions, with waters sufficiently oxygenated to generate excellent biological environment for spawning, are of great importance for the future of fish industry in the country. If those conditions are restored, the zone will be protected from the direct action of storms and the speed of currents, covering an area of more than 250 km2. This article makes an up-date of the situation, based on the analysis of satellite images currently available.

Effect of temperature on surface fluid sediment properties with cyanobacterial bloom biomass accumulation

In eutrophic shallow lakes, cyanobacterial blooms will occur frequently and then settle into sediment, leading the formation of fluid sediment. Several factors including temperature can influence surface sediment properties. In this study, the influence of temperatures on surface sediment properties was determined in microcosm experiments through monitoring sediment physicochemical and rheological properties. During one-month incubation, it was found that surface sediment density and water content varied exponentially with increase in temperatures from 10 to 35 ℃. The results of particle size distribution indicated that cyanobacterial blooms biomass (CBB) degradation in sediment led to sediment flocculation and agglomeration. In the meantime, there were high ratios polysaccharide/protein in extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), which enhanced the sediment particle agglomeration. Further, the yield stress in rheological test for sediment with (R2 = 0.97) and without (R2 = 0.85) CBB presented an exponential decay with increase in temperatures. And a threshold value at 20 ℃ for sediment critical shear stress (τcr) indicated that sediment could be resuspended easier when temperature was more than 20 ℃. Altogether, this study showed that the increase in temperatures with a threshold at 20 ℃, can cause sediment particle flocculation, resulting in a loose and fragile structure. And the results would be helpful to sediment management considering environmental effects of sediment suspension for eutrophication shallow lakes.

Comparative Assessment of ESI‐MS Softness for Inorganic Complexes: How Soft is Your ESI‐MS?

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) is a powerful tool for identifying and characterizing organometallic and coordination compounds. However, detection of fragile structures bound by weaker intermolecular forces can be significantly limited in ESI‐MS owing to the use of relatively harsh instrument conditions and configurations. In this study, a set of tests was developed to assess the softness of ESI‐MS systems. Two variants are presented: positive ion mode, utilizing a mixture of sodium ions and triphenylphosphine oxide producing [Na(OPPh3)n]+ ions (n = 1–4), and negative ion mode, utilizing Pd(PPh3)4 and sulfonated triphenylphosphine producing [Pd(L)(PPh3)n]– ions (n = 0–2), where softer instrument conditions preserve a higher proportion of the high‐coordinate ions and harsher conditions will result in increased detection of products of ion fragmentation. The results revealed notable variations in instrument softness, which were influenced by a combination of instrument design and experimental parameters. Meticulously optimizing experimental conditions and ESI‐MS parameters is essential to achieving the softest ionization possible, ensuring reliable analysis where applicable. This study offers valuable insight through straightforward tests that can be employed to assess the suitability of an instrument for specific research needs.