Commemorative Issue in Honor of Professor María Vallet Regí: 20 Years of Silica-Based Mesoporous Materials

This Special Issue entitled “Commemorative Issue in Honor of Professor María Vallet-Regí: 20 Years of Silica-Based Mesoporous Materials” arises from the initiative of the editorial team of Pharmaceutics to pay homage to Professor Maria Vallet-Regí for her ground-breaking pioneering scientific contribution to the field of silica-based mesoporous materials for biomedical applications [...]

Towards ubiquitous requirements engineering through recommendations based on context histories

The growing technological advance is causing constant business changes. The continual uncertainties in project management make requirements engineering essential to ensure the success of projects. The usual exponential increase of stakeholders throughout the project suggests the application of intelligent tools to assist requirements engineers. Therefore, this article proposes Nhatos, a computational model for ubiquitous requirements management that analyses context histories of projects to recommend reusable requirements. The scientific contribution of this study is the use of the similarity analysis of projects through their context histories to generate the requirement recommendations. The implementation of a prototype allowed to evaluate the proposal through a case study based on real scenarios from the industry. One hundred fifty-three software projects from a large bank institution generated context histories used in the recommendations. The experiment demonstrated that the model achieved more than 70% stakeholder acceptance of the recommendations.

Mongolian Studies in the Czech Republic: Personalities, Centers, Current State

Nowadays, improving international relations and strengthening international ties are leading trends in the development of world economy. In the epoch of globalization, both western and eastern countries are trying to promote close mutually profitable partnership relations between countries, because it can serve as a trigger for their further gradual development. As it can be observed in the practice, in the 21st century, the dialogue between the developed European countries and the actively developing East is becoming especially successful and efficient for both parties. One of the unique examples of the interest of the West towards the East is the development of Oriental and Mongolian studies in the Czech Republic. Its climax can be observed in the 20th century. The author of the article proves that contemporary Mongolian studies in the Czech Republic play a significant role in European Oriental studies. Analysis of the scientific contribution of the leading Czech specialists in Mongolian studies: P. Poucha, Lumir Iisl, Ya. Vacek, I. Shima, I. Grollova is conducted. A brief description of the current state of Mongolian studies in Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic is given. The author draws a conclusion about the presence of scientific interest towards Mongolian linguistics and culture in Europe, which contributes to strengthening cultural identity of Mongolia. On the basis of continuity of research and the presence of an original scientific school of Mongolian studies in the Czech Republic, the author makes an assumption about the possibility of extending research of the issues of economy and economic geography of Mongolia, which will, undoubtedly, contribute to strengthening the relations between the countries.

Applicability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains for the Production of Fruit Wines Using Cocoa Honey Complemented with Cocoa Pulp

Research background. Cocoa honey (CH) and cocoa pulp (CP) are both fruit pulps highly appreciated but, until now, CH is less processed than CP. In this work, it was investigated the applicability of strains of S. cerevisiae to ferment CH complemented with CP, to obtain fruit wines and improve CH commercialization. Experimental approach. The selection of a strain, previously isolated from cachaçaria distilleries in Brazil, took place based on its fermentation performance. The conditions for fermentation with S. cerevisiae L63 were then studied in relation to: volumetric proportion (φCH) of CH (complemented with CP), sucrose addition (γsuc), temperature (T) and inoculum size (No). The best conditions were applied in order to obtain fermentation profiles. Results and conclusions. S. cerevisiae L63 (No=107–108 cell/mL) is capable to ferment φCH of 90 and 80 % (V/V) for 24 or 48 h with γsuc of 50 and 100 g/L at T=28–30 °C resulting in wines with ethanol contents from 8 to 14 % (V/V). Additionally, the φCH=90 % (V/V) wine resulted in the lowest residual sugar concentration (<35 g/L) than the φCH=80 % (V/V) wine (~79 g/L) which could be classified as a sweet wine. In general, S. cerevisiae L63 resulted in a similar fermentation performance than a commercial strain tested, indicating its potential for fruit pulp fermentation. Novelty and scientific contribution. Therefore, S. cerevisiae L63 is capable to ferment CH complemented with CP to produce fruit wines with good commercial potentials that may also benefit small cocoa producers by presenting a product with greater added value.

Psicologia do Testemunho: dos Primórdios à Atualidade

This paper has the objective to show the scientific contribution of Psychology of Testimony, understanding the phenomenon of false memories, affecting the veracity of the testimonies and the identification of suspect. Thus, the hypothesis to be considered is if the Psychology of Testimony is helpful bringing scientific criteria for the testimony and suspect identification, reducing judicial errors and the condemnation of innocents. The methodology used is based on a bibliographic review. For this purpose, the origin of Psychology of Testimony is described, pointing its main milestones and how the science has been developed with the various experiments and discoveries. It is important to verify how human memory works and what can be expected from it, considering the scope of testimonies being realized at police station and at judicial hearing. The false memories effect is considered as well. Afterward, it is analyzed how the Code of Criminal Procedure considers the testimonies of the victims and witness, besides the suspect identification. It also pursued to demonstrate possible existing distinction between the Code’s rules and the reality, reflecting on potential judicial errors. Finally, based on the Psychology of Testimony and dignity of the human person, there are suggestions related to be the best way to make the victims and witnesses´ testimony, in addition to suspect identification.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SOVIET AUTHORITY IN HRODNA AND HRODNA COUNT (SEPTEMBER 1939 - NOVEMBER 1939)

The purpose of the study is to reveal the process of formation of Soviet power in Hrodna and Hrodna Count during the period, the chronological framework of which is determined by the direct transition of the territories of Hrodna and Hrodna region under the control of the Red Army in September 1939, on the one hand, and their official incorporation into the BSSR in November 1939, on the other. This period, which preceded the formation of full-fledged Soviet authorities in the region, is defined in the article as transitional. The paper shows the process of forming interim administrations, notes the practice of sending civil servants, party and military figures from the regions of the BSSR and other regions of the USSR to Hrodna and Hrodna Count to recruit new local authorities and organize elections to the People's Assembly of Western Belorussia (PAWB), notes the goals and objectives of the PAWB activities set before it by the party leadership, reveals the specifics of organizing elections of deputies to the PAWB from Hrodna and Hrodna Count. The scientific contribution of the study was manifested in the coverage of the process of the initial stage of the formation of Soviet authorities on the territory of Hrodna and Hrodna county in the period preceding their official incorporation into the BSSR (September 1939 - November 1939). As a result, the dates of formation of interim administrations in Hrodna and Hrodna Count, the principle of recruitment of new government institutions, the undemocratic nature of the elections of deputies of the People's Assembly of Western Belorussia were determined. The assessment of the inclusion of Hrodna and Hrodna Count into the BSSR is given.

Citation in science and approaches to the evaluation of scientific contributions

The editorial board brings to your attention a reprint of the article by S.G.Kara-Murza, published in 1981. The author personally met and debated with the creator of the Science Citation Index Eugene Garfield: recognizing the importance of bibliometry for science studies, Sergey Georgievich defends the inadmissibility of using citation indexes to evaluate the scientific contribution of individual researchers and scientific organizations. It would require the fulfillment of a number of unrealizable conditions in practice so that the citation could not distort the scientific contribution. After four decades since the publication of the article, it must be recognized that the relevance of the problem has not exhausted itself. Measuring the effectiveness of scientists by formal quantitative parameters has taken root to the status of official for scientific reports, aggravated by the prioritization of journal articles in comparison with fundamental monographic works. Arguments have repeatedly been heard in the scientific community explaining the problematic nature of objective indicators for assessing the productivity and scientific significance and scientific potential of scientists, especially in the field of socio-humanitarian knowledge. The discussion on the introduction of quantitative methods for evaluating the effectiveness of scientists' work continues. In this regard, the editorial board of the journal considers it appropriate to invite our readers to familiarize themselves with the point of view set forth in the publication of the famous scientist S.G.Kara-Murza 40 years ago.

Malinowski and Mauss Exchanging Knowledge in Interwar Europe

Bronisław Malinowski sought throughout his career to make a scientific contribution to understanding and reforming the international order by making analogies with ‘primitive’ societies. His ethnographic material was important to Marcel Mauss’s internationalist project in The Gift, and can still provide lessons in internationalism. This article examines Malinowski’s ethnographic figuration of ‘the evolution of primitive international law’, and documents a set of intellectual exchanges between him and Mauss. This illuminates an unexpected avenue of Durkheimian influence on British social anthropology and situates Malinowski in contemporary imperial and internationalist debates. Despite Malinowski’s early criticism of Émile Durkheim’s account of ‘collective ideas’, his later writing shows the (unacknowledged) influence of Mauss’s understandings of obligation and intersocial exchange. Unearthing the terms of this exchange between Malinowski and Mauss helps to recover the central normative lesson of the former’s final book and his ethnographic work as a whole – namely, that sovereignty should be dethroned as an organising principle of international order in favour of intersocial exchange and the obligations it produces.

The Emerging Scenario of the Gut–Brain Axis: The Therapeutic Actions of the New Actor Kefir against Neurodegenerative Diseases

The fact that millions of people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s disease (PD), the two most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), has been a permanent challenge to science. New tools were developed over the past two decades and were immediately incorporated into routines in many laboratories, but the most valuable scientific contribution was the “waking up” of the gut microbiota. Disturbances in the gut microbiota, such as an imbalance in the beneficial/pathogenic effects and a decrease in diversity, can result in the passage of undesired chemicals and cells to the systemic circulation. Recently, the potential effect of probiotics on restoring/preserving the microbiota was also evaluated regarding important metabolite and vitamin production, pathogen exclusion, immune system maturation, and intestinal mucosal barrier integrity. Therefore, the focus of the present review is to discuss the available data and conclude what has been accomplished over the past two decades. This perspective fosters program development of the next steps that are necessary to obtain confirmation through clinical trials on the magnitude of the effects of kefir in large samples.

Iron Encapsulation by Deacetylated Glucomannan as an Excipient Using the Gelation Method: Characteristics and Controlled Release

Research background. Deacetylation and the use of CaCl2 as a gelation agent improve the performance of glucomannan as iron encapsulant using the gelation method. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of deacetylation using NaOH and pH gelation on the characteristics of encapsulated iron using the CaCl2 gelation method. Experimental approach. Glucomannan was deacetylated at various NaOH concentrations and was subsequently utilized as an iron excipient using the pipette-dropped gelation method in CaCl2 solution to directly investigate the gelation process of encapsulation. The pH of the gelation solution was also changed. The beads were subsequently vacuum-dried. Results and conclusions. Deacetylation led to lower endothermic peak temperature of the glucomannan than that of the native one. The deacetylation degree (DD) and gelation pH did not significantly affect the diameter of the beads but influenced their appearance and physical characteristics. The backbone of glucomannan was not changed by either the deacetylation degree or the pH of the gelation treatment. The highest encapsulation efficiency (73.27 %) was observed in the encapsulated iron using the glucomannan matrix of the highest deacetylation degree (82.56 %) and gelated in pH=10 solution. The highest deacetylation degree of glucomannan caused the beads to have the highest swelling, which led to the release of a higher amount of iron. Glucomannan deacetylation improved the pH sensitivity of iron encapsulation, in which more iron was released at a pH=6.8 than of pH=1.2. The Weibull model was the best-fitted model to represent the profile of iron release from the deacetylated glucomannan matrix using the gelation method (R2 > 0.93) at pH=6.8 and pH=1.2 solutions. Novelty and scientific contribution. This result supports the application of deacetylated glucomannan using NaOH as a pH-sensitive matrix on iron encapsulation using CaCl2 solution as gelation agent. A higher deacetylation degree leads to the release of a higher amount of iron from the matrix. The encapsulation is not only protecting the iron but also delivering it to the absorption site and controlling the iron release which are useful in supplement formulation. or food fortifications. The results show that the deacetylated glucomannan as the matrix holds more iron in encapsulation process.