Mackenzie Presbyterian University

Different tree species, and their distribution in urban areas, can help improve thermal microclimate and promote human thermal comfort in these environments. The aim of the current study is to investigate how different tree species and their distribution in urban areas can help improve human thermal comfort in built environments. Firstly, the thermal comfort provided by different tree species, and by their planting design (individuals and clusters), was measured at the free flat area of Campinas County, Brazil. Then, human thermal comfort provided by trees in urban areas (low and high-density construction areas) of Campinas and Santos counties, Brazil, were measured. Benefits provided by the following twelve species were analyzed from 2007 to 2010: Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. ex DC.) Stand., Jacaranda mimosaefolia D. Don., Syzygium cumini L., Mangifera indica L., Pinus palustris L. and Pinus coulteri L.—individuals; Lafoensia glyptocarpa L., Caesalpinia pluviosa F., Spathodea campanulata P.Beauv., Tipuana tipu F. (individuals and clusters) –, Delonix indica F. and Senna siamea L. (clusters). C. pluviosa F. was capable of reducing the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) to ranges between 12 and 16° C, for individual trees; and between 12.5 and 14.5° C, for clusters. Streets with shading trees recorded PET decrease by 18° C in low-density areas, as well as by 10° C in high-density areas. Trees planted in high-density areas can also help mitigate the negative effects of heat on facades, in addition to increase the aesthetic effect of streets. Trees planted in low-density areas can help improve thermal comfort for pedestrians and cyclists.

This paper presents the exact analytical solution to the long‐standing problem of determining the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for the parameter of the logarithmic distribution. Despite having been introduced more than 80 years ago, no one has derived an explicit MLE for the logarithmic distribution parameter. In addition to this primary result, we also derive the MLE asymptotic variance and provide other related findings that further contribute to the understanding of this distribution.

Brazilian grocery stores and local markets commonly sell handmade cigarettes made from cornhusk and treated tobacco. This artisanal cigarette, once regionally traditional, has become the second most consumed form of cigarettes in the country. Tobacco products contain nicotine (NIC), a substance known for its high addiction potential and association with cardiovascular diseases. This study proposes an electrochemical synthesis method for a reduced graphene oxide/silver‐copper‐hexacyanoferrate (rGO/AgCuHCF) composite to optimize conditions for sensitive electrochemical NIC detection. The optimized material was prepared using a 3:1 Ag:Cu ratio in an initial cyclic voltammetry (CV) step, followed by a ferricyanide solution with pH = 7.0, achieving a sensitivity of 13.0 nA L mol‐1 through a 2² factorial design experiments. Microscopic analysis showed uniform PBA particles distributed over the wrinkled carbon support, while spectroscopic techniques confirmed bimetallic PBA structural features distinct from monometallic variants. Batch injection analysis‐assisted amperometry using the rGO/AgCuHCF modified electrode demonstrated a linear current response for NIC in the range of 5.0 to 2000.0 μmol L‐1, yielding a superior sensitivity of 32.9 nA L mol‐1 and a low detection limit of 0.9 μmol L‐1. This sensor proved viable and reliable for detecting NIC in industrial and artisanal cigarettes tobacco samples.

Resumo A reestruturação produtiva das metrópoles ocidentais, nas últimas décadas do século XX, exigiu dos governos nacionais e locais o debate e a elaboração de novos instrumentos urbanísticos voltados à reconversão física e funcional dos espaços então ocupados pela atividade industrial. Este artigo examina os casos do projeto urbano de King’s Cross, em Londres, e da Operação Urbana Água Branca, em São Paulo, ambos pautados na parceria entre poder público e iniciativa privada, especialmente por meio da negociação de ativos urbanos. Constatamos que no caso internacional, embora se observem elementos de exclusão, o processo projetual mirou soluções integradas de requalificação socioambiental. No caso paulistano, o processo de implementação foi caracterizado pela prevalência da modelagem regulatória do espaço em detrimento do projeto urbano.

The production restructuring of Western metropolises in the last decades of the 20th century required national and local governments to debate and develop new urban planning instruments aimed at the physical and functional reconversion of spaces previously occupied by industrial activities. This article examines the cases of the King's Cross urban project in London and the Água Branca Urban Operation in São Paulo, both based on partnerships between the public sector and private initiative, particularly through the negotiation of urban assets. We found that in the international case, although elements of exclusion were observed, the design process aimed at integrated solutions for socio-environmental requalification. In the São Paulo case, the implementation process was characterized by the regulatory modeling of the space to the detriment of urban design.

This study analyzes spatial transformations at Station Areas in the city of São Paulo to further the debate on spatial dilemmas between Node and Place. Case studies of the Pinheiros and Faria Lima Station Areas analyze and discuss their spatial attributes based on Urban and Transport categories, both in the meso- and micro-scales. The study considers that there is an inherent ambivalence between Node and Place as a source of conflicts, but also an opportunity for urban (re) development and/or renewal. The results show that, despite extensive spatial transformations in the studied Station Areas, the ambivalences between Node and Place have not been overcome; rather, they were exacerbated.

An innovative mixed matrix membrane (MMM) has been built by interfacial polymerizing of polyethersulfone membrane by modification with silica/carbon dots and a silica/carbon dots/ZrO2 hybrid nanoarchitecture based on glucose sugar and trimesoyl chloride on an alkali solution. The silica-based hybrid nanoarchitectures have been obtained by a combination of carbon dots nanomaterials, zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and silica (SiO2) employing the sol–gel method using fluoride ions (F⁻) as catalysts. These MMM hybrid nanoarchitectures were characterized by scanning electron (SEM), high-resolution transmission electronic (HR-TEM) microscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy techniques. The produced nanofilters have retained different dangerous analytes, such as dyes (methylene blue and methyl orange) and endocrine disruptors (bisphenol A) found in potable water. The retention rate was measured by UV–vis spectroscopy, which showed retention capacity for methylene blue at 94% and bisphenol A at 80% in real samples. In the deionized water, the bare PES support presented a flow rate of 41.7 L.h⁻¹, SiO2/HF/Cdot/PES of 36.9, and SiO2/HF/Cdot/ZrO2/PES of 40.7 L.h⁻¹. Therefore, these nanofilters have a high potential to retain dyes and endocrine disruptors, effectively avoiding environmental contamination.

Women researchers have made significant contributions to materials science despite long-standing challenges of gender biases and stereotypes. This Focus Issue on Women’s Achievements and Perspectives in Materials Sciences celebrates the achievements of women in the field of material research by collecting outstanding articles of original research works and reviews by women scientists around the world. Through highlights of the achievements of women in material research, this focus issue aims to illustrate their broader impact on the advance of science and technology, and the inspiration of next-generation of scientists and engineers in materials researches and other relevant fields. This Focus Issue also highlights the geographical diversity of contributors, featuring work from women in Turkey, China, India, Russia, Serbia, and South Africa, which underlines the universal and collaborative nature of research in materials science. Together, the articles illustrate the crucial role women play in shaping the future of the field and addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. The 15 papers in this Focus Issue of ‘Women’s Achievements and Perspectives in Materials Sciences’ gathers 2 reviews and 13 original research articles with the lead author and/or corresponding author being a woman.

The Thr92Ala-Dio2 polymorphism is prevalent worldwide, with about 50% of the population carrying at least one allele. The Ala92-Dio2 allele encodes a less active D2 enzyme and has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, and insulin resistance. To understand why its phenotypic effects are variable across different populations, in this study, we examined the impact of genetic background on the Thr92Ala-Dio2 polymorphism. We focused on the thyroid gland of two genetically distant mouse strains, the C57BL/6J (B6) and the FVB/N (FVB). While the B6-Ala92-Dio2 mice have no meaningful phenotype, the FVB-Ala92-Dio2 exhibit a goiter (about 2.3-fold heavier thyroid) with an about 1.7-fold enlarged thyroid follicular area and impaired hormonogenesis with reduced thyroglobulin content of T4 and T3, 35-50%-lower serum T4 and about 3-fold elevated serum TSH levels. Notably, the FVB-Ala92-Dio2 thyroid glands showed transcriptional evidence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), autophagy, and apoptosis. Female FVB-Ala92-Dio2 mice exhibited a more pronounced thyroid phenotype than males. These findings underscore the critical role of genetic background in modulating the phenotype outcomes of the Thr92Ala-Dio2 polymorphism and highlight its potential implications for understanding variable disease susceptibility in human populations.

The literature shows a strong relationship between innovation and competitiveness. Innovation alone does not guarantee its impacts, making entrepreneurship key to converting innovations into new businesses. On the other hand, entrepreneurship is subject to corruption, and research exploring these two variables presents ambiguous or inconclusive results. Thus, studying these four variables acting concomitantly helps to achieve a deeper understanding of these relationships. This work aims to verify the role of entrepreneurship in the relationship between innovation and competitiveness and whether corruption has positive or negative effects on entrepreneurship. Secondary data from the Global Competitiveness Report and the Entrepreneurship Database project from The World Bank were used, generating a sample of 101 countries with data from both sources. The analysis adopted mediation and moderated mediation techniques. The results show the mediating role of entrepreneurship in the relationship between innovation and global competitiveness. Furthermore, the study found that corruption has a moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurship and competitiveness, verifying a decrease in the mediating effect of entrepreneurship on the proposed model. Counterintuitively, the findings revealed that the greater the corruption in the country, the greater the effect of innovation on competitiveness via entrepreneurship. It also shows the influence of corruption in opening new businesses and increasing the countries’ competitiveness. The research demonstrates the importance of measuring the level of entrepreneurship in traditional international reports to accurately analyze the countries’ stage of development and the population’s well-being. Furthermore, particular emphasis is given on how discussions on innovation can contribute to advancing knowledge for solutions to complex problems and issues, such as corruption.

A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) holds key responsibilities, including directing strategies, making crucial decisions, and leading the firm toward achieving its objectives. The success or failure of a company largely depends on its leadership and its commitment to sustainability, which are closely tied to the personalities of its key players. Our bibliometric and Systematic Literature Review provides valuable insights into this relationship, addressing various research perspectives on CEOs' personality traits and corporate leadership. Our findings reveal that academic studies predominantly focus on analyzing dark personality traits, especially narcissism and overconfidence, due to the positive public perceptions these traits often generate. Notably, we suggest that these traits may be positively associated with environmental proactivity, especially in promoting initiatives to combat climate change. Conversely, fewer studies have examined bright personality traits that we advocate may be more effective to advancing social policies such as those promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion or protection of human rights. In this vein, we propose an integrative and holistic research agenda to guide future studies. Additionally, we highlight the importance of considering CEOs' personality traits during recruitment, selection, and triaging processes.

This work describes employing different carbon allotropes, i.e., carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene quantum dots, and graphene species, in the constructions of different electrochemical sensors and their applications in determining different species in real samples.

In this study, a solvothermal method was used to synthesize a composite of iron oxide nanostructures on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which was applied as a resistive sensor for hydrogen gas (H2) detection. The nanocomposite was produced with three different iron oxide concentrations (Fe1@CNT, Fe2@CNT, and Fe3@CNT) to investigate the effect of iron species on CNTs and their interaction with hydrogen. Electron microscopy revealed that increasing iron oxide content led to the deterioration of the CNT walls. Raman and FTIR spectra confirmed the predominant presence of α‐Fe2O3 (hematite) on the CNTs, while XPS analysis verified the presence of multiple iron oxides species. High‐resolution XPS of the Fe 2p region indicated the existence of Fe3O4 (magnetite), Fe2O3 (hematite), and FeO (iron(II) oxide) associated with the CNTs. The sample with the lowest iron oxide concentration (Fe1@CNT) showed a 45 % sensor response to hydrogen in a dry air atmosphere and the longest recovery time, suggesting a stronger interaction between hydrogen and the nanocomposite. Density functional theory calculations further revealed that the presence of iron oxide on the CNT surface significantly altered its electronic properties, particularly by introducing more electronic states near the Fermi level, which enhanced electronic exchange between H2 and the carbon nanotube containing iron oxide.

Purpose: This article examines the role of operational capabilities as a mediator factor in the relationship between supply chain integration and operational performance. Originality/value: This is one of the first empirical studies to explore the relationship between elements of supply chain management—including strategy, structure, and operational capabilities—and performance. We imply that the strategy–structure supply chain management capabilities and performance (SS-M-CP) paradigm adopted was useful to understand the cumulative role of operational capabilities as well as supply chain management as an administrative department with authority to integrate organizational strategies and structures to influence the operational capabilities and leverage operational performance. Design/methodology/approach: Structural equation modeling was used to survey 138 strategic and operational supply chain managers of Brazilian and foreign companies headquartered in Brazil and associated with the capital goods industry. The hypotheses were validated, and the results showed the integration of organizational strategies and structures in supply chain management and a partial mediating factor of operational capabilities in the relationship between supply chain management and operational performance. Findings: The study validates the instrument that forms the strategies, structures, operational capabilities, and supply chain management for decision-making practices and analyses of potential mismatches in its implementation. The article contributes to the legacy of supply chain management research by providing theoretical understanding and empirical support for the SS-M-CP paradigm, which, when aligned, can improve and gain a competitive advantage. KEYWORDS: organizational strategy; organizational structure; supply chain management; operational capabilities; operational performance

In an era characterized by intellectual debates on the construction of the Nation-State, civil rights, and the abolition or preservation of the slavery society, the abolitionist, poet and certificated lawyer Luiz Gama, is examined as a social thinker and architect of a “future Brazil.” This study aims to analyze and compare Luiz Gama’s discourse regarding his path towards fostering citizenship in Brazil and shaping post-abolition public policies (which he did not live to witness). Alongside Gama, the study also includes discourse from diverse nineteenth-century thinkers, namely Marques de Queluz, José Bonifácio, José de Alencar, and André Rebouças. In contrast to these thinkers, Gama’s position is observed to prioritize key elements such as the Republic, abolition, and basic education (characterized by its secular, mandatory, and inclusive nature) in realizing access to citizenship and achieving effective democracy. Luiz Gama envisioned the implementation of a social organizational model rooted in a democratic, Republican, federative state, featuring decentralized political participation beyond the capital, and grounded in the aforementioned education for all inhabitants of Brazilian territory, regardless of origin, race, or creed. It is important to note that the author’s notion of universality is perceived as male-oriented (although he does not explicitly prohibit access for girls and women, there is no mention of them in his texts).