bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principles of ion recognition in RNA: insights from the group II intron structures
Authors: Marcia Marco , Pyle Anna Marie
Published: February 2014

Metal ions promote both RNA folding and catalysis, thus being essential in stabilizing the structure and determining the function of large RNA molecules, including group II introns. The latter are self-splicing metalloribozymes, containing a heteronuclear four-metal-ion center within the active site. In addition to these catalytic ions, group II introns bind many other structural ions, including delocalized ions that bind the RNA diffusively and well-ordered ions that bind the RNA tightly with high occupancy. The latter ions, which can be studied by biophysical methods, have not yet been analyzed systematically. Here, we compare crystal structures of the group IIC intron fromOceanobacillus iheyensisand classify numerous site-bound ions, which are primarily localized in the intron core and near long-range tertiary contacts. Certain ion-binding sites resemble motifs observed in known RNA structures, while others are idiosyncratic to the group II intron. Particularly interesting are (1) ions proximal to the active site, which may participate in splicing together with the catalytic four-metal-ion center, (2) organic ions that bind regions predicted to interact with intron-encoded proteins, and (3) unusual monovalent ions bound to GU wobble pairs, GA mismatches, the S-turn, the tetraloop-receptor, and the T-loop. Our analysis extends the general principles by which ions participate in RNA structural organization and it will aid in the determination and interpretation of future RNA structures.
As novas odisseias de Ulisses: políticas de saúde e a imigração em Espanha e na U.E.
Authors: Ferreira J. Flávio
Published: February 2014

Vários são os fenómenos aparentemente isolados que vêm apontar uma relação entre as políticas punitivas e/ou de controlo populacional dos Estados e a “criminalização” de determinados grupos sociais. No entanto, se tomarmos como referência a própria crise vivenciada pela União Europeia, é possível perceber-se uma ambiguidade em relação à imigração “extracomunitária” na Europa contemporânea que ora intercambia o discurso punitivo com um discurso de “integração” baseado em políticas multiculturais. A síndrome de Ulisses, modelo psiquiátrico cada vez mais popular nos Estados da U.E. para explicar a sintomatologia específica de imigrantes não-europeus, vem evidenciar as contradições desta relação. Tanto no campo da “saúde”, quanto da política carcerária, a U.E. prolonga-se potencialmente como um laboratório do “olhar colonial”, no qual o imigrante extracomunitário - principalmente o “ilegal” - vem sendo crescentemente compreendido como um ser que se contrapõe à noção de “modernidade”. A partir da correlação Estado/política de controlo de fronteiras pretende-se aqui revisitar este complexo contexto em perspectiva pós-colonial crítica.
Área funerária romana em Évora: dos restos ósseos aos rituais funerários
Authors: Fernandes Teresa Matos , Paredes Joana , Rebocho Lurdes , Lopes Maria Helena , Janeirinho Vânia
Published: February 2014

Após intervenção parcial numa área funerária romana (datada entre os sécs. I e II d.C.) identificada em Évora, foi analisado em laboratório o conteúdo osteológico e odontológico de 11 estruturas funerárias de cremação e uma de inumação. Cruzando os resultados da análise antropológica com o espólio arqueológico associado foram obtidas informações em torno dos rituais funerários, nomeadamente os associados à cremação, e traçado o perfil biológico dos indivíduos. Verificou-se uma alta variabilidade na construção e utilização das estruturas funerárias, quer na tipologia das mesmas, quer no processamento pós-crematório, fenómeno comum em áreas funerárias romanas de Hispania, tal como no restante espaço do Império romano. Não foi identificada qualquer relação entre o tipo de estruturas, as oferendas e a distribuição etária e sexual presente. No entanto, foi possível observar, na área intervencionada, a tendência para a utilização de graus de combustão elevados, a aplicação da cremação exclusivamente a cadáveres e não a esqueletos e a forte presença de não adultos, a maioria com menos de um ano de vida (5/10). Este último facto, se se estendesse a toda a área funerária, poderia indicar uma alta mortalidade infantil na época, e surpreende pela conservação de restos deindivíduos muito jovens, face à fragilidade dos seus ossos.
Conceptions of quality of life, body and gender among Turkish breast cancer patients
Authors: Terzioglu Aysecan
Published: February 2014

In accord with the increasing cancer rates, cancer became a highly visible illness, and cancer patients’ associations became more active and popular in Turkey. Many of those associations emphasize the concept of “quality of life,” and aim at inculcating a holistic and individualistic approach on health. That concept stresses the psychological and social factors, which affect the patients’ illness experience, and aims at empowering the patients by suggesting ways to improve their lives. However, the discourse on quality of life, which is shaped by the medical scientists, health care providers and cancer patients’ associations, often overlooks the patients’ socio-economic status and environmental factors, which affect their illness. Therefore, the concept of quality of life, which recently became popular, has different meanings for different cancer patients, depending on their demographic and socioeconomic background. For the breast cancer patients with a disadvantaged background, having cancer and a good quality of life creates an oxymoron, whereas the ones with a higher socio-economic status define having a good quality of life as an attainable goal for them. In this work, I will explore how the Turkish women with breast cancer define quality of life, and relate their conceptions of body, gender and health with that concept. My research took place in three different hospitals in Istanbul in order to canvass a broad range of cancer patients in terms of their demographic and socioeconomic status. It includes semi-structured interviews with female breast cancer patients on their illness experience and conceptions of quality of life.
Assessment of the intake of tryptophan-enriched cereals in the elderly and its influence on the sleep-wake circadian rhythm
Authors: Bravo Rafael , Matito Sergio , Cubero Javier , Franco Lourdes , Sánchez Cristina , Rodríguez Ana B. , Rivero Montserrat , Barriga Carmen
Published: February 2014

Sleep-wake circadian rhythm disturbances are a common problem associated to aging. Although this problem can be caused by several factors, low levels of the indol melatonin are related with these alterations. Our aim was to evaluate if the consumption of cereals enriched with tryptophan, the precursor of both serotonin and melatonin, can enhance sleep problems in elderly people. Participants (n=12; aged 55-67 yr) were selected from Elderly people University of The University of Extremadura. During all the assay participants wore a wrist actimeter and they filled every week an STAI anxiety test. Data were collected following this schedule: Control week: participants ingested a control cereal both at breakfast anddinner (22.5 mg tryptophan/ 30g product per dose); Treatment Week: volunteers consumed a tryptophan enriched cereal both at breakfast and dinner (60mg tryptophan/30g product per dose); Post-treatment week: participants ingested their habitual diet. We observed a decrease in sleep latency (p<0.01), wake bouts (p>0.05) and sleep fragmentation (p<0.001); on the other hand, an increase in actual sleep time (p<0.01), sleep efficiency (p<0.01) and immobile time (p<0.01) were detected. With respect to the anxiety test, there was an improvement in the state of anxiety. In conclusion, through a tryptophanenriched diet age related sleep problems can be improved.
Optimal policy and Taylor rule cross-checking under parameter uncertainty
Authors: Bursian Dirk , Roth Markus
Published: February 2014

We examine whether the robustifying nature of Taylor rule cross-checking under model uncertainty carries over to the case of parameter uncertainty. Adjusting monetary policy based on this kind of cross-checking can improve the outcome for the monetary authority. This, however, crucially depends on the relative welfare weight that is attached to the output gap and also the degree of monetary policy commitment. We find that Taylor rule cross-checking is on average able to improve losses when the monetary authority only moderately cares about output stabilization and when policy is set in a discretionary way.
Global gradient estimates for elliptic equations of p(x)-Laplacian type with BMO nonlinearity
Authors: Byun Sun-Sig , Ok Jihoon , Ryu Seungjin
Published: February 2014

We consider a nonlinear elliptic problem in divergence form, with nonstandard growth conditions, on a bounded domain. We obtain the global Calderón–Zygmund type gradient estimates for the weak solution of such a problem in the setting of Lebesgue and Sobolev spaces with variable p(x) exponents, in the case that the nonlinearity of the coefficients is allowed to be discontinuous and the domain goes beyond the Lipschitz category. We assume that the nonlinearity has small BMO semi-norms and the boundary of the domain satisfies the so-called δ-Reifenberg flatness condition. These conditions on the nonlinearity and the boundary are weaker than those reported in other studies in the literature.
Iridoids from the stems of Viburnum erosum
Authors: In Seo-Ji , Seo Kyeong-Hwa , Song Na-Young , Song Myoung-Chong , An Eun-Mi , Baek Nam-In
Published: February 2014

Two new iridoids were isolated and identified to three known ones, namely, loganic acid (2), sweroside (3), and 7-O-tigloylsecologanol (4), from the stems of Viburnum erosum. Dried stems of V. erosum were extracted with 80% methanol (MeOH), and the concentrated extract was partitioned successively with ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butyl alcohol (n-BuOH), and H2O. Five compounds were isolated after repeated silica gel (SiO2), octadecyl SiO2 (ODS), and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography of the EtOAc fraction. The chemical structures of the compounds were determined based on spectroscopic data from 1H- and 13C-NMR, DEPT, and 2D-NMR (gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC) data. The new iridoids were identified as 3,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-cyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid (1) and rel-(1S,5R,9S)-9-ethenyl-1-(β-D-glucopyrinosyloxy)-5,9-dihydro-5-{2-[(2-methylbut-2-enoyl)oxy]ethyl}-1H-pyran-4-carboxylic acid (5) and named viburnin and epi-7-O-tigloylsecologanolic acid, respectively. This is the first report of the isolation of these five iridoids from V. erosum.
A Least Cost Transmission Planning Model Considering Operation Cost
Authors: Alayo Jorge Hans
Published: February 2014

Existing transmission planning models consider basic aspects of the problem. In practice, a transmission utility needs to model other important details such as operation cost of the power system. In this article, a least cost transmission expansion model is proposed considering the operation cost in order to model the trade-off between building new transmission capacity and increasing the power system’s operation cost. The proposed model is transformed into a mixed integer linear programming problem using linearization techniques and solved with CPLEX. Finally, results of the model for the Garver test system and IEEE 24-bus test system are shown.
Scan statistics analysis for detection of introns in time-course tiling array data
Authors: Reiner-Benaim Anat , Davis Ronald W. , Juneau Kara
Published: February 2014

A tiling array yields a series of abundance measurements across the genome using evenly spaced probes. These data can be used for detecting sequences that exhibit a particular behavior. Scanning window statistics are often employed for testing each probe while accounting for local correlation and smoothing noisy measurements. However, window testing may yield false probe discoveries around the sequences and false non-discoveries within the sequences, resulting in biased predicted intervals. We propose to avoid this problem by stipulating that a sequence of interest can appear at most once within a defined region, such as a gene; thus, only one window statistic is considered per region. This substantially reduces the number of tests and hence, is potentially more powerful. We compare this approach to a genome-wise scan that does not require pre-defined search regions, but considers clumps of adjacent probe discoveries. Simulations show that the gene-wise search maintains the nominal FDR level, while the genome-wise scan yields FDR that exceeds the nominal level for low interval effects, and achieves slightly less power. Using arrays to map introns in yeast, we identified 71% of the previously published introns, detected nine previously undiscovered introns, and observed no false intron discoveries by either method.
UV Irradiation Accelerates Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Processing and Disrupts APP Axonal Transport
Authors: Almenar-Queralt Angels , Falzone Tomas L. , Shen Zhouxin , Lillo Concepcion , Killian Rhiannon L. , Arreola Angela S. , Niederst Emily D. , Ng Kheng S. , Kim Sonia N. , Briggs Steven P. , Williams David S. , Goldstein Lawrence S.B.
Published: February 2014

Overexpression and/or abnormal cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) are linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) development and progression. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cellular levels of APP or its processing, and the physiological and pathological consequences of altered processing are not well understood. Here, using mouse and human cells, we found that neuronal damage induced by UV irradiation leads to specific APP, APLP1, and APLP2 decline by accelerating their secretase-dependent processing. Pharmacological inhibition of endosomal/lysosomal activity partially protects UV-induced APP processing implying contribution of the endosomal and/or lysosomal compartments in this process. We found that a biological consequence of UV-induced γ-secretase processing of APP is impairment of APP axonal transport. To probe the functional consequences of impaired APP axonal transport, we isolated and analyzed presumptive APP-containing axonal transport vesicles from mouse cortical synaptosomes using electron microscopy, biochemical, and mass spectrometry analyses. We identified a population of morphologically heterogeneous organelles that contains APP, the secretase machinery, molecular motors, and previously proposed and new residents of APP vesicles. These possible cargoes are enriched in proteins whose dysfunction could contribute to neuronal malfunction and diseases of the nervous system including AD. Together, these results suggest that damage-induced APP processing might impair APP axonal transport, which could result in failure of synaptic maintenance and neuronal dysfunction.
SPIG1 Negatively Regulates BDNF Maturation
Authors: Suzuki Ryoko , Matsumoto Masahito , Fujikawa Akihiro , Kato Akira , Kuboyama Kazuya , Yonehara Keisuke , Shintani Takafumi , Sakuta Hiraki , Noda Masaharu
Published: February 2014

We previously identified SPARC-related protein-containing immunoglobulin domains 1 (SPIG1, also known as Follistatin-like protein 4) as one of the dorsal-retina-specific molecules expressed in the developing chick retina. We here demonstrated that the knockdown ofSPIG1in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of developing chick embryos induced the robust ectopic branching of dorsal RGC axons and failed to form a tight terminal zone at the proper position on the tectum. The knockdown ofSPIG1in RGCs also led to enhanced axon branchingin vitro. However, this was canceled by the addition of a neutralizing antibody against brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to the culture medium. SPIG1 and BDNF were colocalized in vesicle-like structures in cells. SPIG1 bound with the proform of BDNF (proBDNF) but very weakly with mature BDNFin vitro. The expression and secretion of mature BDNF were significantly decreased when SPIG1 was exogenously expressed with BDNF in HEK293T or PC12 cells. The amount of mature BDNF proteins as well as the tyrosine phosphorylation level of the BDNF receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), in the hippocampus were significantly higher inSPIG1-knockout mice than in wild-type mice. Here the spine density of CA1 pyramidal neurons was consistently increased. Together, these results suggest that SPIG1 negatively regulated BDNF maturation by binding to proBDNF, thereby suppressing axonal branching and spine formation.
Global Optogenetic Activation of Inhibitory Interneurons during Epileptiform Activity
Authors: Ledri Marco , Madsen Marita Grønning , Nikitidou Litsa , Kirik Deniz , Kokaia Merab
Published: February 2014

Optogenetic techniques provide powerful tools for bidirectional control of neuronal activity and investigating alterations occurring in excitability disorders, such as epilepsy. In particular, the possibility to specifically activate by light-determined interneuron populations expressing channelrhodopsin-2 provides an unprecedented opportunity of exploring their contribution to physiological and pathological network activity. There are several subclasses of interneurons in cortical areas with different functional connectivity to the principal neurons (e.g., targeting their perisomatic or dendritic compartments). Therefore, one could optogenetically activate specific or a mixed population of interneurons and dissect their selective or concerted inhibitory action on principal cells. We chose to explore a conceptually novel strategy involving simultaneous activation of mixed populations of interneurons by optogenetics and study their impact on ongoing epileptiform activity in mouse acute hippocampal slices. Here we demonstrate that such approach results in a brief initial action potential discharge in CA3 pyramidal neurons, followed by prolonged suppression of ongoing epileptiform activity during light exposure. Such sequence of events was caused by massive light-induced release of GABA from ChR2-expressing interneurons. The inhibition of epileptiform activity was less pronounced if only parvalbumin- or somatostatin-expressing interneurons were activated by light. Our data suggest that global optogenetic activation of mixed interneuron populations is a more effective approach for development of novel therapeutic strategies for epilepsy, but the initial action potential generation in principal neurons needs to be taken in consideration.
Proteasome Modulates Positive and Negative Translational Regulators in Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Dong Chenghai , Bach Svitlana V. , Haynes Kathryn A. , Hegde Ashok N.
Published: February 2014

Proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway appears to have a complex role in synaptic plasticity, but its various functions remain to be elucidated. Using late phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) in the hippocampus of the mouse as a model for long-term synaptic plasticity, we previously showed that inhibition of the proteasome enhances induction but blocks maintenance of L-LTP. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms by which proteasome inhibition has opposite effects on L-LTP induction and maintenance. Our results show that inhibiting phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase or blocking the interaction between eukaryotic initiation factors 4E (eIF4E) and 4G (eIF4G) reduces the enhancement of L-LTP induction brought about by proteasome inhibition suggesting interplay between proteolysis and the signaling pathway mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Also, proteasome inhibition leads to accumulation of translational activators in the mTOR pathway such as eIF4E and eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) early during L-LTP causing increased induction. Furthermore, inhibition of the proteasome causes a buildup of translational repressors, such as polyadenylate-binding protein interacting protein 2 (Paip2) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 2 (4E-BP2), during late stages of L-LTP contributing to the blockade of L-LTP maintenance. Thus, the proteasome plays a critical role in regulating protein synthesis during L-LTP by tightly controlling translation. Our results provide novel mechanistic insights into the interplay between protein degradation and protein synthesis in long-term synaptic plasticity.
Neuropeptidergic Signaling Partitions Arousal Behaviors in Zebrafish
Authors: Woods Ian G. , Schoppik David , Shi Veronica J. , Zimmerman Steven , Coleman Haley A. , Greenwood Joel , Soucy Edward R. , Schier Alexander F.
Published: February 2014

Animals modulate their arousal state to ensure that their sensory responsiveness and locomotor activity match environmental demands. Neuropeptides can regulate arousal, but studies of their roles in vertebrates have been constrained by the vast array of neuropeptides and their pleiotropic effects. To overcome these limitations, we systematically dissected the neuropeptidergic modulation of arousal in larval zebrafish. We quantified spontaneous locomotor activity and responsiveness to sensory stimuli after genetically induced expression of seven evolutionarily conserved neuropeptides, including adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1b (adcyap1b), cocaine-related and amphetamine-related transcript (cart), cholecystokinin (cck), calcitonin gene-related peptide (cgrp), galanin, hypocretin, and nociceptin. Our study reveals that arousal behaviors are dissociable: neuropeptide expression uncoupled spontaneous activity from sensory responsiveness, and uncovered modality-specific effects upon sensory responsiveness. Principal components analysis and phenotypic clustering revealed both shared and divergent features of neuropeptidergic functions: hypocretin and cgrp stimulated spontaneous locomotor activity, whereas galanin and nociceptin attenuated these behaviors. In contrast, cart and adcyap1b enhanced sensory responsiveness yet had minimal impacts on spontaneous activity, and cck expression induced the opposite effects. Furthermore, hypocretin and nociceptin induced modality-specific differences in responsiveness to changes in illumination. Our study provides the first systematic and high-throughput analysis of neuropeptidergic modulation of arousal, demonstrates that arousal can be partitioned into independent behavioral components, and reveals novel and conserved functions of neuropeptides in regulating arousal.
The Shape of Dendritic Arbors in Different Functional Domains of the Cortical Orientation Map
Authors: Levy Manuel , Lu Zhongyang , Dion Grace , Kara Prakash
Published: February 2014

The neocortex is organized into macroscopic functional maps. However, at the microscopic scale, the functional preference and degree of feature selectivity between neighboring neurons can vary considerably. In the primary visual cortex, adjacent neurons in iso-orientation domains share the same orientation preference, whereas neighboring neurons near pinwheel centers are tuned to different stimulus orientations. Moreover, several studies have found greater orientation selectivity in iso-orientation domains than in pinwheel centers. These differences suggest that neurons sample local inputs in a spatially homogenous fashion and independently of the location of their soma on the orientation map. Here we determine whether dendritic geometry is affected by neuronal position on the orientation map. We labeled individual layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons with fluorescent dyes in specific domains of the orientation map in cat primary visual cortex and imaged their dendritic treesin vivoby two-photon microscopy. We found that the circularity and uniformity of dendritic trees is independent of somatic position on the orientation map. Moreover, the dendrites of neurons located close to pinwheel centers extend across all orientation domains in an unbiased fashion. Thus, unbiased dendritic trees appear to provide an anatomical substrate for the systematic variations in feature selectivity across the orientation map.
Legal and Ethical Values in the Resolution of Research-Related Disputes: How Can IRBs Respond to Participant Complaints?
Authors: Underhill Kristen
Published: February 2014

Under US federal regulations, participants providing informed consent must receive information regarding whom to contact in case of a research-related injury or complaint. Although informed consent processes routinely direct participants to contact institutional review boards (IRBs) with questions or concerns, there has been little empirical study of the ways in which IRBs act to resolve participants' research-related complaints. This article explores available literature on participant complaints, considers the responsibilities of IRBs in dispute resolution, and outlines a research agenda. As a case study, this review considers disputes arising from HIV/AIDS research, focusing on novel issues arising from biomedical HIV prevention trials.
Extensive Cotransformation of Natural Variation into Chromosomes of Naturally Competent Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Mell Joshua Chang , Lee Jae Yun , Firme Marlo , Sinha Sunita , Redfield Rosemary J
Published: February 2014

Naturally competent bacterial species actively take up environmental DNA and can incorporate it into their chromosomes by homologous recombination. This can bring genetic variation from environmental DNA to recipient chromosomes, often in multiple long “donor” segments. Here, we report the results of genome sequencing 96 colonies of a laboratory Haemophilus influenzae strain, which had been experimentally transformed by DNA from a diverged clinical isolate. Donor segments averaged 6.9 kb (spanning several genes) and were clustered into recombination tracts of ~19.5 kb. Individual colonies had replaced from 0.1 to 3.2% of their chromosomes, and ~1/3 of all donor-specific single-nucleotide variants were present in at least one recombinant. We found that nucleotide divergence did not obviously limit the locations of recombination tracts, although there were small but significant reductions in divergence at recombination breakpoints. Although indels occasionally transformed as parts of longer recombination tracts, they were common at breakpoints, suggesting that indels typically block progression of strand exchange. Some colonies had recombination tracts in which variant positions contained mixtures of both donor and recipient alleles. These tracts were clustered around the origin of replication and were interpreted as the result of heteroduplex segregation in the original transformed cell. Finally, a pilot experiment demonstrated the utility of natural transformation for genetically dissecting natural phenotypic variation. We discuss our results in the context of the potential to merge experimental and population genetic approaches, giving a more holistic understanding of bacterial gene transfer.
Different Materials of Substrates in the Production of Chili Apple Seedlings (Capsicumpubescens R. and P.) Grajales ST
Authors: Domínguez Martha L. , Villegas Oscar G. , Sotelo Héctor , Acosta Carlos M. , Pérez Mario , Rodríguez Diana
Published: February 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 12 substrates in the seedling growth of chili apple (Capsicum pubescens R. & P.) hybrid Grajales ST. The substrates were prepared with different proportions of five materials: perlite, coconut fiber, loam, Sunshine3 ® and wood dust. The seeds were sown in trays of 50 cavities. For the substrates were determined physical and chemical properties. Significant differences in growth parameters of seedlings are the effect of the substrate. Based on the remarkable accumulation of dry matter of each of the organs of the seedling, and their relative distribution, one can surmise a seedling quality with 47.70 % dry matter in leaves, 35.34 % in stem and 16.95 % in root. The substrate with better features for the production of chile apple seedlings was prepared with 25 % loam and 75 % perlite (v/v), which showed retention of 85.5 % moisture, electrical conductivity of 0.03 dS·m-1 and total porosity of 62.5 %.
Impact Toughness of Isothermally Treated Duplex Stainless Steels
Authors: Calliari I. , Breda M. , Straffelini G. , Miranda Perez A. F. , Reyes Valdes F. A.
Published: February 2014

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) have good mechanical and corrosion resistance properties which allow their application in very aggressive environments. However, their aging at 600–1000 °C causes the precipitation of dangerous intermetallic phases, resulting in serious detrimental effects on their interesting properties. These secondary phases are structural discontinuities which act as preferential cracks initiation sites and their negative effect is especially highlighted on toughness. For these reasons, many standards related to the manufacturing of DSS require the microstructure of these steels "free from intermetallics". In this paper, the effect of isothermal heat treatments on the impact toughness in two Duplex steels (SAF 2205 and Zeron®100) has been investigated, in order to study the influence of different amount of secondary phases on the toughness response.
Synthesis of Cu2(ZnCd)SnS4 Absorber Material for Monograin Membrane Applications
Authors: Nkwusi Godswill , Leinemann Inga , Raudoja Jaan , Mikli Valdek , Kauk-Kuusik Marit , Altosaar Mare , Mellikov Enn
Published: February 2014

CZTS monograin powder samples were synthesized in CdI2 as flux material. The obtained materials were analysed by EDX, SEM, and Raman methods. It was found that Cd from flux was incorporated into the formed compound leading to the formation of solid solution Cu2Zn1-xCdxSnS4. The content of Cd in the compound was studied in the dependence of synthesis temperature and time. It was found that Cd content in the formed Cu2Zn1-xCdxSnS4 did not depend on synthesis duration at constant temperature and increased with temperature. The activation energy of the Cd incorporation process was estimated as 17.5 ± 2 kJ/mol.
Febre amarela silvestre: reemergência de transmissão no estado de São Paulo, Brasil, 2009
Authors: Mascheretti Melissa , Tengan Ciléa H , Sato Helena Keiko , Suzuki Akemi , Souza Renato Pereira de , Maeda Marina , Brasil Roosecelis , Pereira Mariza , Tubaki Rosa Maria , Wanderley Dalva M V , Fortaleza Carlos Magno Castelo Branco , Ribeiro Ana Freitas
Published: February 2014

OBJETIVO Descrever a investigação do surto de febre amarela silvestre e as principais medidas de controle realizadas no estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS Estudo descritivo do surto de febre amarela silvestre na região sudoeste do estado, entre fevereiro e abril de 2009. Foram avaliados casos suspeitos e confirmados em humanos e primatas não humanos. A investigação entomológica, em ambiente silvestre, envolveu captura em solo e copa de árvore para identificação das espécies e detecção de infecção natural. Foram realizadas ações de controle de Aedes aegypti em áreas urbanas. A vacinação foi direcionada para residentes dos municípios com confirmação de circulação viral e nos municípios contíguos, conforme recomendação nacional. RESULTADOS Foram confirmados 28 casos humanos (letalidade 39,3%) em áreas rurais de Sarutaiá, Piraju, Tejupá, Avaré e Buri. Foram notificadas 56 mortes de primatas não humanos, 91,4% do gênero Alouatta sp . A epizootia foi confirmada laboratorialmente em dois primatas não humanos, sendo um em Buri e outro em Itapetininga. Foram coletados 1.782 mosquitos, entre eles Haemagogus leucocelaenus , Hg. janthinomys/capricornii , Sabethes chloropterus , Sa. purpureus e Sa. undosus . O vírus da febre amarela foi isolado de um lote de Hg. leucocelaenus procedente de Buri. A vacinação foi realizada em 49 municípios, com 1.018.705 doses aplicadas e o registro de nove eventos adversos graves pós-vacinação. CONCLUSÕES Os casos humanos ocorreram entre fevereiro e abril de 2009 em áreas sem registro de circulação do vírus da febre amarela há mais de 60 anos. A região encontrava-se fora da área com recomendação de vacinação, com alto percentual da população suscetível. A adoção oportuna de medidas de controle permitiu a interrupção da transmissão humana em um mês, assim como a confirmação da circulação viral em humanos, primatas não humanos e mosquitos. Os isolamentos facilitaram a identificação das áreas de circulação viral, mas são importantes novos estudos para esclarecer a dinâmica de transmissão da doença.
Tendências temporais de índices de vegetação nos campos do Pampa do Brasil e do Uruguai
Authors: Wagner Ana Paula Luz , Fontana Denise Cybis , Fraisse Clyde , Weber Eliseu José , Hasenack Heinrich
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a redução do vigor vegetativo da cobertura vegetal do Pampa do Brasil e do Uruguai, por meio da identificação de tendências negativas em séries temporais de imagens. Utilizaram-se séries temporais de imagens de NDVI/EVI do sensor Modis, de 2000 a 2011; imagens de índices de umidade do solo do "climate forecast system reanalysis"; e dados de precipitação pluvial de estações meteorológicas. O estudo quantificou tendências lineares e não lineares nas séries de NDVI e EVI, em áreas de campos. Na tendência monotônica de Mann-Kendall, a 5% de probabilidade, 81,9% da área total estudada foi significativa com o NDVI, e 74,8%, com o EVI; no entanto, o EVI apresentou contraste superior na estimativa dos parâmetros. Os resultados mostraram maior sinal negativo a oeste, com valores médios de R²>0,15, r<-0,3 e τ <-0,15 na tendência dos índices de vegetação, e tendência decrescente para NDVI, EVI e precipitação pluvial, com menores valores médios de umidade do solo. A tendência negativa dos índices de vegetação, relacionada à combinação da ocorrência de deficit hídrico em solos rasos com o sobrepastoreio, indica alterações no padrão de cobertura vegetal do Pampa, com redução do vigor vegetativo.
Characterization of cowpea genotype resistance to Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: Castro Maria de Jesus Passos de , Baldin Edson Luiz Lopes , Cruz Patrícia Leite , Souza Camila Moreira de , Silva Paulo Henrique Soares da
Published: February 2014

The objective of this work was to characterize the resistance of 50 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes to Callosobruchus maculatus. A completely randomized design with five replicates per treatment (genotype) was used. No-choice tests were performed using the 50 cowpea genotypes to evaluate the preference for oviposition and the development of the weevil. The genotypes IT85 F-2687, MN05-841 B-49, MNC99-508-1, MNC99-510-8, TVu 1593, Canapuzinho-1-2, and Sanzi Sambili show non-preference-type resistance (oviposition and feeding). IT81 D-1045 Ereto and IT81 D-1045 Enramador exhibit antibiosis against C. maculatus and descend from resistant genitors, which grants them potential to be used in future crossings to obtain cowpea varieties with higher levels of resistance.
Caracterização do gene vip3A e toxicidade da proteína Vip3Aa50 à lagarta-do-cartucho e à lagarta-da-soja
Authors: Figueiredo Camila Soares , Marucci Suzana Cristina , Tezza Renata Izabel Dozzi , Lemos Manoel Victor Franco , Desidério Janete Apparecida
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o gene vip3A de Bacillus thuringiensis e verificar a toxicidade da proteína Vip3Aa50 a larvas da lagarta-do-cartucho (Spodoptera frugiperda) e da lagarta-da-soja (Anticarsia gemmatalis). O gene vip3A foi amplificado por PCR, com iniciadores específicos, e gerou um fragmento de 2.370 pb. Esse fragmento foi clonado em vetor pGEM-T Easy e, em seguida, sequenciado, subclonado em vetor de expressão pET-28a (+) e inserido em células de Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). A expressão da proteína Vip3Aa50 foi induzida por isopropil-β-D-1-tiogalactopiranosídeo (IPTG), visualizada em SDS-PAGE e detectada por "Western blot". Os ensaios de toxicidade revelaram alta atividade da proteína Vip3Aa50 contra as larvas neonatas da lagarta-da-soja e da lagarta-do-cartucho, com CL50 de 20,3 e 79,6 ng cm-2, respectivamente. O gene vip3Aa50 é um novo gene da classe vip3A.
Necessidades hídricas de bananeira tipo Terra em condições de tabuleiros costeiros
Authors: Coelho Eugênio Ferreira , Oliveira Raone Cotrim de , Pamponet Arthur José Mendes
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes lâminas de água nas variáveis morfofisiológicas e de produção de três cultivares de bananeira do tipo Terra. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial com 12 tratamentos e três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de lâminas de água correspondentes a 33, 66, 99 e 120% da evapotranspiração da cultura (ETc), além do controle sem irrigação, e das cultivares Terra Maranhão, Terrinha e D'Angola. Avaliaram-se as variáveis morfofisiológicas: altura de planta, diâmetro do pseudocaule, área foliar, condutância estomática e, na colheita, número de dedos e de pencas, e peso de pencas por cacho. Os coeficientes de cultura das cultivares de bananeira tipo Terra foram obtidos a partir da melhor combinação de produtividade e eficiência de uso de água. As lâminas de água de uso consuntivo de 1.599 mm (1,20 da ETc), 922 mm (0,84 da ETc) e 940 mm (1,06 da ETc) correspondem às máximas produtividades e eficiências de uso de água das cultivares Terra Maranhão, Terrinha e D'Angola, respectivamente.
Desempenho agronômico de canola em diferentes espaçamentos entre linhas e densidades de plantas
Authors: Bandeira Taiane Pettenon , Chavarria Geraldo , Tomm Gilberto Omar
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho agronômico da canola em diferentes espaçamentos entre linhas e densidades de plantas. O delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso foi utilizado com quatro repetições, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas foram constituídas pelo espaçamento entre linhas (17, 34, 51 e 68 cm), e as subparcelas pelas densidades de plantas (15, 30, 45 e 60 plantas por metro quadrado). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em 2011 e 2012. Avaliações foram feitas quanto a: número de ramos secundários, terciários e quaternários; número de síliquas nos ramos primários, secundários, terciários e quaternários; número de síliquas por planta; número de grãos por planta; massa de mil grãos; rendimento de grãos; produção biológica aparente por planta; produção de palha e de grãos por planta; e índice de colheita. Os maiores números de ramos, síliquas por planta, e grãos por planta, bem como a maior produção de massa total na planta foram obtidos ao se utilizar a densidade de 15 plantas por metro quadrado. O maior rendimento de grãos por área é obtido ao se utilizar o espaçamento de 17 cm entre linhas e a densidade de 45 plantas por metro quadrado.
Desenvolvimento do milho sob influência de árvores de pau-branco em sistema agrossilvipastoril
Authors: Mendes Marlete Moreira de Sousa , Lacerda Claudivan Feitosa de , Cavalcante Ana Clara Rodrigues , Fernandes Francisco Éden Paiva , Oliveira Teógenes Senna de
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito das árvores de pau-branco (Cordia oncocalyx) sobre parâmetros fisiológicos, altura e biomassa do milho, em diferentes distâncias das árvores, em sistema agrossilvipastoril. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos (distâncias do caule das árvores de 1, 2, 3 e 4 m), além do controle (plantas do cultivo tradicional), e cinco repetições. Cada parcela consistiu de uma árvore de pau-branco, ao centro, e linhas de milho plantadas nas quatro distâncias avaliadas do caule. As medidas fisiológicas e a produção de matéria seca foram registradas aos 30, 60 e 90 dias após o semeio do milho. As plantas sob a copa do pau-branco, a 1 e 2 m do caule, tiveram suas trocas gasosas, altura e produção de matéria seca afetadas pelas árvores. As plantas cultivadas a 3 m do caule tiveram desempenho semelhante ao observado no cultivo tradicional, e as cultivadas a 4 m apresentaram maior fotossíntese, condutância estomática, transpiração, altura e produção de matéria seca. As plantas de milho sob a copa são afetadas negativamente pelo sombreamento das árvores, enquanto as plantas fora da copa podem se beneficiar da presença das árvores no sistema.
Épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio em feijoeiro cultivado após milho solteiro ou consorciado com braquiária
Authors: Soratto Rogério Peres , Fernandes Adalton Mazetti , Pilon Cristiane , Crusciol Carlos Alexandre Costa , Borghi Emerson
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta do feijoeiro a épocas de aplicação de N, em sistema plantio direto, após cultivo de milho solteiro ou consorciado com braquiária. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com arranjo de parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas consistiram de: cultivo de milho solteiro ou milho consorciado com braquiária, nas duas safras de verão precedentes à semeadura do feijão. As subparcelas consistiram de: três épocas de aplicação de 100 kg ha-1 de N, antes e na semeadura, e em cobertura; e uma testemunha, sem aplicação de N. A adubação nitrogenada do feijoeiro aumentou o teor de N na folha, o número de vagens por planta e a produtividade de grãos (33%, na média das épocas de aplicação), apenas no cultivo em sucessão ao milho solteiro. Por proporcionar maior produção de massa e pela ciclagem de N, o cultivo de braquiária consorciada com milho reduziu a necessidade de aplicação de N ao feijoeiro em sucessão, em comparação ao cultivo anterior de milho solteiro. A aplicação antecipada do N, antes ou por ocasião da semeadura do feijão, proporciona produtividade de grãos semelhante à observada com a aplicação em cobertura.
Teses sobre o estatuto subjetivo do significar e comunicar em Kant e Nietzsche
Authors: Garcia André Luis Muniz
Published: February 2014

O presente artigo tem por objetivo, na primeira parte, explorar algumas teses gerais apresentadas por recente pesquisa de Josef Simon acerca do estatuto da linguagem na filosofia de Kant, em especial no que tange ao modo de significar e comunicar presente nas reivindicações de verdade dos juízos. Em segundo lugar, pretende-se pontuar a crítica de Nietzsche a um modo de significar e comunicar ao qual denomina "gregário", contrapondo-o a uma comunicação e significação "individualizada". Como apontamos no final, a visada interlocução entre Kant e Nietzsche acerca do significar e comunicar se dará segundo um aspecto central: o fator subjetivo presente em qualquer reivindicação discursiva da razão.
Funções regulativas em Kant e Nietzsche
Authors: Lima Márcio José Silveira
Published: February 2014

A presença de Kant e possível influência na filosofia de Nietzsche é motivo de muita controvérsia. Se em seus primeiros escritos Nietzsche é claramente influenciado por Kant, os textos do período maduro não deixam perceber com clareza o teor do diálogo que neles se estabelece, uma vez que Nietzsche assume uma postura radical contra Kant. Essa postura esconde justamente que, em meio aos rompimentos diante do idealismo transcendental, Nietzsche permanece devedor de Kant. Um aspecto dessa dívida é a noção de ficção regulativa. Pretendemos, assim, mostrar, primeiramente, que a concepção de Nietzsche de que a falsidade de um juízo não constitui uma objeção contra ele é um traço decisivo de seu pensamento antidogmático e, em seguida, defender que esse antidogmatismo tem ascendência na concepção de Kant de princípios regulativos.
Nietzsche and Neo-Kantian historiography: points of contact
Authors: Jensen Anthony K.
Published: February 2014

In the German academies of Nietzsche's period of writing, the Kantian tradition was largely displaced in favor of two independent schools that have since been labeled "Neo-Kantianism." This paper presents four key theses about philosophy of history from four Neo-Kantian thinkers, how they follow from their adaptation of the Kantian tradition, and how Nietzsche critically engaged the very same issues in the formation of his own historical theory. Although there is little direct influence between orthodox Neo-Kantianism and Nietzsche, their comparison on these points will illuminate their unique adaptations of the Kantian tradition.
On the institution of the moral subject: on the commander and the commanded in Nietzsche's discussion of law
Authors: Bornedal Peter
Published: February 2014

The article discusses how Nietzsche understands the institution of law and morals in distinction to Kant and the Christian tradition. It argues that Nietzsche to a large extent is inspired by the paradigm-shift toward a evolutionary biological thinking introduced by several of his peers in the late 19th century, among else F. A. Lange, who sees this shift as a sobering scientific-materialistic alternative to Kant. In Nietzsche, the Kantian moral imperative is replaced with a notion of a morality emerging thanks to historical, or pre-historical, civilizational processes, imposed on a feebleminded human without any inherent rational dispositions to obey Law. It is also a process, which rather than universalizing the human, splits it in a duality where one part obeys old immediate self-interests and another part obeys new 'commands,' having been shouted 'into the ear' by a so-called 'commander.' The compliance with law takes two radically different forms in Nietzsche: servile and mediocre individuals need to be exposed to discipline and punishment in order to adopt Law; while so-called 'sovereign' individuals are able to impose law upon themselves. The figure of the 'sovereign' has consequently been an issue for vigorous debate in especially the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Nietzsche research, since his apparent 'respect for law' and 'sense of duty' reiterate typical Kantian qualities. Relating to these discussions, I suggest that Nietzsche's 'sovereign' (in one context) is identical his 'commander' (in other contexts). When the 'sovereign' as such imposes law upon himself and others, his act is conventional and arbitrary (like language in Saussure), and is rather irrational than rational as in Kant. His will is not a good will, nor a rational will with a vision of human autonomy. His command of himself and others is a performative, thus without truth-value (like illocutionary speech-acts in Austin and Searle).
Musicofobia, musicofilia e filosofia: Kant e Nietzsche sobre a música
Authors: Branco Maria João Mayer
Published: February 2014

O presente estudo propõe-se questionar a alegada musicofobia de Kant comparando-a com a bem conhecida musicofilia de Nietzsche. A partir da análise das considerações, à primeira vista tão díspares, de ambos os filósofos sobre a música, procurar-se-á mostrar que tal disparidade é apenas aparente, pois, quer para Kant, quer para Nietzsche, a experiência de ouvir música relaciona-se de modo profundo com a experiência de pensar.