bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secondary neutron dose measurement for proton eye treatment using an eye snout with a borated neutron absorber
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Chung Weon Kuu , Shin Jungwook , Lim Young Kyung , Shin Dongho , Lee Se Byeong , Yoon Myongguen , Park Sung-Yong , Shin Dong Oh , Cho Jung Keun
Published: July 2013

Background

We measured and assessed ways to reduce the secondary neutron dose from a system for proton eye treatment.

Methods

Proton beams of 60.30 MeV were delivered through an eye-treatment snout in passive scattering mode. Allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39) etch detectors were used to measure the neutron dose in the external field at 0.00, 1.64, and 6.00 cm depths in a water phantom. Secondary neutron doses were measured and compared between those with and without a high-hydrogen–boron-containing block. In addition, the neutron energy and vertices distribution were obtained by using a Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation.

Results

The ratio of the maximum neutron dose equivalent to the proton absorbed dose (H(10)/D) at 2.00 cm from the beam field edge was 8.79 ± 1.28 mSv/Gy. The ratio of the neutron dose equivalent to the proton absorbed dose with and without a high hydrogen-boron containing block was 0.63 ± 0.06 to 1.15 ± 0.13 mSv/Gy at 2.00 cm from the edge of the field at depths of 0.00, 1.64, and 6.00 cm.

Conclusions

We found that the out-of-field secondary neutron dose in proton eye treatment with an eye snout is relatively small, and it can be further reduced by installing a borated neutron absorbing material.
LRP1 is critical for the surface distribution and internalization of the NR2B NMDA receptor subtype
Authors: Maier Wladislaw , Bednorz Mariola , Meister Sabrina , Roebroek Anton , Weggen Sascha , Schmitt Ulrich , Pietrzik Claus U
Published: July 2013

Background

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are key mediators of excitatory transmission and are implicated in many forms of synaptic plasticity. These receptors are heterotetrameres consisting of two obligatory NR1 and two regulatory subunits, usually NR2A or NR2B. The NR2B subunits are abundant in the early postnatal brain, while the NR2A/NR2B ratio increases during early postnatal development. This shift is driven by NMDA receptor activity. A functional interplay of the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Related Protein 1 (LRP1) NMDA receptor has already been reported. Such abilities as interaction of LRP1 with NMDA receptor subunits or its important role in tPa-mediated NMDA receptor signaling were already demonstrated. Moreover, mice harboring a conditional neuronal knock-out mutation of the entire Lrp1 gene display NMDA-associated behavioral changes. However, the exact role of LRP1 on NMDA receptor function remains still elusive.

Results

To provide a mechanistic explanation for such effects we investigated whether an inactivating knock-in mutation into the NPxY2 motif of LRP1 might influence the cell surface expression of LRP1 and NMDA receptors in primary cortical neurons. Here we demonstrate that a knock-in into the NPxY2 motif of LRP1 results in an increased surface expression of LRP1 and NR2B NMDA receptor subunit due to reduced endocytosis rates of LRP1 and the NR2B subunit in primary neurons derived from LRP1ΔNPxY2 animals. Furthermore, we demonstrate an altered phosphorylation pattern of S1480 and Y1472 in the NR2B subunit at the surface of LRP1ΔNPxY2 neurons, while the respective kinases Fyn and casein kinase II are not differently regulated compared with wild type controls. Performing co-immunoprecipitation experiments we demonstrate that binding of LRP1 to NR2B might be linked by PSD95, is phosphorylation dependent and this regulation mechanism is impaired in LRP1ΔNPxY2 neurons. Finally, we demonstrate hyperactivity and changes in spatial and reversal learning in LRP1ΔNPxY2 mice, confirming the mechanistic interaction in a physiological readout.

Conclusions

In summary, our data demonstrate that LRP1 plays a critical role in the regulation of NR2B expression at the cell surface and may provide a mechanistic explanation for the behavioral abnormalities detected in neuronal LRP1 knock-out animals reported earlier.
Epigenetic regulation of the ribosomal cistron seasonally modulates enrichment of H2A.Z and H2A.Zub in response to different environmental inputs in carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Simonet Nicolas Guillermo , Reyes Mauricio , Nardocci Gino , Molina Alfredo , Alvarez Marco
Published: July 2013

Background

The specific deposition of histone variants into chromatin is an important epigenetic mechanism that contributes to gene regulation through chromatin architectural changes. The histone variant H2A.Z is essential in higher eukaryotes, and its incorporation within chromatin is a relevant process for gene expression and genome stability. However, the dual positive and negative roles of H2A.Z in gene regulation still remain unclear. We previously reported that acclimatization in common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) involves cyclical seasonal gene reprogramming as an adaptation response to its natural environment, when rRNA synthesis and processing are profoundly affected. Epigenetic mechanisms primarily contribute to the transcriptional modulation of ribosomal genes concomitant with the acclimatization process, thus significantly regulating this process. The aim of this study was to describe the presence of several H2A.Z subtypes in carp, and assess the role of H2A.Z on the ribosomal cistron in summer- and winter-acclimatized carp.

Results

This paper reports for the first time about the transcriptional expression of four different H2A.Z subtypes belonging to the same organism. Remarkably, a novel H2A.Z.7 was found, which corresponds to a tissue-specific histone subtype that contains seven amino acid residues longer than the canonical H2A.Z. Moreover, H2A.Z enrichment through the ribosomal cistron was significantly higher during summer, when rRNA transcription and processing are highly active, than it was in winter. Similar patterns of H2A.Z enrichment are found in two seasonally active promoters for genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II, the L41 and Δ

9

-desaturase genes. Interestingly, ubiquitylated-H2A.Z (H2A.Zub) was strongly enriched on regulatory regions of the ribosomal cistron in summer-acclimatized carp. Additionally, H2A.Z was present in both heterochromatin and euchromatin states on ribosomal cistron and RNA polymerase II promoters.

Conclusions

Our study revealed seasonally-dependent H2A.Z enrichment for active ribosomal cistron and RNA polymerase II promoters during the carp environmental adaptation. Moreover, seasonal H2A.Zub enrichment appears as a specific mechanism contributing to the regulation of chromatin architecture under natural conditions. The existence of several H2A.Z subtypes in carp suggests that the epigenetic regulation in this species constitutes a complex and finely tuned mechanism developed to cope with seasonal environmental changes that occur in its habitat.
Surface modification of PLGA nanoparticles via human serum albumin conjugation for controlled delivery of docetaxel
Authors: Manoochehri Saeed , Darvishi Behrad , Kamalinia Golnaz , Amini Mohsen , Fallah Mahdieh , Ostad Seyed Naser , Atyabi Fatemeh , Dinarvand Rassoul
Published: July 2013

Background

Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) based nanoparticles are considered to be a promising drug carrier in tumor targeting but suffer from the high level of opsonization by reticuloendothelial system due to their hydrophobic structure. As a result surface modification of these nanoparticles has been widely studied as an essential step in their development. Among various surface modifications, human serum albumin (HSA) possesses advantages including small size, hydrophilic surface and accumulation in leaky vasculature of tumors through passive targeting and a probable active transport into tumor tissues.

Methods

PLGA nanoparticles of docetaxel were prepared by emulsification evaporation method and were surface conjugated with human serum albumin. Fourier transform infrared spectrum was used to confirm the conjugation reaction where nuclear magnetic resonance was utilized for conjugation ratio determination. In addition, transmission electron microscopy showed two different contrast media in conjugated nanoparticles. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of free docetaxel, unconjugated and conjugated PLGA nanoparticles was studied in HepG2 cells.

Results

Size, zeta potential and drug loading of PLGA nanoparticles were about 199 nm, −11.07 mV, and 4%, respectively where size, zeta potential and drug loading of conjugated nanoparticles were found to be 204 nm, −5.6 mV and 3.6% respectively. Conjugated nanoparticles represented a three-phasic release pattern with a 20% burst effect for docetaxel on the first day. Cytotoxicity experiment showed that the IC50 of HSA conjugated PLGA nanoparticles (5.4 μg) was significantly lower than both free docetaxel (20.2 μg) and unconjugated PLGA nanoparticles (6.2 μg).

Conclusion

In conclusion surface modification of PLGA nanoparticles through HSA conjugation results in more cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines compared with free docetaxel and unconjugated PLGA nanoparticles. Albumin conjugated PLGA nanoparticles may represent a promising drug delivery system in cancer therapy.
A qPCR‐based metric of Th2 airway inflammation in asthma
Authors: Bhakta Nirav R , Solberg Owen D , Nguyen Christine P , Nguyen Cindy N , Arron Joseph R , Fahy John V , Woodruff Prescott G
Published: July 2013

Background

Using microarray profiling of airway epithelial cells, we previously identified a Th2‐high molecular phenotype of asthma based on expression of periostin, CLCA1 and serpinB2 and characterized by specific inflammatory, remodeling, and treatment response features. The goal of the current study was to develop a qPCR‐based assay of Th2 inflammation to overcome the limitations of microarray‐based methods.

Methods

Airway epithelial brushings were obtained by bronchoscopy from two clinical studies comprising 44 healthy controls and 62 subjects with asthma, 39 of whom were studied before and after a standardized 8 week course of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The qPCR‐based expression of periostin, CLCA1 and serpinB2 were combined into a single metric.

Results

In asthma, the three‐gene‐mean of periostin, CLCA1 and serpinB2 correlated with FeNO (r = 0.75, p = 0.0002), blood eosinophils (r = 0.58, p = 0.003) and PC20 methacholine (r = ‐0.65, p = 0.0006), but not total serum IgE (r = 0.33, p = 0.1). Higher baseline three‐gene‐mean correlated with greater improvement in FEV1 with ICS at 2, 4 and 8 weeks (all p < 0.05). By ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of the three‐gene‐mean for FEV1 improvement with ICS at 4 and 8 weeks was 0.94 and 0.87, respectively, which are higher than the AUCs of FeNO, blood eosinophils, IgE or PC20. Th2 airway inflammation as measured by this three‐gene‐mean also had predictive capacity for an improvement in symptoms.

Conclusions

The three‐gene‐mean of periostin, CLCA1 and serpinB2 in airway epithelial brushings identifies Th2‐high and low populations, is correlated with other Th2 biomarkers, and performs well for prediction of FEV1 improvement with ICS. The three‐gene‐mean provides a measurement of Th2 airway inflammation that is clinically relevant and that can serve as a valuable tool to evaluate non‐invasive biomarkers to predict treatment responses to existing and emerging asthma therapies.
Biological function of Presenilin and its role in AD pathogenesis
Authors: Zhang Shuting , Zhang Mingming , Cai Fang , Song Weihong
Published: July 2013

Presenilins (PSs) are the catalytic core of γ-secretase complex. However, the mechanism of FAD-associated PS mutations in AD pathogenesis still remains elusive. Here we review the general biology and mechanism of γ-secretase and focus on the catalytic components – presenilins and their biological functions and contributions to the AD pathogenesis. The functions of presenilins are divided into γ-secretase dependent and γ-secretase independent ones. The γ-secretase dependent functions of presenilins are exemplified by the sequential cleavages in the processing of APP and Notch; the γ-secretase independent functions of presenilins include stabilizing β-catenin in Wnt signaling pathway, regulating calcium homeostasis and their interaction with synaptic transmission.
Informational approach of family spin-offs in the funding process of innovative projects: an empirical verification
Authors: Campanella Francesco , Giudice Manlio Del , Peruta Maria Rosaria Della
Published: July 2013

In recent years, the increase in competitiveness, as a result of the economic globalization and crisis, has caused the bankruptcy of many Italian small family businesses working in traditional industries. Meanwhile, family firms that have been working in a perspective of process and product innovation have been able to maintain a durable competitive advantage. In particular, enterprises that have shown a particular vitality are spin-offs, founded by an innovator entrepreneur with an academic background: these have often found their funding in self-financing and family and public resources in the pre-seed and seed stages of the project. However, these spin-offs often have difficulty financing the start-up phase of the project with external resources due to risk and informational opacity related to innovative processes.

The literature grounded on innovation funding has highlighted the informative opacity problem mainly caused by family entrepreneurs' difficulty to communicate innovation characteristics and commercial potential to financial markets and by the inability to identify individuals who are more available to finance innovative investments. Therefore, it is particularly difficult for investors to assess family small- and medium-sized enterprises' economic feasibility of innovative projects. These difficulties have increased in recent years partly due to the economic crisis that, on the one hand, has made venture capitalists more risk averse and, on the other, has contributed to a gradual hardening of enterprises' creditworthiness system adopted by financial brokers.

The research focuses on the analysis of the information problem that hinders the external financing aimed at innovation in family academic spin-offs. In particular, the authors intend to investigate the information dynamics between the innovator entrepreneur and external financiers. So, this research is useful to better identify what informative gaps impede innovative investments in Italy among innovator entrepreneurs and founders through venture capital and debt capital.
Cardiac Expression of Human Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Increases Glucose Metabolism and Protects Against Doxorubicin-induced Cardiac Dysfunction in Male Mice
Authors: Hong Eun-Gyoung , Kim Brian W. , Young Jung Dae , Hun Kim Jong , Yu Tim , Seixas Da Silva Wagner , Friedline Randall H. , Bianco Suzy D. , Seslar Stephen P. , Wakimoto Hiroko , Berul Charles I. , Russell Kerry S. , Won Lee Ki , Larsen P. Reed , Bianco Antonio C. , Kim Jason K.
Published: July 2013

Altered glucose metabolism in the heart is an important characteristic of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Because thyroid hormones have major effects on peripheral metabolism, we examined the metabolic effects of heart-selective increase in T3 using transgenic mice expressing human type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) under the control of the α-myosin heavy chain promoter (MHC-D2). Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps showed normal whole-body glucose disposal but increased hepatic insulin action in MHC-D2 mice as compared to wild-type (WT) littermates. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in heart was not altered, but basal myocardial glucose metabolism was increased by more than two-fold in MHC-D2 mice. Myocardial lipid levels were also elevated in MHC-D2 mice, suggesting an overall up-regulation of cardiac metabolism in these mice. The effects of doxorubicin (DOX) treatment on cardiac function and structure were examined using M-mode echocardiography. DOX treatment caused a significant reduction in ventricular fractional shortening and resulted in more than 50% death in WT mice. In contrast, MHC-D2 mice showed increased survival rate after DOX treatment, and this was associated with a six-fold increase in myocardial glucose metabolism and improved cardiac function. Myocardial activity and expression of AMPK, GLUT1, and Akt were also elevated in MHC-D2 and WT mice following DOX treatment. Thus, our findings indicate an important role of thyroid hormone in cardiac metabolism and further suggest a protective role of glucose utilization in DOX-mediated cardiac dysfunction.
Autocrine and Paracrine Mechanisms of Prostaglandin E2 Action on Trophoblast/Conceptus Cells through the Prostaglandin E2 Receptor (PTGER2) during Implantation
Authors: Waclawik Agnieszka , Kaczynski Piotr , Jabbour Henry N.
Published: July 2013

The conceptus and endometrium secrete large amounts of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) into the porcine uterine lumen during the periimplantation period. We hypothesized that PGE2 acts on conceptus/trophoblast cells through auto- and paracrine mechanisms. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that PGE2 receptor (PTGER)2 mRNA was 14-fold greater in conceptuses/trophoblasts on days 14–25 (implantation and early placentation period) vs preimplantation day 10–13 conceptuses (P < .05). Similarly, expression of PTGER2 protein increased during implantation. Conceptus expression of PTGER4 mRNA and protein did not differ on days 10–19. PGE2 stimulated PTGER2 mRNA expression in day 15 trophoblast cells through PTGER2 receptor signaling. PGE2 elevated aromatase expression and estradiol-17β secretion by trophoblast cells. Moreover, PGE2 and the PTGER2 agonist, butaprost, increased the adhesive capacity of both human HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast and primary porcine trophoblast cells to extracellular matrix. This PGE2-induced alteration in trophoblast cell adhesion to extracellular matrix was abolished by incubation of these cells with AH6809 (PTGER2 antagonist), ITGAVB3-directed tetrapeptide arg-gly-asp-ser or integrin ITGAVB3 antibody. PGE2 stimulated adhesion of porcine trophoblast cells via the estrogen receptor and MEK/MAPK signaling pathway. PGE2 induced phosphorylation of MAPK1/MAPK3 through PTGER2 and up-regulated expression of cell adhesion proteins such as focal adhesion kinase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Our study indicates that elevated PGE2 in the periimplantation uterine lumen stimulates conceptus PTGER2 expression, which in turn promotes trophoblast adhesion via integrins, and synthesis and secretion of the porcine embryonic signal estradiol-17β. Moreover, the mechanism through which PGE2 increases trophoblast adhesion is not species specific because it is PTGER2- and integrin-dependent in both porcine and human trophoblast cells.
Variants in SULT2A1 Affect the DHEA Sulphate to DHEA Ratio in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome But Not the Hyperandrogenic Phenotype
Authors: Louwers Yvonne V. , de Jong Frank H. , van Herwaarden Nathalie A. A. , Stolk Lisette , Fauser Bart C. J. M. , Uitterlinden André G. , Laven Joop S. E.
Published: July 2013

Context:

Because of the elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the heritability of DHEAS serum levels, genes encoding the enzymes that control the sulfation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to DHEAS and vice versa are obvious candidate genes to explain part of the heritability of PCOS.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to determine the role of genetic variants in sulfotransferase (SULT2A1), 3-phosphoadenosine 5-phosphosulfate synthase isoform 2 (PAPSS2), and steroid sulfatase (STS) in PCOS and in hormone levels related to the hyperandrogenic phenotype of PCOS.

Design:

This was a candidate-gene study.

Patients:

The discovery set consisted of 582 patients and 2017 controls.

Main Outcome Measures:

A pruned subset of 28 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SULT2A1, PAPSS2, and STS was generated based on pairwise genotypic correlation. Association with PCOS was tested, and we studied whether the SNPs modulate DHEAS levels, DHEA levels, and their ratio in PCOS. Significant SNPs were replicated in an independent sample of patients.

Results:

None of the SNPs in SULT2A1, PAPSS2, and STS constituted risk alleles for PCOS. SNP rs2910397 in SULT2A1 decreased the DHEAS to DHEA ratio in PCOS by 5% in the discovery sample. Meta-analysis of discovery and replication sample resulted in a combined effect of −0.095 (P = .027). However, carrying the minor T allele did not contribute to differences in the hyperandrogenic phenotype, including the levels of T and androstenedione, of PCOS patients.

Conclusions:

Genetic variants in SULT2A1, PAPSS2, and STS do not predispose to PCOS. Although a variant in SULT2A1 decreased the DHEAS to DHEA ratio, no changes in other androgenic hormone levels were observed.
Do children with mental disorders have higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D?
Authors: Zhang Mini , Cheng Keith , Rope Robert , Martin Elizabeth , Jetmalani Ajit
Published: July 2013

Inadequate vitamin D level is associated with various adverse medical outcomes. There is a growing concern that insufficient vitamin D may play a role in the development of psychiatric symptoms. This study aims to answer the question: do children with mental disorders have a higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D? A retrospective chart review examined 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in youth ages 7 to 17 (n=67) at two Oregon psychiatric residential facilities. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as <20 ng/ml and insufficiency as <30 ng/ml. Diagnoses were organized into six categories. 25(OH)D levels were compared across genders and diagnostic groups using a two-sample t-test and ANOVA, respectively. Statistical differences in prevalence across diagnostic categories were calculated using a Pearson chi-square test. Using the data from Saintonge’s NHANES III study on healthy US children for comparison, 21% of our cohorts were found to be vitamin D deficient and 64% insufficient, in contrast to 14% and 48%, respectively. While our results are not statistically significant, mainly because of small sample size, the overall mean 25(OH)D level in our cohort was insufficient (27.59 ± 9.35 ng/ml), compared to a sufficient mean value of 32.1 ng/ml in the general population. No statistical significant difference was found in the prevalence across diagnostic categories. This study found that children with psychiatric disorders might have a higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D than the general pediatric population. Although a causal relationship between hypovitaminosis D and psychiatric disorders cannot be derived based on the study design, our study provides initial descriptive data on the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in children with psychiatric disorders, which has not been previously reported to our knowledge. Prospective studies with a larger sample size and controlled variables would allow more precise analysis of the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and childhood mental disorders.
Creative choice – on whose authority
Authors: Main Lesley
Published: July 2013

This article considers issues of legacy and tradition alongside the impact of choice on the choreographic processes involved in restaging modern/contemporary works by Merce Cunningham, Jose Limón and Doris Humphrey. The work of these three choreographers represents a cross-section of staging practices that have evolved over time as a response to the absence of the choreographer. The relevance of these practices in a broader context is that they demonstrate possibilities for choreographers working today whose work is significant to our cultural heritage.
Working Mums and Informal Care Givers: The Anticipation Effect
Authors: Korn Evelyn , Wrede Matthias
Published: July 2013

Fertility and the provision of long-term care are connected by an aspect that has not received attention so far: both are time consuming activities that can be produced within the household or bought at the market and are, thus, connected through the intertemporal budget constraint of the household that accounts for time and money. This paper models that link and analyzes the effect of intervention in the long-term-care market on female labor-market related decisions. It shows that women’s fertility and their labor supply when young are affected by such policies. The overall effect can be decomposed into an opportunity-cost effect and a consumption-smoothing effect that each impact fertility as well as labor supply in opposite directions. Using survey data, the paper provides some evidence that in the member states of the European Union the consumption-smoothing effect is dominant.
Impact of Voucher Design on Public School Performance: Evidence from Florida and Milwaukee Voucher Programs
Authors: Chakrabarti Rajashri
Published: July 2013

This article compares two alternative voucher designs implemented in the U.S. The Milwaukee program was a “voucher shock” program that made low-income students eligible for vouchers. The Florida program was an accountability-tied voucher program that faced failing schools with “threat of vouchers” and stigma. In the context of a formal theoretical model, the study argues that the threatened schools will improve under the Florida-type program and this improvement will exceed that of the corresponding treated schools under the Milwaukee-type program. Using school-level scores from Florida and Wisconsin, and a difference-in-differences estimation strategy in trends, it then finds strong support in favor of these predictions.
Effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on biomimetic reactions by flavins
Authors: Geetanjali  , Singh Ram
Published: July 2013

Selected 6- and 7-carboxyflavins activate H2O2, oxidizing thioanisole to its sulfoxide. The greater reactivity of the 6-carboxyflavin derivatives are ascribed to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between N(5) and the carboxyl group of the flavin system.
Eternity and functionality – rational access to physiologically relevant cell lines
Authors: Lipps Christoph , May Tobias , Hauser Hansjörg , Wirth Dagmar
Published: July 2013

In the first 50 years of cell culture, the development of new cell lines was mainly based on trial and error. Due to the understanding of the molecular networks of aging, senescence, proliferation, and adaption by mutation, the generation of new cell lines with physiologic properties has become more systematic. This endeavor has been supported by the availability of new technological achievements and increasing knowledge about the biology of cell differentiation and cell-cell communication. Here, we review some promising developments that are contributing toward this goal. These include molecular tools frequently used for the immortalization process. In addition to these broadly acting immortalization regimens, we focus on the developments of cell type-specific immortalization and on the methodologies of how to control the growth of newly established cell lines.
Bounded presentations of Kac–Moody groups
Authors: Capdeboscq Inna
Published: July 2013

In this article we extend the result of Guralnick, Kantor, Kassabov and Lubotzky to the affine Kac–Moody groups: we show that there exists a constant such that every affine Kac–Moody group defined over a finite field ,
(with the exception of and ), has a presentation σ with .
We then derive the consequences of this result for the 2-spherical Kac–Moody groups.
Graft copolymerization of poly(vinyl acetate) onto starch using KMnO4-H2SO4 redox system
Authors: Qu Baohan , Li Hongchun , Niu Yongsheng
Published: July 2013

The graft copolymerization of poly(vinyl acetate) [poly(VAc)] onto starch was studied using the KMnO4-H2SO4 redox system. The grafting parameters are favored by changing the concentration of KMnO4, the concentration of acid, the temperature, the time, and the concentration of monomer. A maximum graft yield of 38.3% was obtained at optimum conditions: KMnO4 concentration=3.0×10-3 mol/l, concentration of acid=1.5×10-2 mol/l, temperature=40°C, time=3 h, and concentration of monomer=1 mol/l. The grafting of poly(VAc) onto starch was confirmed by the IR spectra of pure sago starch, poly(VAc), and poly(VAc) grafted starch. Both swelling power and solubility increased with the increase in temperature. Graft copolymerization increased swelling power and reduced solubility. This material may have use as an application as a biodegradable plastic.
Estimating the most important criteria for hatching eggs as function of broiler breeders age
Authors: Baracho Marta dos S. , Nääs Irenilza de A. , Neves Diego P. , Cassiano Juliano de A. , Lima Fabiana G. , Moura Daniella J. de , Garcia Rodrigo G.
Published: July 2013

This research aimed to compare two female broiler breeder ages during the incubation period regarding management using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method (AHP). This method is characterized by the possibility of analyzing a multicriteria problem and assists a decision making. This study was carried out on a commercial hatchery located in São Paulo, Brazil. Two ages of broiler breeder (42 and 56 weeks) were compared relative to production rate. Production index data were the same in both ages and were submitted to multicriteria decision analysis using the AHP method. The results indicate that broiler breeders of 42 weeks presented better performance than those of 56 week-old. The setter phase (incubation) is more critical than the hatcher. The AHP method was efficient for this analysis and can serve as a methodological basis for future studies to improve the hatchability of broilers eggs.
Powder flow criteria for design of vertical silo walls
Authors: Lopes Neto José P. , Nascimento José W. B. do , Silva Rafael C. , Costa Carlos A. da
Published: July 2013

For design of vertical silos walls involving the storage of bulk solids to be safe and reliable, it is important knowing the largest possible number of variables such as: flow properties, silo geometry and pattern of flow desired. In order to validate the theories of flow prediction and design of conical hoppers, the flow properties of two bulk solids were determined, the theories of Jenike's flowability and Enstad and Walker for hopper design were analyzed and the results were compared with those experimentally obtained in a reduced model of a semicircular-section silo. Results show that Enstad theory for the hopper design is adequate to occur mass flow inside the silo, and for the sizing of the discharge outlet, the Walker's theory was closer to the appropriate than Jenike's theory, which was higher around 100% than the experimental hopper outlet.
Sequências de dias chuvosos: fator de risco à colheita em Goiás
Authors: Mesquita Wilson O. , Griebeler Nori P. , Correchel Vladia
Published: July 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer sequências de dias chuvosos como fator de risco à colheita no Estado de Goiás. Para isso, foram utilizadas séries históricas pluviométricas, com período de base de, no mínimo, 17 anos referentes a 36 estações pluviométricas localizadas neste Estado. As sequências de dias chuvosos foram separadas por uma rotina computacional para os meses de dezembro, janeiro, fevereiro e março. Para o estudo de probabilidade destas sequências, utilizou-se a Distribuição Binominal Negativa Truncada (DBNT). A aderência da distribuição às sequências de dias chuvosos foi verificada, utilizando-se do teste de Qui-quadrado (χ²). Os resultados foram espacializados, de modo a facilitar a visualização da distribuição espacial das sequências de dias chuvosos para os meses estudados. Verificou-se que o risco de chuva na colheita varia localmente. As maiores probabilidades de ocorrência de sequências com dois dias chuvosos ocorreram nas regiões centro, sudoeste e sul, e três dias na região central e entorno. Ocorrência de sequências com quatro dias chuvosos ou mais apresentou baixa probabilidade.
Software for calculation of reservoir active capacity with the sequent-peak algorithm
Authors: Silva Rogério T. da , Sánchez-Román Rodrigo M. , Teixeira Marconi B. , Franzotti Celso L. , Folegatti Marcos V.
Published: July 2013

It is presented a software developed with Delphi programming language to compute the reservoir's annual regulated active storage, based on the sequent-peak algorithm. Mathematical models used for that purpose generally require extended hydrological series. Usually, the analysis of those series is performed with spreadsheets or graphical representations. Based on that, it was developed a software for calculation of reservoir active capacity. An example calculation is shown by 30-years (from 1977 to 2009) monthly mean flow historical data, from Corrente River, located at São Francisco River Basin, Brazil. As an additional tool, an interface was developed to manage water resources, helping to manipulate data and to point out information that it would be of interest to the user. Moreover, with that interface irrigation districts where water consumption is higher can be analyzed as a function of specific seasonal water demands situations. From a practical application, it is possible to conclude that the program provides the calculation originally proposed. It was designed to keep information organized and retrievable at any time, and to show simulation on seasonal water demands throughout the year, contributing with the elements of study concerning reservoir projects. This program, with its functionality, is an important tool for decision making in the water resources management.
Spatial autocorrelation of ndvi and gvi indices derived from landsat/tm images for soybean crops in the western of the state of Paraná in 2004/2005 crop season
Authors: Dalposso Gustavo H. , Uribe-Opazo Miguel A. , Mercante Erivelto , Lamparelli Rubens A. C.
Published: July 2013

This research aims at studying spatial autocorrelation of Landsat/TM based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and green vegetation index (GVI) of soybean of the western region of the State of Paraná. The images were collected during the 2004/2005 crop season. The data were grouped into five vegetation index classes of equal amplitude, to create a temporal map of soybean within the crop cycle. Moran I and Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA) indices were applied to study the spatial correlation at the global and local levels, respectively. According to these indices, it was possible to understand the municipality-based profiles of tillage as well as to identify different sowing periods, providing important information to producers who use soybean yield data in their planning.
Desempenho dos modelos CLIGEN, LARS-WG e PGECLIMA_R na simulação de séries diárias de temperatura máxima do ar para localidades do estado do Paraná
Authors: Virgens Filho Jorim S. das , Oliveira Rafael B. de , Leite Maysa de L. , Tsukahara Rodrigo Y.
Published: July 2013

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho dos modelos CLIGEN, LARS-WG e PGECLIMA_R na simulação de séries diárias de temperatura máxima do ar para localidades do Estado do Paraná. Foram utilizadas séries históricas de temperatura máxima do ar das localidades de Campo Mourão, Castro, Curitiba, Ivaí, Londrina, Maringá e Paranaguá. Foram geradas cinco séries de temperatura máxima do ar para cada modelo, nas localidades avaliadas, que foram confrontadas com as respectivas séries históricas. O processo de validação foi composto de análises estatísticas através de testes de significância (sobre as médias mensais (teste t), sobre a variância das médias mensais (teste F), sobre a forma das distribuições de frequência (teste K-S)), de gráficos de tendência anual, de tabelas com os índices "r" de Pearson, "d" de Willmott e “c” de Camargo-Sentelhas. Na simulação de temperatura máxima do ar, os modelos PGECLIMA_R e LARS-WG não diferiram em desempenho, obtendo poucas rejeições e bons resultados nos índices “c”, “d” e “r”. No entanto, o CLIGEN obteve resultado abaixo do esperado, superestimando as temperaturas máximas do ar em dias úmidos e, subestimando-as em dias secos, nas localidades avaliadas.
Precision agriculture in Australia: present status and recent developments
Authors: Bramley Robert , Trengove Sam
Published: July 2013

A brief account of the present status of Precision Agriculture (PA) in Australia is presented, and areas of opportunity in the grains, sugar and wine industries are identified. In particular, these relate to the use of spatially-distributed experimentation to fine-tune management so as to achieve production efficiencies, reduced risk of environmental impact and enhanced food security, and the management of crop quality through selective harvesting and product streaming. The latter may be an important avenue by which farmers can take a more active role in the off-farm part of agricultural value chains. The important role of grower groups in facilitating PA adoption is also discussed.
Memória e representações: a fotografia e o movimento estudantil de 1968 no México
Authors: Troncoso Alberto del Castillo
Published: July 2013

A história recente do movimento estudantil de 1968 no México indica que esse acontecimento tem um peso fundamental para o entendimento das atuais condições políticas do país. O artigo analisa as complexas relações entre a imprensa e o poder político da época e apresenta exemplos relevantes em torno do papel estratégico desempenhado pela fotografia na cobertura de alguns dos episódios mais significativos. Por exemplo, as multidões presentes às manifestações nas ruas, a tomada violenta das universidades por militares e o massacre da população civil em Tlatelolco por conta do Estado. Em todos esses acontecimentos houve uma disputa simbólica, entre os estudantes e o governo, pela apropriação de imagens. Depois de pouco mais de 40 anos, é possível analisar a questão e reconhecer a importância do uso político e cultural das fotografias pelos diferentes grupos.
Acervos da Justiça do Trabalho como fonte de pesquisa
Authors: Veiga Alexandre
Published: July 2013

O artigo descreve a trajetória do Memorial da Justiça do Trabalho no Rio Grande do Sul, relatando suas experiências de atuação na área da preservação e divulgação do patrimônio documental e museológico da Justiça do Trabalho no estado, discorrendo também sobre a questão dos acervos como patrimônio da sociedade, relacionando-o com as práticas de memória e pesquisa histórica do mundo do trabalho e dos trabalhadores.
A luta de brasileiros contra o miguelismo em Portugal (1828-1834): o caso do homem preto Luciano Augusto
Authors: Gonçalves Andréa Lisly
Published: July 2013

O reinado de d. Miguel (1828-1834) colocou fim à primeira experiência liberal portuguesa e foi marcado por intensa repressão política aos seus opositores. Contra o rei absoluto formou-se uma verdadeira 'internacional antimiguelista', que incluía brasileiros de diferentes condições sociais: cirurgiões, estudantes, militares, trabalhadores domésticos. Tendo como fonte principal os processos políticos do reinado de d. Miguel, pretende-se com este artigo reconstituir alguns aspectos da resistência ao regime implantado pelo rei usurpador com base no estudo de caso do réu Luciano Augusto. Homem preto e criado de servir, Luciano foi acusado de constitucionalista e partidário de d. Pedro IV. Entre outros objetivos, busca-se esclarecer o trânsito de pessoas e de ideias no interior do que fora, talvez, a parcela mais importante do império português, permitindo até mesmo o estabelecimento de contrastes entre o contexto americano e o europeu.
O chamado às armas: o abolicionismo radical de Nabuco em 1885-1886
Authors: Needell Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2013

O papel de Nabuco no movimento abolicionista tem sido caracterizado de diferentes maneiras, em relação tanto às suas próprias visões políticas quanto ao seu significado no processo que levou ao fim da escravidão em 1888. Pesquisas sugerem que tanto as visões de Nabuco quanto o seu significado mudaram no contexto contingente da trajetória histórica do movimento. Uma das conjunturas mais críticas que demonstraram isso foi o ano transformador de 1885, em que o artigo se concentra. Conforme se demonstrará, a campanha abolicionista de pressão pública, iniciada por Nabuco e seus aliados naquele ano, mobilizaram um movimento nas ruas e nos campos que, por sua vez, remontariam à imprensa e ao parlamento para reverter a política da Coroa e forçar um fim legal à escravidão.
Formação do jornalista contemporâneo: a história de um trabalhador sem diploma
Authors: Bernardo Cristiane Hengler Corrêa , Leão Inara Barbosa
Published: July 2013

Reconstituir e analisar o contexto em que a profissão de jornalista se desenvolveu no Brasil e as influências que sofreu é o objetivo deste artigo que, por meio do materialismo histórico dialético, pretende explicar o processo pelo qual a situação contemporânea se configura como síntese. Essa contextualização torna-se fundamental para a compreensão dos conflitos de interesses políticos e econômicos que determinaram a configuração histórica dessa profissão e do controle sobre a atuação do profissional que a exerce. Revela ainda como as mudanças técnicas alteraram a sua base material de produção e, necessariamente, geraram novos conceitos, que compuseram a sua superestrutura nos diferentes períodos sociais, econômicos e políticos, tornando possível observar os objetivos relacionados a tais mudanças.
Conferência - Ritual de Aurora e de Crepúsculo: a comemoração como a experiência de um tempo fronteiriço e multiplicado ou as antinomias da memória
Authors: Albuquerque Júnior Durval Muniz de
Published: July 2013

Este texto foi apresentado como conferência de abertura do XXVI Simpósio Nacional de História, ocasião em que se comemoravam os 50 anos de fundação da Anpuh-Brasil - Associação Nacional de História. Ao mesmo tempo em que analisa os vários sentidos do comemorar, trata da relação entre as práticas de comemoração e o trabalho do historiador, faz uma reflexão sobre a relação entre memória, temporalidade e rituais de comemoração, e se apresenta também como um texto comemorativo, por isso sujeito às mesmas ambiguidades e antinomias que aponta em todo gesto de comemoração. Ele constitui, ainda, uma análise das práticas de comemoração e um texto comemorativo. Texto, portanto, fronteiriço e antinômico.
Efeito do extrato aquoso e etanólico do angico preto sobre larvas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus
Authors: Silva Filho M.L. , Silva L.B. , Fernandes R.M. , Lopes G.S.
Published: July 2013

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus representa um grande problema na bovinocultura e o uso de acaricidas é a medida de controle profilático e terapêutico mais comum contra esses ectoparasitos. Os principais problemas relacionados com essa prática dizem respeito ao desenvolvimento de linhagens resistentes de carrapatos. Assim, objetivou-se determinar o efeito de extratos da casca de Anadenanthera macrocarpa sobre as larvas de R. (B.) microplus, obtidas de um pool de ovos, acondicionadas em tubo de polietileno. De acordo com os resultados, o extrato aquoso na concentração de 8,26mg.mL-1 causou 85% de mortalidade nas primeiras 12 horas. Quanto ao extrato etanólico, observou-se maior mortalidade nas concentrações 12,5; 6,25 e 1,56mg.mL-1, em torno de 84%, percentuais semelhantes ao amitraz. Os controles negativos não apresentaram mortalidade durante o experimento. Assim, tanto o extrato aquoso como o extrato etanólico apresentaram efeito larvicida, embora o extrato etanólico tenha sido mais eficiente para a espécie, podendo ser uma alternativa no controle desse ectoparasito.
Granuloma leproide canino na região amazônica - relato de caso
Authors: Almeida M.B. , Priebe A.P.S. , Fernandes J.I. , Yamasaki E.M. , França T.N.
Published: July 2013

Descreve-se o primeiro caso de granuloma leproide canino na região amazônica, Brasil, em um canino da raça Boxer, procedente do município de Castanhal, Pará, que apresentava lesões nodulares, alopécicas, firmes, ulceradas e não pruriginosas nas duas pinas. Os nódulos foram retirados cirurgicamente e enviados para análise histopatológica. O exame microscópico revelou marcada infiltração inflamatória constituída por macrófagos, plasmócitos, neutrófilos, linfócitos e células gigantes. A técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen evidenciou grande quantidade de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes no interior de macrófagos e de células gigantes. Houve forte reatividade ao exame imuno-histoquímico para Mycobacterium spp.
Desempenho produtivo de ovinos em confinamento alimentados com farelo de manga
Authors: Pereira L.G.R. , Aragão A.L.S. , Santos R.D. , Azevêdo J.A.G. , Neves A.L.A. , Ferreira A.L. , Chizzotti M.L.
Published: July 2013

Avaliou-se o efeito da inclusão do farelo de manga em substituição ao milho moído em dietas para ovinos sobre o consumo de nutrientes e de frações fibrosas, o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar. Estudou-se também o benefício líquido e a taxa de retorno do custo total da dieta. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros Santa Inês, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, constituídos pelas porcentagens de inclusão do farelo de manga, em substituição ao milho, de 0, 33, 66 e 100%, e seis repetições. Não houve efeito da inclusão do farelo de manga sobre o consumo de nutrientes e o ganho de peso dos animais. Verificou-se efeito quadrático (P<0,05) da porcentagem de inclusão do farelo de manga sobre a conversão alimentar. O farelo de manga pode substituir o milho em dietas para ovinos sem comprometer o consumo e o ganho de peso e reduz o custo da alimentação, o que sugere ser ele um alimento alternativo para ovinos em confinamento.
Swimmer syndrome affecting an entire litter of kittens
Authors: Cardilli D.J. , João C.F. , Voorwald F.A. , Faria J.L.M. , Tinucci-Costa M. , Toniollo G.H.
Published: July 2013

Swimmer syndrome is a developmental abnormality characterized by a delay in the ability to walk and move about and is manifested in newborns between 15 and 20 days of age. These animals exhibit constant coxofemoral articulation abduction, and their pelvic limbs move caudally and laterally. This case reports a litter of three crossbreeds kittens (26 days old) with swimmer syndrome. Each animal was treated with physical therapy and shackle bandages that kept their pelvic limbs bent and close to the body. After seven days, all of the animals exhibited normal ambulation, indicating that this treatment had a curative effect on the kittens.
Taxa de prenhez e de perda de gestação em receptoras de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro
Authors: Scanavez A.L. , Campos C.C. , Santos R.M.
Published: July 2013

Avaliaram-se resultados de 1100 transferências de embriões, realizadas de novembro de 2008 a fevereiro de 2009, em um programa comercial de produção de embriões. Foram utilizados embriões ½ Holandês/Gir (n=139) e ¾ Holandês/Gir (n=961) de qualidade um e oitavo dia (D8) para transferência a fresco. As receptoras foram novilhas ½ Nelore/Simental, sincronizadas, usando-se o protocolo: dia zero (D0) - introdução do dispositivo intravaginal com 1g de progesterona + 2mg de benzoato de estradiol (BE); dia 5 (D5) - aplicação de 150μg de D-cloprostenol (PGF2α) + 400UI de gonadotrofina coriônica equina (eCG); dia 8 (D8) ‒ remoção do dispositivo intravaginal; e dia 9 (D9) ‒ aplicação de 1mg de BE. Foram analisados os efeitos do grupo genético, o estágio de desenvolvimento e o tempo de cultivo do embrião, o lado do corpo lúteo (CL), o touro, o número de inovulações prévias realizadas em cada receptora e a sequência de horas de serviço gastas para realizar as inovulações sobre as taxas de prenhez e de perda da gestação. Apenas o tempo de cultivo do embrião influenciou a taxa de prenhez. Conclui-se que, ao utilizar embriões de excelente qualidade, um grande número de transferências de embriões pode ser executado por dia, sem comprometer a viabilidade da técnica de transferência.