bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining specificity of transcription factor regulatory activities
Authors: Eeckhoute Jéröme , Métivier Raphaël , Salbert Gilles
Published: November 2009

Mammalian transcription factors (TFs) are often involved in differential cell-type- and context-specific transcriptional responses. Recent large-scale comparative studies of TF recruitment to the genome, and of chromatin structure and gene expression, have allowed a better understanding of the general rules that underlie the differential activities of a given TF. It has emerged that chromatin structure dictates the differential binding of a given TF to cell-type-specific cis-regulatory elements. The subsequent regulation of TF activity then ensures the functional activation of only the precise subset of all regulatory sites bound by the TF that are required to mediate appropriate gene expression. Ultimately, the organization of the genome within the nucleus, and crosstalk between different cis-regulatory regions involved in gene regulation, also participate in establishing a specific transcriptional program. In this Commentary, we discuss how the integration of these different and probably intimately linked regulatory mechanisms allow for TF cell-type- and context-specific modulation of gene expression.
Program-wide Behavior Support Plans for Programs Serving Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in Illinois
Authors: Sinnott Cheri
Published: November 2009

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs are being introduced in school districts throughout Illinois and the rest of the United States, resulting in decreased behavioral incidents and increased academic achievement. Programs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing benefit from implementation of this type of universallevel program, which includes teaching expected behaviors and reinforcing them when they are demonstrated. Staff training and data collection systems are essential components of the development and implementation of these programs.
Great Expectations: Perspectives on Cochlear Implantation of Deaf Children in Norway
Authors: Simonsen Eva , Kristoffersen Ann-Elise , Hyde Mervyn B. , Hjulstad Oddvar
Published: November 2009

The Authors Describe the use of cochlear implants with deaf children in Norway and examine how this intervention has raised new expectations and some tensions concerning the future of education for deaf students. They report on two studies of communication within school learning environments of young children with implants in Norwegian preschools and primary/elementary schools. These studies involved observations of classroom discourse and teaching activity and interviews with teachers, administrators, parents, and pupils. Results suggested varied patterns of use of Norwegian and of Norwegian Sign Language and several modes of communication, including speech alone, sign alone, and speech with sign. Conclusions are drawn regarding the reasons for the observed variations and the future impact of cochlear implantation on educational policies and services for deaf children and their families in Norway.
Martyrdom, Religious Difference, and "Fear" as a Category of Piety in the Sasanian Empire: The Case of the Martyrdom of Gregory and the Martyrdom of Yazdpaneh
Authors: Becker Adam H.
Published: November 2009

This study examines the disproportionately heavy reliance on the word deḥltā ("fear") and its cognates in two related sixth-century Syriac martyr texts from the Sasanian Empire, and how this usage reflects both an acknowledgement of and an attempt to transcend the religious diversity of the sixth century. It begins by describing the contents and historical background of the two martyrdoms and highlighting their broad, even elastic, usage of deḥltā and its cognates. The origins of the wide semantic range of deḥltā are attributed to Syriac translation literature, especially the Peshitta, the Syriac version of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. After a survey of how this term appears in earlier East Syrian martyr acts, the study turns to the close engagement with Zoroastrianism found in the martyrdoms of Gregory and Yazdpaneh and then to an examination of how "fear" relates to the texts' theological and ethical concerns. It is suggested that fear is an embodied form of knowledge evoked in these texts at the same time that it operates in the textual process of coercion that creates religious subjects .
The Preservation, Restoration, and (Re)Construction of Pagan Cult Places in Late Antiquity, with Particular Attention to Mainland Greece (Fourth–Fifth Centuries)
Authors: Foschia Laurence
Published: November 2009

This paper focuses on a very neglected question, the construction and restoration of pagan cult structures in the fourth and fifth centuries. Mainland Greece is privileged as the area of study in order to make parallels with other parts of the empire. The first part, dedicated to imperial legislation and policy, deals first with the problem of attributing the restoration of temples to the emperor Julian and then with the inconsistencies and ambiguities that appear in a few laws related to these sacred (re)constructions. There follows an attempt to reconstruct the building process: was it spontaneous or legally anticipated and decided? To what extent are we able to identify those responsible for such initiatives? The concluding part of this study deals with the double meaning one could associate with the (re)building of cult places: does it reflect the continuity of pagan ritual practices or the survival of Greek paideia ?
Godwin’s Caleb Williams : “A Half-Told and Mangled Tale”
Authors: Rodden John
Published: November 2009

Critics have traditionally approached the themes of power and powerlessness in Godwin’s Caleb Williams almost exclusively in socio-political terms. Such a perspective does not, however, finally account for what readers testify to as their feverishly intense reading experience of the novel. This essay contends that this “half-told and mangled tale,” as narrator Caleb terms it in the final line, is most fruitfully comprehended in the language of psychoanalytic theory. For this is a story of omnipotence and impotence whose fantastic accidents, abrupt plot turns, and horrifyingly obsessive mood is not traceable to Godwin’s political philosophy or oft-bemoaned stylistic faults. Rather, within the framework of libidinal development described by Sigmund Freud and Melanie Klein, Caleb’s narration of causally disconnected events and his deep-seated ambivalence toward his master-surrogate father Lord Falkland become understandable when conceived as a fundamentally narcissistic personality unconsciously engaged in a homosexual struggle with his domineering father. The world of Caleb Williams is the narrator’s search for the ideal family of romance, indeed a projection of Caleb’s self and a narcissistic dream world, with the various characters serving as different aspects of Caleb’s fragmented ego.
Interrelationship between True Stress–True Strain Behavior and Deformation Microstructure in the Plastic Deformation of Neutron-Irradiated or Work-Hardened Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Kondo K. , Miwa Y. , Tsukada T. , Yamashita S. , Nishinoiri K.
Published: November 2009

True stress–true strain relation and deformation microstructure have been examined for high purity Fe-18Cr-12Ni alloy and its alloys doped with 0.7 wt % Si or 0.09 wt % C. In high purity alloy and C-doped alloy irradiated at 240°C up to 3 dpa, the work hardening rate is equivalent to that in unirradiated alloys. These alloys show dislocation channel structure after irradiation and deformation. In irradiated Si-doped alloy, however, the work hardening rate is different from that in unirradiated alloys. This alloy shows fully developed dislocation cell structure after deformation, as seen in unirradiated deformed stainless steels. The cell structure in irradiated Si-doped alloy was much smaller than that in unirradiated Si-doped alloy and in type 316L stainless steel. One of the factors affecting the change in the work hardening rate of irradiated austenitic stainless steel at 240°C is strong obstacles such as γ precipitate that acts as dislocation pining and dislocation loops such as Frank loops that do not act as obstacles.
Investigation of patients with atypical or severe hyperandrogenaemia including androgen-secreting ovarian teratoma
Authors: Dennedy Michael Conall , Smith Diarmuid , O'Shea Donal , McKenna T Joseph
Published: November 2009

Approximately 7% of women of reproductive age manifest polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and <0.5% have other causes of hyperandrogenism including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), androgen-secreting tumour of an ovary or an adrenal gland, Cushing's syndrome or hyperthecosis. The presence of features atypical of PCOS should prompt more extensive evaluation than that usually undertaken. Features atypical of PCOS include the onset of symptoms outside the decade of 15–25 years, rapid progression of symptoms, the development of virilization and a serum testosterone concentration in excess of twice the upper limit of the reference range. Ethnic background, family history and specific clinical findings, e.g. Cushingoid appearance, may inform a focused investigation. Otherwise, patients should have measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) under basal conditions ideally in the early morning, and if abnormal, they should have measurement of 17-OHP one hour after the administration of synthetic ACTH, 250 μg i.v., to screen for CAH, which is present in ∼2% of hyperandrogenic patients. The overnight cortisol suppression test employing 1 mg dexamethasone at midnight is a sensitive test for Cushing's syndrome. Coronal tomographic (CT) scanning of the adrenals and transvaginal ultrasonography of the ovaries are the investigations of choice when screening for tumours in these organs. Less frequently required is catheterization and sampling from both adrenal and ovarian veins, which is a technically demanding procedure with potential complications which may provide definitive diagnostic information not available from other investigations. Illustrative case reports highlight some complexities in the investigation of hyperandrogenic patients presenting with features atypical of PCOS and include only the ninth case report of an androgen-secreting ovarian teratoma.
Pathogenicity of Streptococcus ictaluri to Channel Catfish
Authors: Pasnik David J. , Evans Joyce J. , Klesius Phillip H. , Shoemaker Craig A. , Yeh Hung-Yueh
Published: November 2009

The pathogenicity of a Streptococcus ictaluri isolate in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus at the fry (0.5 g), fingerling (15 g), and juvenile (55 g) stages was determined by experimental bath immersion and injection experiments. Channel catfish were exposed in 1-L immersion baths containing 108, 109, 1010, 1011, or 1012 colony-forming units (cfu) of S. ictaluri. Fish were also injected intraperitoneally with 0.1 mL of bacterial solution for final doses of 104, 105, 106, 107, or 108 cfu of S. ictaluri per fish. Streptococcus ictaluri caused mortality in fry, fingerling, and juvenile channel catfish within 21 d postinfection. When mortalities were calculated based on size and challenge route, the cumulative percent mortalities were 11% for fry and 0% for fingerlings by the bath immersion route and 14% for fingerlings and 6% for juveniles by the injection route. Isolation of S. ictaluri from moribund and dead catfish was confirmed by the newly established BIOLOG profile (MicroLog3 system). The results indicate that channel catfish were only susceptible to high concentrations of S. ictaluri and that juvenile channel catfish were less susceptible, possibly explaining why little mortality has been attributed to S. ictaluri infection in catfish aquaculture.
Outbreaks of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in Redtail Barbs Barbus haasi in a Mediterranean Stream during Drought
Authors: Maceda-Veiga A. , Salvadó H. , Vinyoles D. , De Sostoa A.
Published: November 2009

In 2008, inland waterways in Catalonia (northeast Iberian Peninsula, Spain) experienced one of the worst droughts recorded in this region in recent decades. During this period, an epizootic of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis was detected for the first time in a Mediterranean stream, with 21% prevalence in a population of redtail barbs Barbus haasi. Environmental features and the fish population in this stream were compared during 2007–2009. Fish density and the average fish size were reduced significantly after the outbreak of I. multifiliis in this population. During 2008, parasitized fish were significantly larger than nonparasitized fish. In addition, a significant, positive correlation was found between parasite load and fish size. The origin of I. multifiliis is unknown, but an introduced species detected in April 2007 may have carried it. The combination of stress to the redtail barbs due to suboptimal conditions and favorable environmental conditions for parasite multiplication (e.g., suitable water temperature and low water flow) could have enhanced fish susceptibility to the parasite in April 2008. Further studies are needed to establish the incidence of freshwater fish diseases in Mediterranean watersheds, and water management policies should be reviewed to improve the conservation of native fish fauna.
Development and Validation of a Short-Time Cell Culture and Multiplex Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus in Mexican Farm-Sampled Rainbow Trout
Authors: Barrera-Mejía Magda , Simón-Martínez J. , Salgado-Miranda Celene , Vega Fernando , Ortega César , Aragón Andrés
Published: November 2009

The infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) affects several species of freshwater and marine fish. In Mexico, IPNV has an important impact on farming of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss; however, IPNV distribution in Mexico is unclear. The diagnosis of IPNV is laborious; usually it is based on isolation tests in cell culture followed by immunological identification using techniques of serum neutralization, immunofluorescence, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It has recently been demonstrated that reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is an adequate method for the detection of aquatic birnaviruses. However, its diagnostic use is still limited because very low titers of viable virus cannot be easily detected. In this study, a combination of short-time cell culture and multiplex RT-PCR was established for the diagnosis of IPNV in rainbow trout obtained from farms in the state of Mexico. Three primer sets were used in a single reaction in the multiplex RT-PCR to increase the probability of identifying all serotypes of IPNV serogroup A as well as to help prevent a false-negative result. This approach was able to identify samples with an IPNV concentration of just 0.01 tissue culture infective dose with 50% endpoint (TCID50)/mL, and it identified more infected fish than RT-PCR alone or first-passage cell culture alone. Moreover, this technique made the same identifications as second-passage cell culture but in approximately 30% of the time needed for second-passage cell culture. Consequently, the time and cost efficiency of IPNV diagnosis were greatly reduced.
Evaluation of Dairy–Yeast Prebiotic Supplementation in the Diet of Juvenile Goldfish in the Presence or Absence of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton
Authors: Savolainen L. C. , Gatlin D. M.
Published: November 2009

Prebiotics recently have been shown to increase immune responses and disease resistance in certain fish species; therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the commercially available dairy–yeast prebiotic, GroBiotic-A, for use with juvenile goldfish Carassius auratus. The study consisted of two 10-week feeding trials in which juvenile goldfish were fed practical diets that were either unsupplemented or supplemented with the dairy–yeast prebiotic at 2% by dry weight. Juvenile fish were sorted by size and stocked into 12 units within each of two culture systems: one indoor system supplied with recirculated well water and one system located outdoors with a continuous flow of pond water to provide a source of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Both diets were fed to fish in six units within each system at the same fixed percentage of body weight twice daily. Culture system (i.e., presence or absence of phytoplankton and zooplankton) was the primary factor influencing (P < 0.0001) percent weight gain, feed efficiency, and survival of goldfish during the feeding trials. No dietary effect was detected, although there was a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between culture system and diet, with supplementation of the dairy–yeast prebiotic tending to improve weight gain and feed efficiency of fish in the presence of phytoplankton/zooplankton. During a controlled disease challenge with an intraperitoneally administered dose of Aeromonas hydrophila that was equivalent to a predetermined LD50 (dose lethal to 50% of test fish), average survival values ranged between 67% and 83% for fish that previously had access to phytoplankton/zooplankton compared with 17–33% for fish that had no access to phytoplankton/zooplankton. The dairy–yeast prebiotic, however, did not enhance resistance of goldfish to the bacterial pathogen and did not greatly alter microbiota of the anterior or posterior gastrointestinal tract based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis. In conclusion, the dairy–yeast prebiotic did not improve feed efficiency in goldfish or resistance to a bacterial pathogen as previously observed in golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas and hybrid bass (white bass Morone chrysops × striped bass M. saxatilis).
Flow Cytometric Characterization of Freshwater Crayfish Hemocytes for the Examination of Physiological Status in Wild and Captive Animals
Authors: Taylor Sean , Landman Michael J. , Ling Nicholas
Published: November 2009

Enumeration of invertebrate hemocytes is a potentially powerful tool for the determination of physiological effects of extrinsic stressors, such as hypoxia, disease, and toxicant exposure. A detailed flow cytometric method of broad application was developed for the objective characterization and enumeration of the hemocytes of New Zealand freshwater crayfish Paranephrops planifrons for the purpose of physiological health assessment. Hemocyte populations were isolated by flow cytometric sorting based on differential light scatter properties followed by morphological characterization via light microscopy and software image analysis. Cells were identified as hyaline, semigranular, and granular hemocytes based on established invertebrate hemocyte classification. A characteristic decrease in nuclear size, an increase in granularity between the hyaline and granular cells, and the eccentric location of nuclei in granular cells were also observed. The granulocyte subpopulations were observed to possess varying degrees of granularity. The developed methodology was used to perform total and differential hemocyte counts from three lake populations and between wild and captive crayfish specimens. Differences in total and differential hemocyte counts were not observed among the wild populations. However, specimens held in captivity for 14 d exhibited a significant 63% reduction in total hemocyte count, whereas the relative hemocyte proportions remained the same. These results demonstrate the utility of this method for the investigation of subacute stressor effects in selected decapod crustaceans.
Quebra de dormência em diásporos de teca (Tectona grandis L.f.)
Authors: Dias Jairo Rafael Machado , Caproni Ana Lucy , Wadt Paulo Guilherme Salvador , Silva Luis Mendes da , Tavella Leonardo Barreto , Oliveira Janiffe Peres de
Published: November 2009

Tectona grandis L.f. é uma essência florestal exótica de importância econômica e social para o Brasil. As mudas dessa espécie são produzidas através de diásporos constituídos dos frutos com endocarpo e mesocarpo rígidos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de métodos de quebra de dormência na germinação das sementes desta espécie. Para superar a dormência do endocarpo e mesocarpo, os diásporos de teca foram submetidos à imersão em água quente, imersão em ácido sulfúrico (33,5%) e imersão em água corrente. Os diásporos foram distribuídos em substrato constituído de areia, e o teste de germinação foi realizado em câmara de germinação com temperatura de 30 ºC, sob luz branca durante oito horas por dia. As avaliações foram feitas diariamente, durante 60 dias. O método de imersão dos diásporos em ácido sulfúrico por três minutos, foi o tratamento mais eficiente, apresentando 73% das sementes germinadas.
Análise de custos e rendimentos de diferentes métodos de corte de cipós para produção de madeira na floresta nacional do Tapajós
Authors: Pinho Gustavo Stancioli Campos de , Fiedler Nilton Cesar , Guimarães Pompeu Paes , Silva Gilson Fernandes , Santos Joaquim dos
Published: November 2009

Esta pesquisa foi realizada na Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, Pará, e foram avaliados os custos e rendimentos de quatro diferentes Métodos de corte de cipós na condução do manejo florestal, visando à produção de madeira em toras. Cada método foi conduzido numa área de 96 ha e a metodologia consistiu em cortar os cipós em torno de todas as árvores comerciais e potencialmente comerciais (Método M1-Individual), apenas na área de ocorrência de árvores comerciais e potencialmente comerciais (Método M2-Zoneado), em torno de todas as árvores comerciais e potencialmente comerciais e na direção de queda (Método M3-direção de queda) e apenas em torno das árvores comerciais destinadas à primeira colheita (Método M4). Em todas as variáveis analisadas os métodos utilizados diferiram estatisticamente. O método M4, com o menor custo (6,35 US$) e maior rendimento (2,07 ha/hora) é considerado o melhor desta pesquisa. Neste método, a população de cipós é parcialmente preservada, mantendo, assim, sua importante função ecológica na floresta.
Estabelecimento de Echinochloa polystachya (H.B.K.) Hitchcock (Poaceae) em solo de várzea contaminado com petróleo de Urucu
Authors: Lopes Aline , Piedade Maria Teresa Fernandez
Published: November 2009

A utilização de plantas para fitorremediação do solo requer que a concentração do poluente esteja dentro dos limites de tolerância da planta para que o tratamento seja eficaz. O rebrotamento e crescimento da herbácea aquática Echinochloa polystachya em solo de várzea contaminado por petróleo de Urucu foram estudados por meio do plantio de propágulos em frascos com 2 L de solo contaminado pela mistura de 7 dosagens de petróleo, distribuídas entre 0 e 0,46 L m-2. O experimento foi realizado em Casa de Vegetação e as plantas foram monitoradas durante 70 dias. Em resposta ao aumento da dosagem do petróleo, houve diminuição da biomassa aérea, da proporção de biomassa aérea viva/aérea total, do comprimento da folha e do número de folhas. A interação entre dosagem e tempo de exposição levou à diminuição do número de folhas, comprimento da folha, altura de inserção da primeira folha e aumento do número de folhas com comprometimento fitossanitário. A utilização de E. polystachya para fitorremediação pode estar limitada a solos com baixas dosagens de petróleo de Urucu.
Inventario taxonómico de drosophilidae (Diptera) en el Parque Nacional Yasuni, Amazonia Ecuatoriana
Authors: Acurio Andrea Elizabeth , Rafael Violeta Lily
Published: November 2009

En el Parque Nacional Yasuní, reconocido como un sector de alto endemismo y biodiversidad, ubicado al noroeste de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana se realizó el inventario taxonómico de la familia Drosophilidae. Para la captura de los individuos se utilizaron trampas con atrayente de banano y solución de levadura de cerveza. La identificación taxonómica se realizó usando caracteres morfológicos y la terminalia de los machos. En total se colectaron 7425 individuos clasificados en 34 especies de los géneros: Drosophila Fallén, 1823, Scaptodrosophila Duda, 1923, Neotanygastrella Duda, 1923 y Zaprionus Coquillett, 1901. Seis de estas especies son nuevos registros para el Ecuador: D. araicas Pavan & Nacrur, 1950, D. equinoxialis Dobzhansky, 1946, D. kikkawai Burla, 1954, D. subsaltans Magalhães, 1956, D. neocordata Magalhães, 1956 y D. peninsularis Patterson & Wheeler, 1942. Estos datos incrementan el número de especies registrados para el país y para la región amazónica.
Escala de clima organizacional para organizações de saúde: desenvolvimento e estrutura fatorial
Authors: Menezes Igor Gomes , Sampaio Leonardo Rodrigues , Gomes Ana Cristina Passos , Teixeira Flora Silva , Santos Pricila de Sousa
Published: November 2009

O clima organizacional, um dos construtos de maior complexidade na área organizacional, apresenta características que podem ser percebidas de formas distintas por diferentes profissionais. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar a Escala de Clima Organizacional para Organizações de Saúde. Para validar o instrumento foram investigados 668 trabalhadores da área de saúde, que responderam a 100 itens, distribuídos em 13 dimensões. Foi utilizada para estudo da validade a análise fatorial e, para exame da consistência interna, o cálculo do alpha de Cronbach. Os resultados apontaram como melhor solução fatorial a estrutura de 64 itens, dispostos em sete fatores. A consistência interna da medida foi de 0,934. A Escala de Clima Organizacional para Organizações de Saúde demonstrou boa qualidade psicométrica, considerando-se o contexto cultural investigado. Sugere-se, entretanto, a ampliação dos estudos para outros tipos de amostra e organizações, de modo a verificar a validade transcultural do construto.
Formação ética para a cidadania: uma investigação de habilidades sociais medidas pelo inventário de habilidades sociais
Authors: Carrara Kester , Betetto Mariana de Freitas
Published: November 2009

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar se o repertório de habilidades sociais importantes para a formação ética de um grupo de estudantes de ensino médio, curso pré-vestibular e curso de graduação em psicologia evidenciava mudanças relacionadas à diferença de idade e características específicas dos contextos interativos oferecidos pelas instituições de ensino participantes desse processo. Foi aplicado o Inventário de Habilidades Sociais a uma amostra de 45 estudantes e questionários semiestruturados a nove professores. Entre os alunos, os resultados indicaram diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as classes das categorias de ensino investigadas em relação a diferentes conjuntos de habilidades sociais. Dos resultados obtidos com os professores, pode-se depreender que estes possuem noção clara das capacidades que o aluno deve obter para agir com ética e ser cidadão, mas esses professores não propiciam condições, no contexto escolar, para a promoção de tais habilidades. Isso indicou a necessidade de melhorias na capacitação dos docentes, visando à ampliação do repertório de habilidades sociais de seus alunos.
Aliança terapêutica em psicoterapia de orientação psicanalítica: aspectos teóricos e manejo clínico
Authors: Peres Rodrigo Sanches
Published: November 2009

O termo aliança terapêutica, de utilização cada vez mais frequente na literatura psicanalítica, muitas vezes é equiparado erroneamente à transferência positiva ou considerado o oposto da transferência negativa. Trata-se, porém, de um termo com importantes especificidades. Este estudo objetivou abordar aspectos teóricos da aliança terapêutica e discutir seu manejo no contexto da psicoterapia de orientação psicanalítica. Para tanto, envolveu uma revisão bibliográfica e uma discussão de vinheta clínica. A revisão bibliográfica subsidiou o entendimento da aliança terapêutica como uma relação de trabalho, influenciada tanto por elementos conscientes quanto por conteúdos inconscientes, que se estabelece entre paciente e psicoterapeuta em prol do processo psicoterapêutico. A partir da discussão de vinheta clínica, o papel da escuta empática, da atitude amistosa, da atividade clarificadora, da função sintética e da postura reflexiva do psicoterapeuta para promovê-la e sustentá-la são enfatizados.
Reciclagem de resíduos da construção civil para a produção de argamassas
Authors: Menezes R. R. , Farias Filho J. , Ferreira H. S. , Neves G. A. , Ferreira H. C.
Published: November 2009

O volume de resíduos inorgânicos gerados a cada ano vem crescendo em todo mundo e apresenta um dos maiores problemas da sociedade moderna. Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a viabilidade de utilização do resíduo da serragem do granito e de resíduos da construção civil como materiais alternativos para a produção de argamassas. Os resíduos foram caracterizados física e mineralogicamente por meio da determinação de distribuição e tamanho de partículas, massa e área específica, composição química, difração de raios X e análise térmica diferencial. Foi determinado o índice de atividade pozolânica com cal dos resíduos da construção. Foram formuladas composições de argamassas substituindo parcialmente a cal pelos resíduos, e moldados corpos-de-prova. Os corpos-de-prova foram curados por 7, 14, 28 e 60 dias e, em seguida, foi determinada a resistência à compressão simples. Os resíduos apresentam elevados teores de SiO2, Al2O3 e Fe2O3 e possuem as fases cristalinas quartzo, mica, feldspato, carbonato de cálcio e óxido de ferro. A substituição do aglomerante por resíduos na produção de argamassas pode ser efetuada com sucesso em teores de até 50% e os resíduos com atividade pozolânica propiciam aumentos significativos na resistência à compressão simples das argamassas.
Preparação e caracterização de materiais compósitos SiC/caulim/Al via "squeeze-casting"
Authors: Freitas M. , Pianaro S. A. , Nadal F. N. , Tebcherani S. M. , Berg E. A. T.
Published: November 2009

Na busca de materiais com propriedades diferenciadas, vem aumentando nos últimos anos as pesquisas em materiais compósitos. Um dos importantes métodos de fabricação destes compósitos é o processo de infiltração sob pressão de metal fundido denominado "squeeze-casting". Este processo oferece algumas vantagens, tais como facilidade de produzir o compósito, baixo custo e capacidade de formação de estruturas em rede. Neste trabalho foram produzidos e caracterizados compósitos SiC-Al, com concentrações em caulim variando entre 10 e 50% em substituição a fase majoritária SiC. As pré-formas cerâmicas foram produzidas controlando-se a fração granulométrica do SiC/caulim para uma melhor infiltração. Estas pré-formas, após sinterização a 1100 ºC/1 h, resultaram altamente porosas, sendo a porosidade aumentada com o aumento do caulim em substituição ao SiC. Análises de DRX mostraram a existência de partículas de quartzo além da fase SiC como constituintes das pré-formas. Durante o processo de infiltração e tratamento térmico, o alumínio no estado líquido reagiu preferencialmente com o quartzo e outros aluminossilicatos da pré-forma reduzindo-os, precipitando alumina e silício na microestrutura, a qual apresentou também alumínio em excesso que não reagiu no processo. A sílica e os silicatos da pré-forma, ao reagirem preferencialmente com o alumínio, evitaram a reação do Al com o SiC, prevenindo a formação da fase Al4C3,, a qual é altamente higroscópica e causa a degradação do compósito. Dependendo da composição, os compósitos SiC-caulim-Al desenvolvidos neste trabalho, podem ser usados em aplicações que envolvam elevada resistência mecânica à flexão (240 a 300 MPa), baixa densidade e dureza superficial entre 180 e 380 kgf/mm².
Índices de vegetação de base espectral para discriminar doses de nitrogênio em capim-tanzânia
Authors: Abrahão Selma Alves , Pinto Francisco de Assis de Carvalho , Queiroz Daniel Marçal de , Santos Nerilson Terra , Gleriani José Marinaldo , Alves Enrique Anastácio
Published: November 2009

Este trabalho foi realizado para determinar, entre seis índices de vegetação baseados em dados de refletância espectral, aquele que melhor discrimina doses de nitrogênio e que possui maior correlação com leituras de clorofila e massa seca do capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq.). Os índices testados foram o NDVI (índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada, calculado utilizando a banda do vermelho e a banda do infravermelho próximo), VARI (índice resistente à atmosfera na região do visível, calculado utilizando a banda de transição do vermelho ao infravermelho e a banda do verde) e WDRVI (índice de vegetação de amplo alcance, calculado utilizando três coeficientes de ponderação, 0,05; 0,1 e 0,2). Foram avaliadas quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 80, 160 e 320 kg/ha) em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com subamostras, com três repetições e três subamostras por bloco. Os índices VARI utilizando a banda de transição do vermelho ao infravermelho e o WDRVI utilizando os coeficientes 0,05 e 0,1 foram os melhores para discriminar as doses de nitrogênio aplicadas em todos os períodos de avaliação estudados. O índice que apresentou maior correlação com as leituras de clorofila e massa seca foi o VARI com banda de transição do vermelho ao infravermelho.
Fontes e níveis de metionina em dietas para frangos de corte
Authors: Viana Maurício Tárcio dos Santos , Albino Fernando Teixeira , Rostagno Horacio Santiago , Barreto Sergio Luiz de Toledo , Carvalho Débora Cristine de Oliveira , Gomes Paulo Cezar
Published: November 2009

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de duas fontes de metionina, DL-metionina e metionina hidroxi análoga (MHA-AL), e de três níveis de suplementação desse aminoácido em dietas comerciais sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 1.232 pintos de corte machos da linhagem Ross, de 1 a 47 dias de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 X 3 (fonte de metionina X nível de suplementação) e uma dieta adicional (basal) sem suplementação, com oito repetições de 22 aves por unidade experimental. A dieta basal (sem suplementação) foi suplementada com 50, 100 e 150% de MHA ou DL-metionina em quantidade equivalente a 65% da quantidade de cada nível de MHA-AL utilizado. Avaliaram-se o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso, a conversão alimentar e o fator de produção. Em cada nível de suplementação, não houve diferença entre as dietas contendo 100 partes de MHA-AL e 65 partes de DL-metionina, exceto no período de 1 a 10 dias de idade, quando houve diferença significativa no ganho de peso no menor nível de suplementação. Sessenta e cinco partes de DL-metionina equivalem a 100 partes de MHA-AL.
Evaluation of different corn textures in dry grain or silage forms for piglets from 7 to 15 kg
Authors: Vieira Neto José , Cantarelli Vinícius de Souza , Fialho Elias Tadeu , Zangeronimo Márcio Gilberto , Amaral Nikolas de Oliveira , Rodrigues Paulo Borges
Published: November 2009

The objective of this study was to evaluate different textures and storage forms of corn in piglet diets. Two experiments were conducted, one of which tested digestibility of nutrients and the other diet performance. In the digestibility trial, 24 crossbred (Landrace X Large White) barrows with an initial weight of 18.7 ± 1.5 kg were used. They were kept in metabolic cages in a randomized block design using the factorial arrangement 2 X 2 (type of corn - dent and flint X type of storage - moist grain silage and dry grain) and six replicates, with one animal as the experimental unit. The values of metabolizable energy (ME) obtained were 3841 kcal of ME/kg of dry matter (DM) from dry corn, 3912 kcal of ME/kg of DM from moist corn, 4022 kcal of DM from ensiled dry corn and 3928 kcal of ME/kg of DM from ensiled humidity corn. The ensilage process increases the digestibility coefficient of dry matter and crude protein and increases the digestible energy of the diets, independent of the process form. The type of corn did not influence these variables. In the performance trial, 60 barrows (initial weight of 6.5 ± 1.5 kg) of the same stock were used during 28 days of post-weaning distributed in the same experimental design, with five replicates and three animals as the experimental unit. The treatments did not influence the daily weigh gain or the daily feed intake. The dentate corn and the ensilage process decreased the feed conversion of the independent form (no significant interaction). The substitution of dry for ensilage corn increased the digestibility of the nutrients in the diets and the feed conversion of the piglets from 7 to 15 kg. Dentate corn promotes best feed conversion in this phase.
Influência da frequência de suplementação no consumo, na digestibilidade e na fermentação ruminal em novilhos de corte mantidos em pastagem de capim-marandu
Authors: Morais Juciléia Aparecida da Silva , Berchielli Telma Teresinha , Queiroz Maria Fernanda Soares , Keli Abdelhafid , Reis Ricardo Andrade , Souza Samuel Figueirêdo de
Published: November 2009

Utilizaram-se nove novilhos Nelore fistulados no rúmen mantidos em nove piquetes de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) sob suplementação diária (sete vezes por semana); de segunda a sexta-feira (cinco vezes por semana); ou às segundas, quartas e sextas-feiras (três vezes por semana). Amostras de líquido ruminal foram coletadas em dois dias: um dia em que todos os animais receberam suplemento (dia 1) e outro subsequente, no qual somente os animais sob suplementação diária receberam suplemento (dia 2). A frequência de suplementação não alterou a ingestão de matéria seca de forragem, a ingestão de matéria seca total e a digestibilidade total da matéria seca. As variáveis foram afetadas somente pelo período, com redução significativa do mês de março para o mês de maio. A frequência de suplementação não afetou o pH ruminal. Para N-NH3 ruminal, observou-se interação frequência de suplementação X dia de coleta X horário de coleta. No dia 1 a concentração de N-NH3 não diferiu entre os horários após a suplementação entre os animais sob suplementação diária, enquanto no dia 2 houve um pico de produção de N-NH3 3 horas após a suplementação. Entre os animais sob suplementação cinco vezes por semana, a diferença entre os dias 1 e 2 foi ocasionada pelo tempo 12 do dia 2 (7 mg/dL). Na suplementação três vezes por semana, no dia 1 o pico de N-NH3 ocorreu 3 a 9 horas após a suplementação. A frequência de suplementação afetou somente a concentração de AGCC totais no dia 1 e a concentração de ácido butírico no dia 2. O mês do ano não afeta o pH e a concentração de N-NH3, mas os AGCC diminuem significativamente do mês de março para o mês de maio.
Visfatin regulates insulin secretion, insulin receptor signalling and mRNA expression of diabetes-related genes in mouse pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Brown James E P , Onyango David J , Ramanjaneya Manjunath , Conner Alex C , Patel Snehal T , Dunmore Simon J , Randeva Harpal S
Published: November 2009

The role of the adipocyte-derived factor visfatin in metabolism remains controversial, although some pancreatic β-cell-specific effects have been reported. This study investigated the effects of visfatin upon insulin secretion, insulin receptor activation and mRNA expression of key diabetes-related genes in clonal mouse pancreatic β-cells. β-TC6 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 and were subsequently treated with recombinant visfatin. One-hour static insulin secretion was measured by ELISA. Phospho-specific ELISA and western blotting were used to detect insulin receptor activation. Real-time SYBR Green PCR array technology was used to measure the expression of 84 diabetes-related genes in both treatment and control cells. Incubation with visfatin caused significant changes in the mRNA expression of several key diabetes-related genes, including marked up-regulation of insulin (9-fold increase), hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)1β (32-fold increase), HNF4α (16-fold increase) and nuclear factor κB (40-fold increase). Significant down-regulation was seen in angiotensin-converting enzyme (−3.73-fold) and UCP2 (−1.3-fold). Visfatin also caused a significant 46% increase in insulin secretion compared to control (P<0.003) at low glucose, and this increase was blocked by co-incubation with the specific nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase inhibitor FK866. Both visfatin and nicotinamide mononucleotide induced activation of both insulin receptor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, with visfatin-induced insulin receptor/ERK1/2 activation being inhibited by FK866. We conclude that visfatin can significantly regulate insulin secretion, insulin receptor phosphorylation and intracellular signalling and the expression of a number of β-cell function-associated genes in mouse β-cells.
Short form 1b human prolactin receptor down-regulates expression of the long form
Authors: Tan Dunyong , Walker Ameae M
Published: November 2009

Alternative splicing produces different human prolactin (PRL) receptors. These include a long form (LF) and two short forms (SF1a and SF1b). The SFs of the receptor can act as dominant negatives for PRL effector function through the LF. This is proposed to be due to LF–SF heterodimerization and resultant interference with LF–LF dimer signaling. We, along with others, have provided evidence for LF–SF heterodimerization of the human receptors in support of this mechanism, along with others. However, to further investigate the ways SF may influence LF function, we co-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells with vectors coding for tagged (green fluorescent protein (GFP) or luciferase) LF alone or plus untagged SF1b and measured LF-GFP intensity, LF-luciferase activity, and LF mRNA 48 h later. Equal amounts of SF1b cDNA decreased LF-GFP fluorescence intensity, LF-luciferase activity, and LF mRNA by 80–100%. Similar co-transfections with untagged LF had no significant effect on tagged LF expression. Use of hygromycin showed degradation of already formed protein was the same for LF-luciferase alone and LF-luciferase with SF1b. Inhibition of mRNA synthesis, on the other hand, showed that SF1b expression accelerated LF mRNA degradation two- to three-fold. SF1b also down-regulated expression of endogenous LF mRNA in T47D breast cancer cells and opposed an increase in cell number resulting from transfection with extra LF alone. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized mechanism whereby SF1b affects the end result of signaling through the LF receptor. The effects on cell number also support the concept that the LF:SF1b ratio may be relevant to tumor growth.
Increased bone mass in adult prostacyclin-deficient mice
Authors: Nakalekha Chalida , Yokoyama Chieko , Miura Hiroyuki , Alles Neil , Aoki Kazuhiro , Ohya Keiichi , Morita Ikuo
Published: November 2009

Prostaglandins (PGs) are key regulatory factors that affect bone metabolism. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) regulates bone resorption and bone formation. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is one of the major products derived from arachidonic acid by the action of cyclooxygenase and PGI2 synthase (PGIS). Unlike PGE2, there are few reports about the role of PGI2 in bone regulation. Therefore, we investigated the potential effect of PGI2 on bone metabolism. We used PGIS knockout (PGIS−/−), PGIS heterozygous (PGIS+/−), and wild-type mice to investigate the role of PGI2. Notably, PGIS−/− mice gradually displayed an increase in trabecular bone mass in adolescence. Adult PGIS−/− mice showed an increase in trabecular bone volume/tissue volume. Histomorphometric analysis showed that PGIS−/− mice displayed increases in both bone formation and bone resorption parameters. Levels of serum osteocalcin and C-telopeptides were increased in adult PGIS−/− mice. Furthermore, the increased bone mass patterns were rescued in PGIS−/tg mice. In conclusion, adult PGIS−/− mice displayed an overall increase in the levels of both bone formation and bone resorption parameters, which suggests that PGI2 deficiency accelerates high bone turnover activity with a greater increase in bone mass in aging. These results indicated that PGI2 may contribute to the maintenance of normal bone mass and micro-architecture in mice in age-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that PGI2 is involved in bone metabolism in vivo.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy May Promote Periodontal Healing Through Multiple Mechanisms
Authors: Braham Pam , Herron Caroline , Street Cale , Darveau Richard
Published: November 2009

Background: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjunctive treatment in addition to scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontitis has been shown to be clinically useful. Its beneficial effect is reported to be due to its potent bactericidal activity. However, aPDT treatment has the potential to inactivate bacterial and host factors that contribute to disease. In this report, we demonstrate that aPDT treatment can simultaneously kill Porphyromonas gingivalis and inactivate its virulence‐associated protease. It also inactivates host destructive cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐1β.

Methods: We developed a 96‐well‐based bacterial killing and protease inactivation assay that determined aPDT bactericidal and protease inactivation from the same sample. A cytokine inactivation assay that measured E‐selectin expression in response to TNF‐α and IL‐1β was developed to measure the ability of aPDT to inactivate cytokine function.

Results: A single aPDT treatment in vitro potently inactivated protease activity and resulted in a 4‐log10 reduction in the viability of P. gingivalis. Dose and time‐of‐exposure experiments revealed that protease inactivation occurred at lower concentrations of photosensitizer and less time of light exposure. Also, aPDT treatment potently and functionally inactivated IL‐1β and TNF‐α.

Conclusions: aPDT treatment may augment periodontal treatment by increasing bacterial killing, inactivating bacterial virulence factors, and inactivating host cytokines that impair periodontal restoration. Therefore, aPDT treatment may provide a more favorable healing environment.
A Comparison of the Periodontal Status in Patients With Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: A 5‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Schellinck Austin E. , Rees Terry D. , Plemons Jacqueline M. , Kessler Harvey P. , Rivera‐Hidalgo Francisco , Solomon Eric S.
Published: November 2009

Background: Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a heterogenous group of blistering autoimmune disorders of unknown etiology. Intraoral manifestations of MMP feature the formation of vesiculobullous lesions that eventually rupture, leading to pseudomembrane‐covered, irregularly‐shaped ulcerations. The presence of these often painful oral lesions may hinder oral hygiene efforts resulting in increased plaque accumulation and may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in periodontal status in patients with MMP after a period of 5 years.

Methods: Twenty patients, 10 diagnosed with MMP and 10 controls matched for age, gender, and smoking history, were chosen to participate in a study evaluating their periodontal status. Parameters evaluated included the plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, probing depths, recession, clinical attachment level, mobility, furcation involvement, number of missing teeth, and periodontitis. Data from the same MMP and control patients were available for comparison from an identical baseline evaluation performed 5 years earlier.

Results: Patients with MMP exhibited a statistically significant higher gingival index and amount of lingual gingival recession at both time periods compared to controls. Both groups exhibited statistically significant increases in attachment loss and facial/lingual recession, but the difference in change between groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that patients diagnosed with MMP appear to be no more at risk than controls matched for age, gender, and smoking history in developing or having an increased progression of periodontal disease.