bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health hazards and mitigation of chronic poisoning from arsenic in drinking water: Taiwan experiences
Authors: Chen Chien-Jen
Published: February 2014

There are two endemic areas of long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water in Taiwan. Residents in the southwestern and northeastern endemic areas started using high-arsenic artesian well water in the early 1910s and late 1940s, respectively. Public water supply system using surface water was implemented in southwestern and northeastern endemic areas in the 1970s and 1990s, respectively. Systemic health hazards of long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water have been intensively investigated since the 1960s, especially after 1985 in Taiwan. Several diseases have been well documented to be associated with chronic arsenic poisoning from drinking water showing a dose-response relation. They include characteristic skin lesions like hyperpigmentation or depigmentation, hyperkeratosis in palms and soles, and Bowen disease, peripheral vascular disease (specifically blackfoot disease), ischemic heart disease, cerebral infarction, microvascular diseases, abnormal peripheral microcirculation, carotid atherosclerosis, QT prolongation and increased dispersion in electrocardiography, hypertension, goiter, diabetes mellitus, cataract (specifically posterior subcapsular lens opacity), pterygium, slow neural conduction, retarded neurobehavioral development, erectile dysfunction, and cancers of the skin, lung, urinary bladder, kidney, and liver. The method of choice to mitigate arsenic poisoning through drinking water is to use safe drinking water from uncontaminated sources.
Figurenanalyse im Johannesevangelium
Authors: Ruben Zimmermann
Published: February 2014

Abstract: The many individuals appearing in the Fourth Gospel can only be traced back to historical figures to a limited extent, if at all. This is lamentable only to those who unilaterally link the truth of the gospel to history. The following contribution reveals how narratological methods allow characters to be analyzed and interpreted with contemporary theological relevance. The first section offers an overview of recent scholarship on character ana lysis, and the second section presents the characters of the Fourth Gospel along the heuristic lines of major, minor, and walk-on-characters. In the third section, select examples provide opportunities for considering: character traits and
direct/indirect presentation with the characterization of Jesus in John 4; the constellation of characters through the presentation of the siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; and finally, a summary of the character conception of John (the Baptist) in the Fourth Gospel.
Paul and the Provenance of the Law
Authors: Nordgaard Stefan
Published: February 2014

Abstract: Der vorliegende Beitrag sucht Paulus’ Verständnis des Ursprungs des jüdischen Gesetzes im Galaterbrief zu erhellen. Es wird dargelegt, dass die paulinische Vorstellung von der Abfassung und Übergabe des Gesetzes vergleichbar ist mit Philos – durch Platons Timaeus beeinflusster – Auffassung von der Schöpfung derjenigen Züge der menschlichen Natur, die das Böse hervorbringen. Paulus geht davon aus, dass Gott zwar beschlossen habe, das Gesetz abzufassen und dem jüdischen Volk zu übergeben. Gleichzeitig habe er die praktische Umsetzung jedoch Engeln übertragen, um keine Verantwortung für die Unvollkommenheit des Gesetzes übernehmen zu müssen, da dies mit seiner ontologischen Würde unvereinbar wäre.
Changes in Cerebral CB1Receptor Availability after Acute and Chronic Alcohol Abuse and Monitored Abstinence
Authors: Ceccarini Jenny , Hompes Titia , Verhaeghen Anne , Casteels Cindy , Peuskens Hendrik , Bormans Guy , Claes Stephan , Van Laere Koen
Published: February 2014

Involvement of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the effects of alcohol on the brain is supported by animal experiments, but howin vivoCB1R levels are altered in alcoholic patients is still unclear. To assess the short-time effects of a binge drinking episode on CB1R availability, 20 healthy social drinkers underwent [18F]MK-9470-positron emission tomography (PET) at baseline and after intravenous ethanol administration (ALC ACU). Moreover, 26 alcoholic patients underwent sequential CB1R PET after chronic heavy drinking (ALC CHR) and after 1 month of abstinence (ALC ABST). Seventeen healthy subjects served as controls.

Compared with baseline, ALC ACU resulted in a global increase of CB1R availability (+15.8%). In contrast, a global decreased CB1R availability was found in ALC CHR patients (−16.1%) compared with controls, which remained unaltered after abstinence (−17.0%). Voxel-based analysis showed that ALC CHR patients had reduced CB1R availability, especially in the cerebellum and parieto-occipital cortex. After abstinence, reduced CB1R availability extended also to other areas such as the ventral striatum and mesotemporal lobe.

In conclusion, whereas the acute alcohol effect is an increase in CB1R availability, chronic heavy drinking leads to reduced CB1R availability that is not reversible after 1 month of abstinence. Longer follow-up is required to differentiate whether this is a compensatory effect of repeated endocannabinoid overstimulation or an enduring trait-like feature. An enhanced CB1R signaling may offer a new therapeutic direction for treatment of the negative affective state produced by alcohol withdrawal and abstinence, which is critical for the maintenance of alcohol addiction.
A Sensitive Aβ Oligomer Assay Discriminates Alzheimer's and Aged Control Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Savage Mary J. , Kalinina Juliya , Wolfe Abigail , Tugusheva Katherine , Korn Rachel , Cash-Mason Tanesha , Maxwell Jill W. , Hatcher Nathan G. , Haugabook Sharie J. , Wu Guoxin , Howell Bonnie J. , Renger John J. , Shughrue Paul J. , McCampbell Alexander
Published: February 2014

A hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain is the amyloid β (Aβ) plaque, which is comprised of Aβ peptides. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that Aβ oligomers are more toxic than other peptide forms. We sought to develop a robust assay to quantify oligomers from CSF. Antibody 19.3 was compared in one-site and competitive ELISAs for oligomer binding specificity. A two-site ELISA for oligomers was developed using 19.3 coupled to a sensitive, bead-based fluorescent platform able to detect single photons of emitted light. The two-site ELISA was >2500× selective for Aβ oligomers over Aβ monomers with a limit of detection ∼0.09 pg/ml in human CSF. The lower limit of reliable quantification of the assay was 0.18 pg/ml and the antibody pairs recognized Aβ multimers comprised of either synthetic standards, or endogenous oligomers isolated from confirmed human AD and healthy control brain. Using the assay, a significant 3- to 5-fold increase in Aβ oligomers in human AD CSF compared with comparably aged controls was demonstrated. The increase was seen in three separate human cohorts, totaling 63 AD and 54 controls. CSF oligomers ranged between 0.1 and 10 pg/ml. Aβ oligomer levels did not strongly associate with age or gender, but had an inverse correlation with MMSE score. The C statistic for the Aβ oligomer ROC curve was 0.86, with 80% sensitivity and 88% specificity to detect AD, suggesting reasonable discriminatory power for the AD state and the potential for utility as a diagnostic marker.
Generalized Role for the Cerebellum in Encoding Internal Models: Evidence from Semantic Processing
Authors: Moberget Torgeir , Gullesen Eva Hilland , Andersson Stein , Ivry Richard B. , Endestad Tor
Published: February 2014

The striking homogeneity of cerebellar microanatomy is strongly suggestive of a corresponding uniformity of function. Consequently, theoretical models of the cerebellum's role in motor control should offer important clues regarding cerebellar contributions to cognition. One such influential theory holds that the cerebellum encodes internal models, neural representations of the context-specific dynamic properties of an object, to facilitate predictive control when manipulating the object. The present study examined whether this theoretical construct can shed light on the contribution of the cerebellum to language processing. We reasoned that the cerebellum might perform a similar coordinative function when the context provided by the initial part of a sentence can be highly predictive of the end of the sentence. Using functional MRI in humans we tested two predictions derived from this hypothesis, building on previous neuroimaging studies of internal models in motor control. First, focal cerebellar activation–reflecting the operation of acquired internal models–should be enhanced when the linguistic context leads terminal words to be predictable. Second, more widespread activation should be observed when such predictions are violated, reflecting the processing of error signals that can be used to update internal models. Both predictions were confirmed, with predictability and prediction violations associated with increased blood oxygenation level-dependent signal in the posterior cerebellum (Crus I/II). Our results provide further evidence for cerebellar involvement in predictive language processing and suggest that the notion of cerebellar internal models may be extended to the language domain.
Striatal Cholinergic Cell Ablation Attenuates l-DOPA Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinsonian Mice
Authors: Won Lisa , Ding Yunmin , Singh Pardeep , Kang Un Jung
Published: February 2014

3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (l-DOPA)-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a debilitating side effect of long-term dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's Disease. At present, there are few therapeutic options for treatment of LID and mechanisms contributing to the development and maintenance of these drug-induced motor complications are not well understood. We have previously shown that pharmacological reduction of cholinergic tone attenuates the expression of LID in parkinsonian mice with established dyskinesia after chronicl-DOPA treatment. The present study was undertaken to provide anatomically specific evidence for the role of striatal cholinergic interneurons by ablating them before initiation ofl-DOPA treatment and determining whether it decreases LID. We used a novel approach to ablate striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) via Cre-dependent viral expression of the diphtheria toxin A subunit (DT-A) in hemiparkinsonian transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under control of the choline acetyltransferase promoter. We show that Cre recombinase-mediated DT-A ablation selectively eliminated ChIs when injected into striatum. The depletion of ChIs markedly attenuated LID without compromising the therapeutic efficacy ofl-DOPA. These results provide evidence that ChIs play a key and selective role in LID and that strategies to reduce striatal cholinergic tone may represent a promising approach to decreasingl-DOPA-induced motor complications in Parkinson's disease.
dAcsl, theDrosophilaOrtholog of Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member 3 and 4, Inhibits Synapse Growth by Attenuating Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling via Endocytic Recycling
Authors: Liu Zhihua , Huang Yan , Hu Wen , Huang Sheng , Wang Qifu , Han Junhai , Zhang Yong Q.
Published: February 2014

Fatty acid metabolism plays an important role in brain development and function. Mutations in acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), which converts long-chain fatty acids to acyl-CoAs, result in nonsyndromic X-linked mental retardation. ACSL4 is highly expressed in the hippocampus, a structure critical for learning and memory. However, the underlying mechanism by which mutations of ACSL4 lead to mental retardation remains poorly understood. We report here that dAcsl, theDrosophilaortholog of ACSL4 and ACSL3, inhibits synaptic growth by attenuating BMP signaling, a major growth-promoting pathway at neuromuscular junction (NMJ) synapses. Specifically,dAcslmutants exhibited NMJ overgrowth that was suppressed by reducing the doses of the BMP pathway components, accompanied by increased levels of activated BMP receptor Thickveins (Tkv) and phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic (Mad), the effector of the BMP signaling at NMJ terminals. In addition, Rab11, a small GTPase involved in endosomal recycling, was mislocalized indAcslmutant NMJs, and the membrane association of Rab11 was reduced indAcslmutant brains. Consistently, the BMP receptor Tkv accumulated in early endosomes but reduced in recycling endosomes indAcslmutant NMJs. dAcsl was also required for the recycling of photoreceptor rhodopsin in the eyes, implying a general role for dAcsl in regulating endocytic recycling of membrane receptors. Importantly, expression of human ACSL4 rescued the endocytic trafficking and NMJ phenotypes ofdAcslmutants. Together, our results reveal a novel mechanism whereby dAcsl facilitates Rab11-dependent receptor recycling and provide insights into the pathogenesis of ACSL4-related mental retardation.
Explicit and Implicit Contributions to Learning in a Sensorimotor Adaptation Task
Authors: Taylor Jordan A. , Krakauer John W. , Ivry Richard B.
Published: February 2014

Visuomotor adaptation has been thought to be an implicit process that results when a sensory-prediction error signal is used to update a forward model. A striking feature of human competence is the ability to receive verbal instructions and employ strategies to solve tasks; such explicit processes could be used during visuomotor adaptation. Here, we used a novel task design that allowed us to obtain continuous verbal reports of aiming direction while participants learned a visuomotor rotation. We had two main hypotheses: the contribution of explicit learning would be modulated by instruction and the contribution of implicit learning would be modulated by the form of error feedback. By directly assaying aiming direction, we could identify the time course of the explicit component and, via subtraction, isolate the implicit component of learning. There were marked differences in the time courses of explicit and implicit contributions to learning. Explicit learning, driven by target error, was achieved by initially large then smaller explorations of aiming direction biased toward the correct solution. In contrast, implicit learning, driven by a sensory-prediction error, was slow and monotonic. Continuous error feedback reduced the amplitude of explicit learning and increased the contribution of implicit learning. The presence of instruction slightly increased the rate of initial learning and only had a subtle effect on implicit learning. We conclude that visuomotor adaptation, even in the absence of instruction, results from the interplay between explicit learning driven by target error and implicit learning of a forward model driven by prediction error.
A Single-Trial Estimation of the Feedback-Related Negativity and Its Relation to BOLD Responses in a Time-Estimation Task
Authors: Becker Michael P. I. , Nitsch Alexander M. , Miltner Wolfgang H. R. , Straube Thomas
Published: February 2014

An event-related potential (ERP) component reliably associated with feedback processing and well studied in humans is the feedback-related negativity (FRN), which is assumed to indicate activation of midcingulate cortex (MCC) neurons. However, recent approaches have conceptualized this frontocentral ERP component as reflecting at least partially a reward positivity associated with activation in reward-related brain regions, in line with fMRI studies investigating feedback processing in the context of reward evaluation. To discover convergence of electrophysiological and BOLD responses elicited by performance feedback, we concurrently recorded EEG and fMRI during a time-estimation task. The ERP showed relatively more negative amplitudes to negative than to positive feedback. Conventional analyses of fMRI data revealed activation of a number of areas, including ventral striatum, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex to positive versus negative feedback. Most importantly, when using single-trial amplitudes of electrophysiological feedback signals to estimate hemodynamic responses, we found feedback-related BOLD-responses in ventral striatum, midcingulate, and midfrontal cortices to positive but not to negative feedback associated with feedback signals in the time range of the FRN. Specifically, activation in these areas increased as amplitudes became more positive. These findings suggest that, in the time-estimation task, a positivity elicited by reward is associated with brain activation in several reward-related brain regions and is driving differential ERP responses in the time range of the FRN.
Neural Dynamics Underlying Target Detection in the Human Brain
Authors: Bansal Arjun K. , Madhavan Radhika , Agam Yigal , Golby Alexandra , Madsen Joseph R. , Kreiman Gabriel
Published: February 2014

Sensory signals must be interpreted in the context of goals and tasks. To detect a target in an image, the brain compares input signals and goals to elicit the correct behavior. We examined how target detection modulates visual recognition signals by recording intracranial field potential responses from 776 electrodes in 10 epileptic human subjects. We observed reliable differences in the physiological responses to stimuli when a cued target was present versus absent. Goal-related modulation was particularly strong in the inferior temporal and fusiform gyri, two areas important for object recognition. Target modulation started after 250 ms post stimulus, considerably after the onset of visual recognition signals. While broadband signals exhibited increased or decreased power, gamma frequency power showed predominantly increases during target presence. These observations support models where task goals interact with sensory inputs via top-down signals that influence the highest echelons of visual processing after the onset of selective responses.
Therapeutic management of hypophosphatemic rickets from infancy to adulthood
Authors: Linglart Agnès , Biosse-Duplan Martin , Briot Karine , Chaussain Catherine , Esterle Laure , Guillaume-Czitrom Séverine , Kamenicky Peter , Nevoux Jerome , Prié Dominique , Rothenbuhler Anya , Wicart Philippe , Harvengt Pol
Published: February 2014

In children, hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) is revealed by delayed walking, waddling gait, leg bowing, enlarged cartilages, bone pain, craniostenosis, spontaneous dental abscesses, and growth failure. If undiagnosed during childhood, patients with hypophosphatemia present with bone and/or joint pain, fractures, mineralization defects such as osteomalacia, entesopathy, severe dental anomalies, hearing loss, and fatigue. Healing rickets is the initial endpoint of treatment in children. Therapy aims at counteracting consequences of FGF23 excess, i.e. oral phosphorus supplementation with multiple daily intakes to compensate for renal phosphate wasting and active vitamin D analogs (alfacalcidol or calcitriol) to counter the 1,25-diOH-vitamin D deficiency. Corrective surgeries for residual leg bowing at the end of growth are occasionally performed. In absence of consensus regarding indications of the treatment in adults, it is generally accepted that medical treatment should be reinitiated (or maintained) in symptomatic patients to reduce pain, which may be due to bone microfractures and/or osteomalacia. In addition to the conventional treatment, optimal care of symptomatic patients requires pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of pain and joint stiffness, through appropriated rehabilitation. Much attention should be given to the dental and periodontal manifestations of HR. Besides vitamin D analogs and phosphate supplements that improve tooth mineralization, rigorous oral hygiene, active endodontic treatment of root abscesses and preventive protection of teeth surfaces are recommended. Current outcomes of this therapy are still not optimal, and therapies targeting the pathophysiology of the disease, i.e. FGF23 excess, are desirable. In this review, medical, dental, surgical, and contributions of various expertises to the treatment of HR are described, with an effort to highlight the importance of coordinated care.
Angular Momentum
Authors: Sieg George
Published: February 2014

In the last decade, a ‘sinister milieu’ has developed out of the eponymous ‘traditional’ Satan-ism promoted and further developed by the Order of Nine Angles, which emerged in the British occult scene in the 1980s. This milieu includes a diversity of Satanic and post-Satanic currents which have established the ‘sinister’ as a significant sub-category of Left-Hand Path ideology. Some groups affiliated with the Order of Nine Angles to varying degrees have ad-vanced the concept of the sinister in novel directions removed from the category of ‘Satan-ism,’ further specifying the sinister milieu’s conception of the Left-Hand Path.
Forma paraplégica de tétano associada a lesão medular pregressa
Authors: Melaragno Roberto , Veronesi Ricardo , Saraiva Sylvio
Published: February 2014

Apresentação de um caso de forma paraplégica de tétano, com ponto de partida no pé, verificada em paciente portador de lesão medular pregressa (inflamatória? desmielinizante?). Os autores levantam a hipótese de que seu caso seria a reprodução, na patologia humana, das conclusões experimentais de Meyer, Ranson e outros, que conseguiram limitar o tétano aos membros posteriores de animais de laboratório quando, previamente à injeção de toxina na pata posterior, seccionavam a medula espinal.
Qualidade tecnológica do arroz branco polido submetido à irradiação gama (Co60)
Authors: Guimarães Ívina Catarina de Oliveira , Pereira Joelma , Cornélio Vanda Maria de Oliveira , Batista Luís Roberto , Ferreira Eric Batista
Published: February 2014

A aplicação da radiação ionizante, com o propósito de garantir a segurança dos grãos, tem sido apresentada como alternativa eficaz e segura ao uso de defensivos agrícolas e prática promissora, a ser utilizada para estender a vida útil e reduzir as perdas das safras de grãos. Contudo, assim como outros tratamentos de conservação de alimentos, a irradiação pode alterar sua qualidade. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade de cocção do arroz submetido a diferentes doses de irradiação gama Co60 (0,0 kGy, 6,5 kGy e 7,5 kGy). Observou-se que o arroz irradiado com 7,5 kGy apresentou um tempo de cozimento significativamente maior (18,21 min.) que o do arroz irradiado na dose 6,5 kGy (17,11 min) e 0,0 kGy (16,83 min.). Os valores médios de expansão do volume do arroz não irradiado foi de 365,65%; já, para o arroz irradiado, os valores foram menores, apresentando-se com 322,19%. Quanto à perda de sólidos solúveis, essa foi significativamente maior no arroz branco polido irradiado (17,0%), do que no arroz não irradiado (10,35%). Embora a irradiação gama tenha influenciado em alguns parâmetros de cocção do arroz, refletindo-se em maior tempo de cozimento, para a irradiação na dose 7,5 kGy, no menor coeficiente de expansão do volume e na maior perda de sólidos solúveis, os valores encontrados assemelham-se aos valores referenciados, na literatura, como desejáveis para a qualidade deste cereal.
Custo da implantação e utilização de dois métodos de identificação de bovinos leiteiros
Authors: Lopes Marcos Aurélio , Silva Marilane das Dores , Demeu Andréia Alves , Gomide Débora Ribeiro , Bruhn Fábio Raphael Pascoti
Published: February 2014

Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o custo da implantação e utilização de dois métodos de identificação de bovinos, o do brinco auricular convencional e o da arruela auricular eletrônica, além de discutir as vantagens e limitações de cada um. Foram anotadas todas as despesas operacionais referentes à identificação e, dentro de cada método, foram mensurados os tempos de contenção do animal, de implantação do identificador, de leitura do brinco, de digitação e de transferência de dados. O custo da identificação da arruela auricular eletrônica foi mais elevado, principalmente em função da aquisição dos equipamentos e dispositivos de identificação. Entretanto, verificou-se maior confiabilidade das informações registradas, já que o brinco auricular convencional, apesar do menor custo, apresentou erros na transcrição dos dados. Assim, cabe a cada produtor e, ou, técnico definir qual deve ser o método de identificação adequado ao seu sistema de produção, considerando não apenas os aspectos financeiros, mas também as limitações e benefícios de cada um.
Shape and size of jatropha beans (Jatropha curcas L.) during drying at different temperatures
Authors: Siqueira Valdiney Cambuy , Resende Osvaldo , Chaves Tarcísio Honório
Published: February 2014

This study was carried out to study the physical properties of the jatropha beans over the drying under six air conditions, based on measurements of roundness, sphericity, volume, superficial area, projected area and surface/volume ratio. Jatropha beans with moisture content around 0.61 (decimal d.b.) were subjected to thin-layer drying in oven with forced-air circulation under six temperature conditions (36, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 °C) and relative humidity of 31.7; 19.6; 9.4; 4.8; 2.6 and 1.5% respectively, until reaching the moisture content of 0.11 ± 0.006 (decimal d. b.). The results showed that the necessary time for jatropha beans to reach the moisture content of 0.11 ± 0.006 (decimal d.b.) were 1.5; 2.25; 3.0; 4.75; 6.75 and 12.0 h for the drying temperatures of 105, 90, 75, 60, 45 and 36 °C, respectively; and the reduction in the moisture content as well as the drying conditions promoted changes in the shape and reduced the size of the jatropha beans.
Cold storage of peaches cv. Aurora grown in the Zona da Mata Mineira, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Silva Danielle Fabíola Pereira , Ribeiro Mariana Rodrigues , Silva José Osmar da Costa e , Matias Rosana Gonçalves Pires , Bruckner Claudio Horst
Published: February 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest behavior of peach cv. Aurora 1 harvested in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais in two ripening stages and kept under different storage temperatures. Fruits on mid-ripe and fully ripe stages were stored at three temperatures: 5.6 ± 1.57 °C and 72.8 ± 3.8% RH; 10.4 ± 0.5 °C and 95.8 ± 5.5% RH; 21.04 ± 1.63 °C and 96.9 ± 2.6% RH up to 28 storage days (SD) . During storage, fruits stored at 21.04 ± 1.63 °C were evaluated every two days until 8 SD, and every four days for fruits stored at other temperatures. The harvest day was assigned as day zero. The variables evaluated were CO2 production, color of the pericarp and pulp, fresh mass loss, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, contents of ascorbic acid and carotenoids. The fresh mass loss increased during storage, peaking at 5.6 °C. The reduction in ascorbic acid content was higher in fully ripe fruits at all temperatures. Mid-ripe fruits reached the end of the storage period with better quality. The temperature of 10.4 °C was the most efficient in keeping postharvest quality of peach cv. Aurora 1 harvested in the Zona da Mata region.
Níveis críticos foliares de nutrientes de três cultivares de batata-doce, selecionados para a produção de etanol
Authors: Thumé Maurício Alberto , Dias Luiz Eduardo , Silveira Márcio Antônio da , Assis Igor Rodrigues de
Published: February 2014

Nos últimos 12 anos, pesquisas desenvolvidas no Estado do Tocantins resultaram em dez novos cultivares de batata-doce com elevada concentração de amido, próprios para a produção de etanol. Entretanto, pouco se conhece a respeito de suas exigências nutricionais e teores foliares de nutrientes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a absorção e a exportação de nutrientes e determinar os níveis críticos foliares de N, P e K, para os cultivares de batata-doce 'Amanda', 'Carolina Vitória' e 'Duda', em função de diferentes doses de N, P e K aplicadas ao solo. O experimento compreendeu 33 tratamentos, dispostos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os teores foliares de N, S, Cu e Zn variaram entre os cultivares e, os teores de P e K, apenas em função das doses de P2O5 e K2O, respectivamente. Os teores de N, P e K nas raízes tuberosas variaram, significativamente, em função das doses destes nutrientes aplicadas ao solo, sendo que K foi o nutriente que se acumulou em maior quantidade, seguido do N e, este, de Ca, P, Mg e S, cujas quantidades acumuladas foram cerca de dez vezes inferiores às do N. De acordo com os níveis críticos foliares obtidos, o cultivar 'Amanda' mostrou-se mais exigente em N e P e, o cultivar 'Duda', em K, indicando, desta maneira, que as adubações com estes nutrientes devem ser individualizadas em função do cultivar, para que se atinja maior eficiência econômica e ambiental.
Cellular immune response of Curraleiro Pé-duro and Nellore calves following Mycobacterium bovis-BCG vaccination
Authors: Maggioli Mayara Fernanda , Lobo Joyce Rodrigues , Fioravanti Maria Clorinda Soares , Kipnis André , Junqueira-Kipnis Ana Paula
Published: February 2014

The present study aimed to assess the CD4, CD8 and γδ blood levels for Curraleiro Pé-duro, as well as the specific IFN-γ response after BCG vaccination using flow cytometry. The specific immune response against BCG was also evaluated by tuberculin skin test, performed before and 45 days after the vaccination. For comparison purposes, the same parameters were investigated on Nellore calves, an exotic bovine with resistance previously demonstrated. Naturally, Curraleiro Pé-duro animals had greater levels of CD4, CD8 and γδ lymphocytes (p<0.05). In response to vaccine, Curraleiro Pé-duro showed greater ability to respond specifically to BCG, generating resistance profile (Th1), evidenced by greater number of antigen specific CD4+ cells producing IFN-γ (p<0.05) and also higher tuberculin skin test reaction (p<0.05). Additionally, vaccinated Curraleiro Pé-duro calves had higher CD4 cells numbers than both Nellore control (p<0.05) and vaccinated groups (p<0.05). Curraleiro Pé-duro calves' higher basal lymphocytes blood level and stronger response in both IFN-γ and tuberculin skin test parameters probably play a positive role on protection/resistance to Mycobacterium bovis.
Mapping the sites of latency and reactivation by bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) and a thymidine kinase-deleted BoHV-5 in lambs
Authors: Cadore Gustavo C. , Marcon Gian , Brum Mario Celso Sperotto , Weiblen Rudi , Flores Eduardo F.
Published: February 2014

A thymidine kinase (tk)-deleted bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5tkΔ) was previously shown to establish latent infection and reactivate - even poorly - in a sheep model (Cadore et al. 2013). As TK-negative alphaherpesviruses are unlike to reactivate in neural tissue, this study investigated the sites of latency and reactivation by this recombinant in lambs. For this, groups of lambs were inoculated intranasally with the parental BoHV-5 strain (SV-507/99) or with the recombinant BoHV-5tkΔ. During latent infection (40 days post-inoculation, pi), the distribution of recombinant virus DNA in neural and non-neural tissues was similar to that of the parental virus. Parental and recombinant virus DNA was consistently detected by PCR in trigeminal ganglia (TGs); frequently in palatine and pharyngeal tonsils and, less frequently in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. In addition, latent DNA of both viruses was detected in several areas of the brain. After dexamethasone (Dx) administration (day 40pi), the recombinant virus was barely detected in nasal secretions contrasting with marked shedding of the parental virus. In tissues of lambs euthanized at day 3 post-Dx treatment (pDx), reverse-transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for a late viral mRNA (glycoprotein D gene) demonstrated reactivation of parental virus in neural (TGs) and lymphoid tissues (tonsils, lymph node). In contrast, recombinant virus mRNA was detected only in lymphoid tissues. These results demonstrate that BoHV-5 and the recombinant BoHV-5tkΔ do establish latent infection in neural and non-neural sites. Reactivation of the recombinant BoHV-5tkΔ, however, appeared to occur only in non-neural sites. In anyway, the ability of a tk-deleted strain to reactivate latent infection deserves attention in the context of vaccine safety.
Virulência e formação de biofilme microbiano por Enterococcus faecalis isolados de swabs cloacais de frangos de corte infectados com Eimeria spp
Authors: Cassenego Ana Paula V. , Ellwanger Juliana , d'Azevedo Pedro A. , Ribeiro Andreia M.L. , Frazzon Jeverson , Frazzon Ana Paula G.
Published: February 2014

A dinâmica da microbiota no trato gastrointestinal (TG) de animais pode ser afetada por patógenos, tais como Eimeria spp. Os enterococos são bactérias saprófitas que colonizam o TG de mamíferos e aves. A influência sobre a microbiota intestinal está relacionada com a capacidade de adaptação das bactérias em se aderir às células hospedeiras e de colonizar as células das mucosas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a frequência de genes de virulência ace, agg e operon do bopABCD em Enterococcus faecalis isolados de swabs cloacais de frangos de corte desafiados com Eimeria spp e alimentados com dietas padrões suplementadas ou não com anticoccidiano (monesina) e também avaliar a capacidade dessas cepas em formar biofilmes sob condições in vitro. Um total de 70 E. faecalis foram selecionadas e o gene agg foi mais freqüente em cepas isoladas de frangos de corte alimentados com anticoccidiano (92,3%) quando comparado ao grupo que não recebeu anticoccidiano (70,5%). Por outro lado, os genes ace e do operon bopABCD não demostraram nenhuma diferença significativa entre os dois grupos de frangos (P>0,005). Os E. faecalis isolados de frangos de corte alimentados com anticoccidiano demostraram uma maior frequência de fortes aderentes quando crescendo em meio suplementado com glicose (92,3-88,5%) e urina (77%), quando comparado com enterococos isolados de frangos que não receberam anticoccidiano. Observou-se que E. faecalis isolados de frangos tratados com anticoccidiano mostraram uma maior frequêencia dos genes dos fatores de virulência e de perfil de fortes formadores de biofilme, o que indica uma melhor adaptação dos isolados em ambiente intestinal saudável.
Eimeria spp. from Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica): new characteristic features and diagnostic tools
Authors: Berto Bruno P. , Borba Helcio R. , Lima Viviane M. , Flausino Walter , Teixeira-Filho Walter L. , Lopes Carlos Wilson G.
Published: February 2014

The Japanese quail Coturnix japonica originated from North Africa, Europe and Asia, is used worldwide as an experimental animal and model for aviculture. The current paper characterizes Eimeria bateri, Eimeria tsunodai and Eimeria uzura recovered from C. japonica. Based on the fact that quails have a global distribution, as are their coccidia, the findings of this study should provide the means for diagnosis of those Eimeria spp. in other regions and continents. Eimeria bateri showed the greatest intensity of infection and shed oocysts from the fourth day after infection; in contrast, E. tsunodai and E. uzura shed oocysts from the fifth day after infection. The three species shared a high degree of similarity and were all polymorphic. Yet, the application of line regressions, histograms and ANOVA provided means for the identification of these species. Finally, the algorithm was very efficient since verified that resultant values were not superimposed.
Ovinocultura do Rio Grande do Sul: descrição do sistema produtivo e dos principais aspectos sanitários e reprodutivos
Authors: Silva Ana Paula S. Poeta , Santos Diego V. , Kohek Jr Ivo , Machado Gustavo , Hein Héber E. , Vidor Ana Carla M. , Corbellini Luis Gustavo
Published: February 2014

A ovinocultura sempre foi uma atividade de grande importância econômica e de tradição para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), mesmo com as crises da lã ocorridas nas décadas de 80 e 90, o rebanho ovino Gaúcho continua sendo o maior a nível nacional. Com a escassez de dados sobre essa atividade, o presente estudo possui como objetivo caracterizar a ovinocultura do RS. Para isso, foi utilizada uma amostragem planejada, caracterizada pela aleatoriedade e estratificação da amostra pelas sete Mesorregiões do Estado. Foram analisadas 705 propriedades rurais através de um questionário epidemiológico, aplicado por 25 veterinários do Departamento de Defesa Animal, da Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Agronegócio do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Conforme os resultados obtidos, a ovinocultura gaúcha é explorada extensivamente e baseada na produção conjunta de carne e lã, cuja principal finalidade é a subsistência. Assim, demonstrando que essa atividade ainda mantém padrões de sua origem, com pouca tecnificação, tanto em aspectos sanitários quanto reprodutivos, revelando, portanto, que a ovinocultura gaúcha ainda é vista como uma produção secundária pelos produtores rurais gaúchos, o que pode ser explicado pelos baixos investimentos neste setor.
Estratégias de inovação sob a perspectiva da Resourced-Based View: análise e evidências em empresas de base tecnológica
Authors: Sanches Paula Luciana Bruschi , Machado André Gustavo Carvalho
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar as estratégias de inovação de empresas de base tecnológica, sob a perspectiva da Resource-Based View. Nesse sentido, a estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi estudo de casos múltiplos, empreendido em quatro empresas. A análise dos dados, por seu turno, ocorreu em dois estágios: análise individual e análise cruzada dos casos, com suporte do software Atlas.ti. Quanto às estratégias de inovação, constatou-se que os quatro casos possuem um comportamento reativo às mudanças no ambiente, realizando, em sua maioria, estratégias de inovação exploitative por meio de inovações incrementais e abertas. À luz do modelo VRIO, alguns recursos intangíveis sobressaíram-se: know-how, cultura organizacional e capacidade empreendedora e inovadora. Conclui-se que as mudanças exigidas tanto tecnológica quanto estrategicamente reforçam o valor da óptica da RBV na seleção, aquisição ou aprimoramento dos recursos tangíveis e intangíveis de empresas de base tecnológica.
Trabalho e bem-estar na polícia da Nigéria a partir dos anos 1980: foco nas divisões de polícia de Jos
Authors: Onoja Adoyi
Published: February 2014

A polícia é uma metáfora para a crise sistêmica enfrentada pela Nigéria, especialmente desde o início da década de 1980. A crise foi anunciada pelo colapso econômico ocasionado pela má gestão e corrupção na indústria do petróleo. A intervenção do Fundo Monetário Internacional exigiu cortes em vários setores, inclusive no de segurança. Ironicamente, este foi também o período em que a necessidade de intervenção do setor de segurança foi mais urgente. Aliado ao tipo de governança - com regras militares -, a polícia foi imensamente negligenciada como a principal força para a defesa da lei e o controle da crise. As condições de trabalho e de bem estar, determinantes fundamentais da produtividade, deterioraram-se junto com a expectativa crescente dos nigerianos em relação à polícia em meio à criminalidade crescente e ao colapso da ordem. Por meio de entrevistas, observações e anedotas, contadas principalmente pelos funcionários trabalhando em Jos, este artigo examina as condições de trabalho e de bem estar da polícia. Ele argumenta que a piora das condições de trabalho da polícia ocorre em função do declínio econômico, da corrupção e da preferência por um tipo de regime. Conclui-se apelando pela melhora das condições de trabalho e de bem estar como peças fundamentais para o bom desempenho da polícia.
As boas práticas com TIC e a utilidade atribuída pelos alunos recém-integrados na universidade
Authors: Ricoy María Carmen , Couto Maria João V. S.
Published: February 2014

As Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) marcam as dinâmicas de trabalho dos diferentes contextos profissionais, e o âmbito educativo não é uma exceção. Nesta investigação, pretende-se conhecer a percepção que têm os alunos recém-integrados no ensino universitário sobre as boas práticas educativas com as TIC. Para tanto, analisou-se o conteúdo de relatos dos alunos, nos quais plasmam sua reflexão sobre as experiências e ideias prévias no âmbito da temática em causa. O estudo de caso abordou-se a partir de um enfoque qualitativo que se enquadra na investigação narrativa. A amostra é composta por 55 alunos com idades entre 18 e 37 anos que frequentam o 1Âº ano do Grau em Educação Social na Universidade de Vigo (Espanha). Como resultados e principais conclusões, salienta-se que a simples utilização das TIC é associada pelos participantes às boas práticas, sem questionar a combinação de seu uso com o de estratégias didáticas de tipo inovador. Descobre-se que eles atribuem as boas práticas com TIC ao uso de dispositivos e aplicativos bastante atuais. Os participantes identificam diferentes benefícios em seu uso relativamente a: acesso à internet, comunicação, publicação e difusão de conteúdos numa multitude de formatos. Já como obstáculos, destacam o elevado custo econômico de alguns dispositivos, as dificuldades técnicas, a distração que podem produzir, assim como a perda de contato pessoal e de tempo. Também são capazes de extrapolar a utilização do que consideram boas práticas com TIC a algum aspecto do trabalho de sua futura profissão.
Seismic behaviour of concrete jacketed columns in buildings
Authors: Kaliyaperumal Gnanasekaran , Sengupta Amlan Kumar
Published: February 2014

An existing reinforced concrete building with moment-resisting frames can be vulnerable during an earthquake owing to its deficient columns. The present paper reports a study on the enhancement of flexural strength and behaviour of columns, by concrete jacketing. First, the performance of the interface of additional concrete cast against the prepared surface of existing concrete was studied. Tests were then conducted on reference (without strengthening) and jacketed column specimens, to study the enhancement of strength of a retrofitted column section under the interaction of axial load and bending moment. Subsequently, interior beam–column–slab sub-assemblage specimens were tested under simultaneous vertical and lateral loading. It was observed that the selected jacketing scheme was effective in enhancing the flexural strength, as well as in retaining the ductility and energy dissipation in the behaviour. The moment–curvature behaviour of a retrofitted column section was predicted based on the layered analysis. The information was fed in the lateral load against drift analysis of a computational model of a retrofitted sub-assemblage specimen, using an incremental non-linear technique. The paper presents the method of analysis and guidelines for retrofitting of columns for seismic forces.
Allocation trade‐offs dominate the response of tropical forest growth to seasonal and interannual drought
Authors: Doughty Christopher E. , Malhi Yadvinder , Araujo-Murakami Alejandro , Metcalfe Daniel B. , Silva-Espejo Javier E. , Arroyo Luzmila , Heredia Juan P. , Pardo-Toledo Erwin , Mendizabal Luz M. , Rojas-Landivar Victor D. , Vega-Martinez Meison , Flores-Valencia Marcio , Sibler-Rivero Rebeca , Moreno-Vare Luzmarina , Viscarra Laura Jessica , Chuviru-Castro Tamara , Osinaga-Becerra Marilin , Ledezma Roxana
Published: February 2014

What determines the seasonal and interannual variation of growth rates in trees in a tropical forest? We explore this question with a novel four‐year high‐temporal‐resolution data set of carbon allocation from two forest plots in the Bolivian Amazon. The forests show strong seasonal variation in tree wood growth rates, which are largely explained by shifts in carbon allocation, and not by shifts in total productivity. At the deeper soil plot, there was a clear seasonal trade‐off between wood and canopy NPP, while the shallower soils plot showed a contrasting seasonal trade‐off between wood and fine roots. Although a strong 2010 drought reduced photosynthesis, NPP remained constant and increased in the six‐month period following the drought, which indicates usage of significant nonstructural carbohydrate stores. Following the drought, carbon allocation increased initially towards the canopy, and then in the following year, allocation increased towards fine‐root production. Had we only measured woody growth at these sites and inferred total NPP, we would have misinterpreted both the seasonal and interannual responses. In many tropical forest ecosystems, we propose that changing tree growth rates are more likely to reflect shifts in allocation rather than changes in overall productivity. Only a whole NPP allocation perspective can correctly interpret the relationship between changes in growth and changes in productivity.
Estimating dispersal among numerous sites using capture–recapture data
Authors: Lagrange Paméla , Pradel Roger , Bélisle Marc , Gimenez Olivier
Published: February 2014

Dispersal affects processes as diverse as habitat selection, population growth, and gene flow. Inference about dispersal and its variation is thus crucial for assessing population and evolutionary dynamics. Two approaches are generally used to estimate dispersal in free‐ranging animals. First, multisite capture–recapture models estimate movement rates among sites while accounting for survival and detection probabilities. This approach, however, is limited in the number of sites that can be considered. Second, diffusion models estimate movements within discrete habitat using a diffusion coefficient, resulting in a continuous processing of space. However, this approach has been rarely used because of its mathematical and implementation complexity. Here, we develop a multi‐event capture–recapture approach that circumvents the issue of too many sites while being relatively simple to be implemented in existing software. Moreover, this new approach allows the quantifying of memory effects, whereby the decision of dispersing or not on a given year impacts the survival or dispersal likelihood of the following year. We illustrate our approach using a long‐term data set on the breeding ecology of a declining passerine in southern Québec, Canada, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).
Higher plant diversity promotes higher diversity of fungal pathogens, while it decreases pathogen infection per plant
Authors: Rottstock Tanja , Joshi Jasmin , Kummer Volker , Fischer Markus
Published: February 2014

Fungal plant pathogens are common in natural communities where they affect plant physiology, plant survival, and biomass production. Conversely, pathogen transmission and infection may be regulated by plant community characteristics such as plant species diversity and functional composition that favor pathogen diversity through increases in host diversity while simultaneously reducing pathogen infection via increased variability in host density and spatial heterogeneity. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of multi‐host–multi‐pathogen interactions is of high significance in the context of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning. We investigated the relationship between plant diversity and aboveground obligate parasitic fungal pathogen (“pathogens” hereafter) diversity and infection in grasslands of a long‐term, large‐scale, biodiversity experiment with varying plant species (1–60 species) and plant functional group diversity (1–4 groups). To estimate pathogen infection of the plant communities, we visually assessed pathogen‐group presence (i.e., rusts, powdery mildews, downy mildews, smuts, and leaf‐spot diseases) and overall infection levels (combining incidence and severity of each pathogen group) in 82 experimental plots on all aboveground organs of all plant species per plot during four surveys in 2006.

Pathogen diversity, assessed as the cumulative number of pathogen groups on all plant species per plot, increased log‐linearly with plant species diversity. However, pathogen incidence and severity, and hence overall infection, decreased with increasing plant species diversity. In addition, co‐infection of plant individuals by two or more pathogen groups was less likely with increasing plant community diversity. We conclude that plant community diversity promotes pathogen‐community diversity while at the same time reducing pathogen infection levels of plant individuals.