Unsupervised machine learning approaches to the qq-state Potts model

In this paper with study phase transitions of the $q$-state Potts model, through a number of unsupervised machine learning techniques, namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA), $k$-means clustering, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), and Topological Data Analysis (TDA). Even though in all cases we are able to retrieve the correct critical temperatures $T_c(q)$, for $q = 3, 4$ and $5$, results show that non-linear methods as UMAP and TDA are less dependent on finite size effects, while still being able to distinguish between first and second order phase transitions. This study may be considered as a benchmark for the use of different unsupervised machine learning algorithms in the investigation of phase transitions.Comment: Added computation of critical exponents; exposition improve

Investigating Antifungal Susceptibility in Candida Species With MALDI-TOF MS-Based Assays

Half of invasive fungal infections lead to death. Amongst pathogenic fungi, the most widespread species belong to the Candida genus and vary in their susceptibility to antifungal drugs. The emergence of antifungal resistance has become a major clinical problem. Therefore, the definition of susceptibility patterns is crucial for the survival of patients and the monitoring of resistance epidemiology. Although, most routinely used methods of AntiFungal Susceptibility Testing (AFST) have reached their limits, the rediscovery of Matrix Associated Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in the field of mycology provides a promising alternative for the study of antifungal resistance. MALDI-TOF MS is already used in mycology for fungal identification, which permits to highlight inherent antifungal resistance. However, the main concern of clinicians is the rise of acquired antifungal resistance and the time needed for their detection. For this purpose, MALDI-TOF MS has been shown to be an accurate tool for AFST, presenting numerous advantages in comparison to commonly used techniques. Finally, MALDI-TOF MS could be used directly to detect resistance mechanisms through typing. Consequently, MALDI-TOF MS offers new perspectives in the context of healthcare associated outbreaks of emerging multi-drug resistant fungi, such as C. auris. As a proof of concept, we will illustrate the current and future benefits in using and adapting MALDI-TOF MS-based assays to define the susceptibility pattern of C. auris, by species identification, AFST, and typing

Is there still room to explore cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase-producers in Brazilian biodiversity?

In the present work, different Brazilian biomes aiming to identify and select cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase-producer bacteria are explored. This enzyme is responsible for converting starch to cyclodextrin, which are interesting molecules to carry other substances of economic interest applied by textile, pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. Based on the enzymatic index, 12 bacteria were selected and evaluated, considering their capacity to produce the enzyme in culture media containing different starch sources. It was observed that the highest yields were presented by the bacteria when grown in cornstarch. These bacteria were also characterized by sequencing of the 16S rRNA region and were classified as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Gracilibacillus and Solibacillus.publishersversionpublishe

Agroecologia e justiça ambiental: um diálogo possível

O movimento por justiça ambiental surgiu nos EUA na década de 1970 quando pesquisas revelaram que os resíduos tóxicos eram destinados de forma desproporcional à populações afrodescendentes. A agroecologia, campo de produção científico interdisciplinar, também se consolidou na década de 1970, oriunda da fusão das ciências naturais e sociais, com o propósito de permitir o estilos de agricultura com maiores níveis de sustentabilidade, socialmente justa e economicamente viável. Esse trabalho situa-se no campo da pesquisa teórica, de caráter exploratório sobre as concepções e convergências da área da justiça ambiental e da agroecologia, utilizando-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica com abordagem qualitativa. Ao fortalecer os modos de vida camponeses, a agroecologia tem contribuído na luta por justiça ambiental. Nesse sentido, podemos perceber a relação entre o movimento agroecológico e o movimento por justiça ambiental, dada suas convergências no objetivo de promover a justiça social.The movement for environmental justice emerged in the US in the 1970s when research revealed that toxic waste was allocated proportional to the Afro-descendant populations. Agroecology, interdisciplinary scientific production field, also consolidated in the 1970s, derived from the fusion of natural and social sciences, in order to allow the farming styles with higher levels of sustainability, socially just and economically viable. This work lies in the field of theoretical research, exploratory on the concepts and similarities of the area of environmental justice and agroecology, using a literature research with qualitative approach. By strengthening livelihoods farmers, agroecology has contributed in the struggle for environmental justice. In this sense, we can see the relationship between agro-ecological movement and the movement for environmental justice, given their convergence in order to promote social justice.Eje A6: Desarrollo Rural, Movimientos Sociales, Estado y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Agroecologia e justiça ambiental: um diálogo possível

O movimento por justiça ambiental surgiu nos EUA na década de 1970 quando pesquisas revelaram que os resíduos tóxicos eram destinados de forma desproporcional à populações afrodescendentes. A agroecologia, campo de produção científico interdisciplinar, também se consolidou na década de 1970, oriunda da fusão das ciências naturais e sociais, com o propósito de permitir o estilos de agricultura com maiores níveis de sustentabilidade, socialmente justa e economicamente viável. Esse trabalho situa-se no campo da pesquisa teórica, de caráter exploratório sobre as concepções e convergências da área da justiça ambiental e da agroecologia, utilizando-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica com abordagem qualitativa. Ao fortalecer os modos de vida camponeses, a agroecologia tem contribuído na luta por justiça ambiental. Nesse sentido, podemos perceber a relação entre o movimento agroecológico e o movimento por justiça ambiental, dada suas convergências no objetivo de promover a justiça social.The movement for environmental justice emerged in the US in the 1970s when research revealed that toxic waste was allocated proportional to the Afro-descendant populations. Agroecology, interdisciplinary scientific production field, also consolidated in the 1970s, derived from the fusion of natural and social sciences, in order to allow the farming styles with higher levels of sustainability, socially just and economically viable. This work lies in the field of theoretical research, exploratory on the concepts and similarities of the area of environmental justice and agroecology, using a literature research with qualitative approach. By strengthening livelihoods farmers, agroecology has contributed in the struggle for environmental justice. In this sense, we can see the relationship between agro-ecological movement and the movement for environmental justice, given their convergence in order to promote social justice.Eje A6: Desarrollo Rural, Movimientos Sociales, Estado y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Assessing the Effectiveness of Chemical Marker Extraction from Amazonian Plant Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) by PSI-HRMS/MS and LC-HRMS/MS.

Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the institutional and financial support from the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES) and the Brazilian Research Council (CNPq). Funding This research received no external funding.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

PRODH Polymorphisms, Cortical Volumes and Thickness in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high heritability. Several lines of evidence indicate that the PRODH gene may be related to the disorder. Therefore, our study investigates the effects of 12 polymorphisms of PRODH on schizophrenia and its phenotypes. To further evaluate the roles of the associated variants in the disorder, we have conducted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to assess cortical volumes and thicknesses. A total of 192 patients were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) instruments. the study included 179 controls paired by age and gender. the samples were genotyped using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR and Sanger sequencing methods. A sample of 138 patients and 34 healthy controls underwent MRI scans. One polymorphism was associated with schizophrenia (rs2904552), with the G-allele more frequent in patients than in controls. This polymorphism is likely functional, as predicted by PolyPhen and SIFT, but it was not associated with brain morphology in our study. in summary, we report a functional PRODH variant associated with schizophrenia that may have a neurochemical impact, altering brain function, but is not responsible for the cortical reductions found in the disorder.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Disciplina Genet, Dept Morfol & Genet, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, LiNC, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, São Paulo, BrazilFac Med ABC FMABC, Dept Ginecol & Obstet, Disciplina Genet & Reprod Humana, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Para, Lab Genet Humana & Med, BR-66059 Belem, Para, BrazilUniv Fed ABC, Ctr Math Computat & Cognit, Santo Andre, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Disciplina Genet, Dept Morfol & Genet, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, LiNC, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/50740-5FAPESP: 2007/58736-1Web of Scienc

Evaluation of in vitro Antifungal Activity of Xylosma prockia (Turcz.) Turcz. (Salicaceae) Leaves Against Cryptococcus spp.

Cryptococcus species are responsible for important systemic mycosis and are estimated to cause millions of new cases annually. The available therapy is limited due to the high toxicity and the increasing rates of yeast resistance to antifungal drugs. Popularly known as “sucará,” Xylosma prockia (Turcz.) Turcz. (Salicaceae) is a native plant from Brazil with little information on its pharmacological potential. In this work, we evaluated in vitro anticryptococcal effects of the leaf ethanolic extract of X. prockia and its fractions against Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans. We also evaluated phenotypic alterations caused by ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) (chosen according to its biological results). The liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of EAF demonstrated the presence of phenolic metabolites that belong to three structurally related groups as majority compounds: caffeoylquinic acid, coumaroyl-glucoside, and caffeoyl-glucoside/deoxyhexosyl-caffeoyl glucoside derivatives. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against C. gattii and C. neoformans ranged from 8 to 64 mg/L and from 0.5 to 8 mg/L, for ethanolic extract and EAF, respectively. The EAF triggered an oxidative burst and promoted lipid peroxidation. EAF also induced a reduction of ergosterol content in the pathogen cell membrane. These effects were not associated with alterations in the cell surface charge or in the thermodynamic fingerprint of the molecular interaction between EAF and the yeasts evaluated. Cytotoxic experiments with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) demonstrated that EAF was more selective for yeasts than was PBMCs. The results may provide evidence that X. prockia leaf extract might indeed be a potential source of antifungal agents.Fil: Folly, Mariany L. C.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Ferreira, Gabriella F.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Salvador, Maiara R.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Sathler, Ana A.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: da Silva, Guilherme F.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Santos, Joice Castelo Branco. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: Santos, Julliana R. A. dos. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: Nunes Neto, Wallace Ribeiro. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: Rodrigues, João Francisco Silva. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: Fernandes, Elizabeth Soares. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: da Silva, Luís Cláudio Nascimento. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: de Freitas, Gustavo José Cota. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Denadai, Ângelo M.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; BrasilFil: Rodrigues, Ivanildes V.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Mendonça, Leonardo M.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; BrasilFil: Monteiro, Andrea Souza. Ceuma University; BrasilFil: Santos, Daniel Assis. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Cabrera, Gabriela Myriam. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica; ArgentinaFil: Siless, Gastón Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica; ArgentinaFil: Lang, Karen L.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; Brasi

Social distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic: potential impacts and challenges in Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged researchers and policy makers to identify public safety measures forpreventing the collapse of healthcare systems and reducingdeaths. This narrative review summarizes the available evidence on the impact of social distancing measures on the epidemic and discusses the implementation of these measures in Brazil. Articles on the effect of social distancing on COVID-19 were selected from the PubMed, medRXiv and bioRvix databases. Federal and state legislation was analyzed to summarize the strategies implemented in Brazil. Social distancing measures adopted by the population appear effective, particularly when implemented in conjunction with the isolation of cases and quarantining of contacts. Therefore, social distancing measures, and social protection policies to guarantee the sustainability of these measures, should be implemented. To control COVID-19 in Brazil, it is also crucial that epidemiological monitoring is strengthened at all three levels of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). This includes evaluating and usingsupplementary indicators to monitor the progression of the pandemic and the effect of the control measures, increasing testing capacity, and making disaggregated notificationsand testing resultstransparentand broadly available