Sawtooth waves during REM sleep after administration of haloperidol combined with total sleep deprivation in healthy young subjects

We sought to examine the possible participation of dopaminergic receptors in the phasic events that occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, known as sawtooth waves (STW). These phasic phenomena of REM sleep exhibit a unique morphology and, although they represent a characteristic feature of REM sleep, little is known about the mechanisms which generate them and which are apparently different from rapid eye movements. STW behavior was studied in 10 male volunteers aged 20 to 35 years, who were submitted to polysomnographic monitoring (PSG). On the adaptation night they were submitted to the first PSG and on the second night, to the basal PSG. On the third night the volunteers received placebo or haloperidol and spent the whole night awake. On the fourth night they were submitted to the third PSG. After a 15-day rest period, the volunteers returned to the sleep laboratory and, according to a double-blind crossover randomized design, received haloperidol or placebo and spent the whole night awake, after which they were submitted to the fourth PSG. The volunteers who were given haloperidol combined with sleep deprivation exhibited an elevation of the duration and density of the STW, without significant alterations of the other REM sleep phasic phenomena such as rapid eye movement. These findings suggest that sawtooth waves must have their own generating mechanisms and that the dopaminergic receptors must exert a modulating role since REM sleep deprivation, as well as administration of neuroleptics, produces supersensitivity of dopaminergic receptors.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PsicobiologiaSciEL

A probabilistic method for the operation of three-phase unbalanced active distribution networks

YesThis paper proposes a probabilistic multi-objective optimization method for the operation of three-phase distribution networks incorporating active network management (ANM) schemes including coordinated voltage control and adaptive power factor control. The proposed probabilistic method incorporates detailed modelling of three-phase distribution network components and considers different operational objectives. The method simultaneously minimizes the total energy losses of the lines from the point of view of distribution network operators (DNOs) and maximizes the energy generated by photovoltaic (PV) cells considering ANM schemes and network constraints. Uncertainties related to intermittent generation of PVs and load demands are modelled by probability density functions (PDFs). Monte Carlo simulation method is employed to use the generated PDFs. The problem is solved using ɛ-constraint approach and fuzzy satisfying method is used to select the best solution from the Pareto optimal set. The effectiveness of the proposed probabilistic method is demonstrated with IEEE 13- and 34- bus test feeders

Aspectos microscópicos da interação feijoeiro-Colletotrichum lindemuthianum mediados pelo silício

A antracnose, causada pelo fungo Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, é uma das doenças mais destrutivas que afetam a cultura do feijoeiro. Com o objetivo de encontrar alternativas para o controle dessa doença, o presente trabalho investigou, em nível microscópico, o efeito do silício (Si) na resistência do feijoeiro à infecção por C. lindemuthianum. Plantas de feijoeiro (cv. Pérola) foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva contendo 0 (-Si) ou 2 mM (+Si) de Si e inoculadas no estádio de crescimento V4 com uma suspensão de conídios de C. lindemuthianum. A severidade da antracnose decresceu cerca de 52% nas folhas das plantas supridas com Si (4,4%) em relação às folhas das plantas não supridas (8,5%). Observações de folhas de feijoeiro das plantas não supridas com Si no microscópio eletrônico de varredura revelaram alterações morfológicas nas nervuras em contraste com as folhas de plantas supridas com Si. Utilizando-se a microanálise de raios-X, verificou-se maior concentração dos minerais enxofre, potássio e Si nas folhas das plantas supridas com Si. Em conclusão, o suprimento de Si em plantas de feijoeiro foi importante para reduzir os sintomas da antracnose