Description of an optic spine on the sphenoid bone of camels and dromedaries

Objective To describe the presence of an intraorbital cylindrical osseous structure (a spine) in two animal species: camel (Camelus bactrianus) and dromedary (Camelus dromedaries). A homologous osseous structure was previously observed in the large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus). Procedures The bony anatomy of the orbital cavity was studied and quantified on macerated skulls of 3 camels and 2 dromedaries. Additionally, one macerated skull of a large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) was used for comparative purposes. Results The anatomic description of these unique intraorbital spine was made while studying the bony orbit of macerated skulls, and was considered homologous to that of the bat based on the same anatomic position (at the bone bridge that separates the optic canal and the sphenorbital fissure) and similarities in shape. We suggest the name optic spine of the sphenoid bone. Discussion The novel observation of an optic spine on the sphenoid bone in camels and dromedaries (Artiodactyla), when combined with the previous finding of a similar anatomic structure in a bat (Chiroptera) suborder Microchiroptera, may provide further support to the close proximity of these two apparently very distinct animal orders in the phylogenetic tree, and may contribute to the understanding of bat evolution and provide new directions for future research. The function of this osseous spine remains to be investigated, although we hypothesize that the optic spine of the camelids may serve as an attachment site for extraocular muscles

Description of an optic spine on the sphenoid bone of camels and dromedaries

Objective To describe the presence of an intraorbital cylindrical osseous structure (a spine) in two animal species: camel (Camelus bactrianus) and dromedary (Camelus dromedaries). A homologous osseous structure was previously observed in the large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus). Procedures The bony anatomy of the orbital cavity was studied and quantified on macerated skulls of 3 camels and 2 dromedaries. Additionally, one macerated skull of a large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) was used for comparative purposes. Results The anatomic description of these unique intraorbital spine was made while studying the bony orbit of macerated skulls, and was considered homologous to that of the bat based on the same anatomic position (at the bone bridge that separates the optic canal and the sphenorbital fissure) and similarities in shape. We suggest the name optic spine of the sphenoid bone. Discussion The novel observation of an optic spine on the sphenoid bone in camels and dromedaries (Artiodactyla), when combined with the previous finding of a similar anatomic structure in a bat (Chiroptera) suborder Microchiroptera, may provide further support to the close proximity of these two apparently very distinct animal orders in the phylogenetic tree, and may contribute to the understanding of bat evolution and provide new directions for future research. The function of this osseous spine remains to be investigated, although we hypothesize that the optic spine of the camelids may serve as an attachment site for extraocular muscles

The open superstring 5-point amplitude revisited

We derive the complete five-gluon scattering amplitude at tree level, within the context of Open Superstring theory. We find the general expression in terms of kinematic factors, and also find its complete expansion up to ${\cal O}({\alpha'}^3)$ terms. We use our scattering amplitude to test three non-equivalent ${\cal O}({\alpha'}^3)$ effective lagrangians that have recently been matter of some controversy.Comment: 41 pages. Submitted to JHEP on June 07. Accepted on July 3

Ages and metallicities of stellar clusters using S-PLUS narrow-band integrated photometry: the Small Magellanic Cloud

The Magellanic Clouds are the most massive and closest satellite galaxies of the Milky Way, with stars covering ages from a few Myr up to 13 Gyr. This makes them important for validating integrated light methods to study stellar populations and star-formation processes, which can be applied to more distant galaxies. We characterized a set of stellar clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), using the $\textit{Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey}$. This is the first age (metallicity) determination for 11 (65) clusters of this sample. Through its 7 narrow bands, centered on important spectral features, and 5 broad bands, we can retrieve detailed information about stellar populations. We obtained ages and metallicities for all stellar clusters using the Bayesian spectral energy distribution fitting code $\texttt{BAGPIPES}$. With a sample of clusters in the color range $-0.20 < r-z < +0.35$, for which our determined parameters are most reliable, we modeled the age-metallicity relation of SMC. At any given age, the metallicities of SMC clusters are lower than those of both the Gaia Sausage-Enceladus disrupted dwarf galaxy and the Milky Way. In comparison with literature values, differences are $\Delta$log(age)$\approx0.31$ and $\Delta$[Fe/H]$\approx0.41$, which is comparable to low-resolution spectroscopy of individual stars. Finally, we confirm a previously known gradient, with younger clusters in the center and older ones preferentially located in the outermost regions. On the other hand, we found no evidence of a significant metallicity gradient.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figure

Taking the steps toward sustainable livestock: our multidisciplinary global farm platform journey

International audienc

Maior mortalidade durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em áreas socialmente vulneráveis em Belo Horizonte: implicações para priorização da vacinação

Objective: To assess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic according to social vulnerability by areas of Belo Horizonte (BH), aiming at strategies for vaccination. Methods: Ecological study with mortality analysis, according to census tracts classified by the Health Vulnerability Index, a composite indicator that includes socioeconomic and sanitation variables. Deaths due to natural causes and COVID-19 were obtained from the “Mortality Information System”, between the 10th and 43rd epidemiological weeks (EW) of 2020. Excess mortality was calculated by a time series model, considering observed deaths by EW, between 2015 and 2019, for census tracts. Mortality rates (MR) were calculated and age-standardized =using population estimates from 2010 census. Results: Excess mortality in BH was 16.1% (n =1524): 11.0%, 18.8% and 17.3% in the low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. The differences between observed and expected age-standardized MR by natural causes were equal to 59/100,000 inhabitants in BH, increasing from 31 to 77 and 95/100,000 inhabitants, in the areas of low, intermediate and high vulnerability, respectively. There was an aging gradient in COVID-19 MR, ranging from 4 to 611/100,000 inhabitants among individuals of 20-39 years and 75+ years. The COVID-19 MR per 100,000 elderly (60+ years) was 292 in BH, increasing from 179 to 354 and 476, in the low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. Conclusion: Inequalities in mortality, particularly among the elderly, combined with the limited supply of doses, demonstrate the importance of prioritizing socially vulnerable areas during vaccination against COVID-19.Objetivo: Avaliar a mortalidade por áreas de Belo Horizonte (BH) durante a pandemia de COVID-19 conforme vulnerabilidade social, visando estratégia de vacinação. Métodos: Estudo ecológico com análise de mortalidade, segundo setores censitários classificados pelo Índice de Vulnerabilidade da Saúde, composto por indicadores de saneamento e socioeconômicos. Óbitos por causas naturais e COVID-19 foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade, entre a 10ª e 43ª semana epidemiológica (SE) de 2020. Calculou-se o excesso de mortalidade por modelo de série temporal, considerando as mortes observadas por SE, entre 2015 e 2019, por setor censitário. Taxas de mortalidade (TM) foram calculadas e padronizadas por idade a partir de estimativas populacionais do IBGE. Resultados: Houve 16,1% (n=1524) de excesso de mortalidade em BH: 11,0%, 18,8% e 17,3% nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. As diferenças entre TM observadas e esperadas por causas naturais, padronizadas por idade, foi igual a 59/100.000 habitantes em BH, aumentando de 31 para 77 e 95/100.000, nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Houve gradiente de aumento com a idade nas TM por COVID-19, variando de 4 a 611/100.000 habitantes entre as idades de 20-39 anos e 75+ anos. A TM por COVID-19 por 100.000 idosos (60+ anos) foi igual a 292, aumentando de 179 para 354 e 476, nos setores de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Conclusão: Desigualdades na mortalidade, mesmo entre idosos, aliadas à baixa oferta de doses, demonstram importância de priorizar áreas socialmente vulneráveis durante a vacinação contra COVID-19

A novel single amino acid deletion impairs fibronectin function and causes familial glomerulopathy with fibronectin deposits: case report of a family

Abstract Background Glomerulopathy with fibronectin deposits is an autosomal dominant disease associated with proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension and renal function decline. Forty percent of the cases are caused by mutations in FN1, the gene that encodes fibronectin. Case presentation This report describes two cases of Glomerulopathy with fibronectin deposits, involving a 47-year-old father and a 14-year-old son. The renal biopsies showed glomeruli with endocapillary hypercellularity and large amounts of mesangial and subendothelial eosinophilic deposits. Immunohistochemistry for fibronectin was markedly positive. Whole exome sequencing identified a novel FN1 mutation that leads to an amino-acid deletion in both patients (Ile1988del), a variant that required primary amino-acid sequence analysis for assessment of pathogenicity. Our primary sequence analyses revealed that Ile1988 is very highly conserved among relative sequences and is positioned in a C-terminal FN3 domain containing heparin- and fibulin-1-binding sites. This mutation was predicted as deleterious and molecular mechanics simulations support that it can change the tertiary structure and affect the complex folding and its molecular functionality. Conclusion The current report not only documents the occurrence of two GFND cases in an affected family and deeply characterizes its anatomopathological features but also identifies a novel pathogenic mutation in FN1, analyzes its structural and functional implications, and supports its pathogenicity.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152212/1/12882_2019_Article_1507.pd