On the primacy and irreducible nature of first-person versus third-person information

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Biological dosimetry of ionizing radiation: Evaluation of the dose with cytogenetic methodologies by the construction of calibration curves

In case of a radiation accident, it is well known that in the absence of physical dosimetry biological dosimetry based on cytogenetic methods is a unique tool to estimate individual absorbed dose. Moreover, even when physical dosimetry indicates an overexposure, scoring chromosome aberrations (dicentrics and rings) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) at metaphase is presently the most widely used method to confirm dose assessment. The analysis of dicentrics and rings in PBLs after Giemsa staining of metaphase cells is considered the most valid assay for radiation injury. This work shows that applying the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, using telomeric/centromeric peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes in metaphase chromosomes for radiation dosimetry, could become a fast scoring, reliable and precise method for biological dosimetry after accidental radiation exposures. In both in vitro methods described above, lymphocyte stimulation is needed, and this limits the application in radiation emergency medicine where speed is considered to be a high priority. Using premature chromosome condensation (PCC), irradiated human PBLs (non-stimulated) were fused with mitotic CHO cells, and the yield of excess PCC fragments in Giemsa stained cells was scored. To score dicentrics and rings under PCC conditions, the necessary centromere and telomere detection of the chromosomes was obtained using FISH and specific PNA probes. Of course, a prerequisite for dose assessment in all cases is a dose-effect calibration curve. This work illustrates the various methods used; dose response calibration curves, with 95% confidence limits used to estimate dose uncertainties, have been constructed for conventional metaphase analysis and FISH. We also compare the dose-response curve constructed after scoring of dicentrics and rings using PCC combined with FISH and PNA probes. Also reported are dose response curves showing scored dicentrics and rings per cell, combining PCC of lymphocytes and CHO cells with FISH using PNA probes after 10 h and 24 h after irradiation, and, finally, calibration data of excess PCC fragments (Giemsa) to be used if human blood is available immediately after irradiation or within 24 h

The intrinsic dimension of protein sequence evolution

It is well known that, in order to preserve its structure and function, a protein cannot change its sequence at random, but only by mutations occurring preferentially at specific locations. We here investigate quantitatively the amount of variability that is allowed in protein sequence evolution, by computing the intrinsic dimension (ID) of the sequences belonging to a selection of protein families. The ID is a measure of the number of independent directions that evolution can take starting from a given sequence. We find that the ID is practically constant for sequences belonging to the same family, and moreover it is very similar in different families, with values ranging between 6 and 12. These values are significantly smaller than the raw number of amino acids, confirming the importance of correlations between mutations in different sites. However, we demonstrate that correlations are not sufficient to explain the small value of the ID we observe in protein families. Indeed, we show that the ID of a set of protein sequences generated by maximum entropy models, an approach in which correlations are accounted for, is typically significantly larger than the value observed in natural protein families. We further prove that a critical factor to reproduce the natural ID is to take into consideration the phylogeny of sequences

Data segmentation based on the local intrinsic dimension

One of the founding paradigms of machine learning is that a small number of variables is often sufficient to describe high-dimensional data. The minimum number of variables required is called the intrinsic dimension (ID) of the data. Contrary to common intuition, there are cases where the ID varies within the same data set. This fact has been highlighted in technical discussions, but seldom exploited to analyze large data sets and obtain insight into their structure. Here we develop a robust approach to discriminate regions with different local IDs and segment the points accordingly. Our approach is computationally efficient and can be proficiently used even on large data sets. We find that many real-world data sets contain regions with widely heterogeneous dimensions. These regions host points differing in core properties: folded versus unfolded configurations in a protein molecular dynamics trajectory, active versus non-active regions in brain imaging data, and firms with different financial risk in company balance sheets. A simple topological feature, the local ID, is thus sufficient to achieve an unsupervised segmentation of high-dimensional data, complementary to the one given by clustering algorithms

Hybrid modeling of a biorefinery separation process to monitor short-term and long-term membrane fouling

Membrane filtration is commonly used in biorefineries to separate cells from fermentation broths containing the desired products. However, membrane fouling can cause short-term process disruption and long-term membrane degradation. The evolution of membrane resistance over time can be monitored to track fouling, but this calls for adequate sensors in the plant. This requirement might not be fulfilled even in modern biorefineries, especially when multiple, tightly interconnected membrane modules are used. Therefore, characterization of fouling in industrial facilities remains a challenge. In this study, we propose a hybrid modeling strategy to characterize both reversible and irreversible fouling in multi-module biorefinery membrane separation systems. We couple a linear data-driven model, to provide high-frequency estimates of trans-membrane pressures from the available measurements, with a simple nonlinear knowledge-driven model, to compute the resistances of the individual membrane modules. We test the proposed strategy using real data from the world's first industrial biorefinery manufacturing 1,4-bio-butanediol via fermentation of renewable raw materials. We show how monitoring of individual resistances, even when done by simple visual inspection, offers valuable insight on the reversible and irreversible fouling state of the membranes. We also discuss the advantage of the proposed approach, over monitoring trans-membrane pressures and permeate fluxes, from the standpoints of data variability, effect of process changes, interaction between module in multi-module systems, and fouling dynamics

Alterações na legislação de regularização fundiária à luz do princípio da função social : análise da lei nº 13.465/2017

Orientador : Profa. Dra. Katya Regina Isaguirre TorresMonografia (graduação) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Jurídicas, Curso de Graduação em DireitoInclui referênciasResumo : O presente estudo se propõe a analisar, à luz do princípio da função social da terra, as alterações trazidas pela Lei de Regularização Fundiária nº 13.465/2017, principalmente no que tange às modificações na lei nº 8.629/1993, que dispõe sobre a Política Nacional de Reforma Agrária, e os possíveis efeitos destas mudanças. A análise da lei e seus efeitos é de suma importância, pois a mesma traz expressivas alterações na questão agrária atual, e também no campo do direito, refletindo determinados interesses e pondo em risco os mecanismos que asseguram o cumprimento da Função Social da Terra.Resumen: El presente estudio tiene la intención de analizar, a la luz del principio de la función social de la tierra, los cambios introducidos por la Ley de Regularización de Tierras nº 13.465/2017, especialmente con respecto a los cambios en la ley nº 8.629/1993, que establece la Política Nacional de Reforma Agraria, y los posibles efectos de estos cambios. El análisis de la ley y sus efectos es extremadamente importante porque trae cambios significativos en el tema agrario actual, y también en el campo del derecho, que refleja ciertos intereses y pone en peligro los mecanismos que aseguran el cumplimiento de la función social de la tierra

Análise da biomassa em pastagens com indicativos de degradação na bacia do Alto Tocantins.

Resumo: O presente estudo objetivou aplicar o Surface Algorithm For Retrieving Evapotranspiration (SAFER) e imagens MODIS, juntamente com medições de campo, para analisar a biomassa de acordo com classes indicativas de degradação das pastagens na Bacia Hidrográfica do Alto Tocantins. Para o ano de 2012 observou-se que as classes não degradado e baixa degradação tiveram valores de biomassa muito próximos, com média em torno de 1550 kg ha-1 mês-1. Para as classes de degradação moderada e forte a biomassa média foi de 1400 e 965 kg ha-1 mês-1, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam perda significativa do potencial de produção das áreas de pastagens. Abstract: This study aimed to apply the Surface Algorithm For Retrieving Evapotranspiration (SAFER) and MODIS images together with field measurements in order to analyze the biomass in each class with indicatives of degradation of pastures in the Watershed Alto Tocantins. For the year 2012 it was observed that biomass in the low degradation class was very close to the values found for pasture areas of nondegraded class, with average value around 1,550 kg ha-1 month-1. For the classes of moderate and strong degradation the average biomass was 1,400 and 965 kg ha-1 month- 1, respectively. These results indicate significant loss of potential production of pasture areas

Reduced levels of circulating progenitor cells in juvenile idiopathic arthritis are counteracted by anti TNF-α therapy

Abstract Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) promote angiogenesis and vascular repair. Though reduced EPC levels have been shown in rheumatoid arthritis, no study has so far evaluated EPCs in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We aimed to study circulating EPCs in children with JIA, their relation to disease activity, and effects of anti TNF-α treatment. Methods: Circulating EPCs were quantified by flow cytometry based on CD34, CD133 and KDR expression in peripheral blood of 22 patients with oligoarticular JIA and 29 age-matched controls. EPCs were re-assessed in children with methotrexate-resistant oligo-extended JIA before and up to 12 month after initiation of anti-TNF-alpha therapy. Plasma concentrations of inflammatory and EPC-regulating factors were measured using a multiplex array. Confocal immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate EPCs in synovial tissues. Results: Children with active JIA showed a significant reduction of relative and absolute counts of circulating progenitor cells and EPCs compared to age-matched healthy controls. CD34+ cell levels were modestly and inversely correlated to disease activity. A strong inverse correlation was found between serum TNF-α and EPC levels. In 8 patients treated with anti TNF-α agents, the number of EPCs rose to values similar to healthy controls. CD34+KDR+ EPCs were found in the synovial tissue of JIA children, but not in control. Conclusions: Children with JIA have reduced levels of the vasculoprotective and proangiogenic EPCs. While EPCs may contribute to synovial tissue remodelling, EPC pauperization may indicate an excess cardiovascular risk if projected later in life

Estabilidad oxidativa de aceites de soja y maíz enriquecidos con extracto hidroalcohólico de Pluchea quitoc

Soybean and corn oils are among the most popular vegetable oils, and are ingredients which are widely used in cooking and in the food industry. These oils contain many unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids, which makes them easily oxidized by oxygen. Extensive efforts are being made to prevent or minimize vegetable oil oxidation through the development of antioxidants. Phenolic antioxidants which are present in some extracts can be used as food additives to prevent lipid oxidation. In this study chromatographic analyses (HPLC and GC) of the Pluchea quitoc hydroalcoholic extract were performed. The content of phenolic compounds by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and the antioxidant properties against radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) were also evaluated. The effect of samples prepared with soybean and corn oils enriched with Pluchea quitoc hydroalcoholic extract was determined and compared with samples of these oils which were free of antioxidants and with samples containing the synthetic antioxidant BHT. The results showed potential for application of the extract. A high content of phenolic compounds (314 milligrams of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of extract) and good IC50 values were detected for the inhibition of the radicals DPPH and ABTS (13.2 µg·mL-1 and 5.6 µg·mL-1). In the evaluation of the oxidative stability of the oils enriched with this extract, it was found that at 1% concentration it was possible to obtain values of induction period (IP) close to the samples with added BHT.Los aceites de soja y maíz se encuentran entre los aceites vegetales más populares, ingredientes ampliamente utilizados en la cocina y también en la industria alimentaria. Estos aceites contienen muchos ácidos grasos insaturados como los ácidos oleico, linoleico y linolénico que se oxidan fácilmente con el oxígeno. Se están realizando grandes esfuerzos para prevenir o minimizar la oxidación de los aceites vegetales mediante el desarrollo de antioxidantes. Los antioxidantes fenólicos presentes en algunos extractos se pueden utilizar como aditivos alimentarios para prevenir la oxidación de lípidos. En este estudio se realizó la obtención y análisis cromatográficos (HPLC y GC) del extracto hidroalcohólico de Pluchea quitoc. El contenido de compuestos fenólicos se evaluó por el método de Folin-Ciocalteau y las propiedades antioxidantes frente a radicales DPPH y ABTS. Se determinó el efecto de muestras preparadas con aceites de soja y maíz enriquecidas con extracto hidroalcohólico de Pluchea quitoc y se comparó con muestras de estos aceites libres de antioxidantes y con el antioxidante sintético BHT. Los resultados mostraron potencial para la aplicación del extracto. Se detectó un alto contenido de compuestos fenólicos (314 mg GAE) y buenos valores de IC50 para la inhibición de los radicales DPPH y ABTS (13.2 µg·mL-1 y 5.6 µg·mL-1). En la evaluación de la estabilidad oxidativa de los aceites enriquecidos con este extracto, se encontró que para la concentración del 1% es posible obtener valores de período de inducción (IP) cercanos a las muestras adicionadas con BHT