Inflationary Cosmology in RS-I

In this work, I intend to show a possible candidate of inflaton potential $V(\phi)$ in a scenario of a brane world defined by a pair of branes (RS-I).Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, 100 years of relativity international conference on classical and quantum aspects of gravity and cosmolog

Behavioral modulation of the coexistence between Apis melifera and Varroa destructor: A defense against colony colapse disorder?

Colony Collapse Disorder has become a global problem for beekeepers and for the crops which depend on bee polination. Multiple factors are known to increase the risk of colony colapse, and the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor that parasitizes honey bees is among the main threats to colony health. Although this mite is unlikely to, by itself, cause the collapse of hives, it plays an important role as it is a vector for many viral diseases. Such diseases are among the likely causes for Colony Collapse Disorder. The effects of V. destructor infestation are disparate in different parts of the world. Greater morbidity - in the form of colony losses - has been reported in colonies of European honey bees (EHB) in Europe, Asia and North America. However, this mite has been present in Brasil for many years and yet there are no reports of Africanized honey bee (AHB) colonies losses. Studies carried out in Mexico showed that some resistance behaviors to the mite - especially grooming and hygienic behavior - appear to be different in each subspecies. Could those difference in behaviors explain why the AHB are less susceptible to Colony Collapse Disorder? In order to answer this question, we propose a mathematical model of the coexistence dynamics of these two species, the bee and the mite, to analyze the role of resistance behaviors in the overall health of the colony, and, as a consequence, its ability to face epidemiological challenges

Environment & Health: perspectives and challenges

The concept of health and environmental health is a historical-conceptual relation with the twentieth century. In this article, environmental health is discussed as a of intersectional and transdisciplinary practices dedicated to the reflections, in human health, of the ecogeossocial relations of man with the environment, aiming well-being, life quality and sustainability, in order to guide public policies formulated using the available knowledge and with social participation and control. In this context, infectious diseases play a key role in the comprehension of environmental health in Brazil and worldwide

Hybrid magnetic systems for the purification of biopharmaceuticals

Monoclonal antibodies are used as therapeutic agents worldwide and have a great market demand. However, the downstream processing of these biopharmaceuticals represents between 50-80% of the total manufacturing costs and therefore new methods which are less expensive but also efficient are needed. The aim of this work was to develop a non-chromatographic method for the purification of antibodies from cell culture supernatants by process integration of two methods, namely aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) and magnetic fishing. The behavior of a new aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) was investigated by varying the NaCl concentration and the molecular weight of a polymer. This study allowed to select the composition of the systems that would be used in the study of the partition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) used as a model contaminant and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Simultaneously, magnetic particles (MNPs) with 2 different coatings were synthesized and assessed for protein binding. One of the particles was selected due to the easier synthesis and the high affinity and selectivity towards human IgG. Furthermore, one system was chosen as the most suitable magnetic aqueous two phase fishing system (MATPFS) to recover IgG. The control studies, which consisted of using separately the ATPE and magnetic fishing to purify IgG from a cell culture supernatant, presented low values of yield and purity when compared with the results obtained by combining these two methods

O processo de cuidar sob a perspectiva da vulnerabilidade

This theoretical article deals with the process of caregiving in the vulnerability perspective, whose condition leads to the need for care. The text analyzes this process, which is characterized by the encounter between the caregiver and the care receiver. The hospitalized patient is an extremely vulnerable being, experiencing something unique. The caregiver plays a very important role in reducing this situation and preserving his or her autonomy and dignity.El presente artículo de naturaleza teórica, aborda el proceso del cuidar bajo la perspectiva de la vulnerabilidad, cuya condición lleva a la necesidad de cuidado. El texto analiza este proceso, que tiene como característica la conjunción entre el ser que cuida y el ser cuidado. El paciente hospitalizado es un ser bastante vulnerable que pasa por una experiencia singular. Por otro lado, la cuidadora tiene un rol fundamental para reducir esta situación y mantener su autonomía y dignidad.O presente artigo, de natureza teórica, trata do processo de cuidar sob a perspectiva da vulnerabilidade, cuja condição leva à necessidade do cuidado. O texto analisa esse processo, o qual se caracteriza pelo encontro entre o ser que cuida e o ser cuidado. O paciente hospitalizado é um ser extremamente vulnerável que vivencia experiência ímpar e a cuidadora exerce papel fundamental no sentido de reduzir essa situação e manter sua autonomia e dignidade

Patrimônio geomorfológico e paisagem como base para o geoturismo e o desenvolvimento local sustentável

Este artigo discute, a partir de exemplos do Brasil e de Portugal, a importância de consideramos o patrimônio geomorfológico da paisagem como um objeto de pesquisa para a geoconservação, devido à integração dos aspectos naturais e culturais refletidos no sistema da paisagem. A percepção da paisagem permite a valoração da mesma, a qual pode ser de natureza científico-educacional, cultural, funcional ou econômica. A maior parte das paisagens assume mais do que uma categoria de valor, e pode se modificar em função do lugar, da cultura e ao longo do tempo. Alguns conceitos envolvidos na geoconservação são discutidos, como o de geossítio e geomonumento e, por fim, apresentamos a exploração da paisagem por meio do geoturismo, como um caminho para construir um desenvolvimento local sustentável nos territórios que detêm um rico patrimônio natural.This paper discusses, from examples of Brazil and Portugal, the importance of considering the geomorphological heritage of landscape as an object of research to geoconservation due to integration of natural and cultural aspects which are reflected in the landscape system. The perception of the landscape confers a value to it, which can be of different natures like scientific-educational, cultural, functional, and economic. Most of the landscapes have more than one value category, and these values may differ depending on the place, on the culture and over time. Some concepts involved in geoconservation are discussed, as geosites and geomonuments, and finally, the exploitation of the landscape through geotourism is introduced as a way to build a sustainable local development in territories with a rich natural heritage.En este artículo se analiza, a partir de ejemplos de Brasil y Portugal, la importancia de considerar el patrimonio geomorfológico del paisaje como un objetivo de pesquisa para la geoconservación debido a la integración de los aspectos naturales y culturales que se reflejan en el sistema del paisaje. La percepción del paisaje permite la valoración de la misma, que puede ser a la vez científica-educativa, cultural, funcional o económica. La mayor parte de los paisajes asumen más que una categoría de valor, que a lo largo pueden ser modificados, dependiendo del lugar y de la cultura. Algunos conceptos relacionados con la geoconservación se discuten, como geositio y geomonumento y por fin, presentamos la exploración del paisaje a través de geoturismo como una manera de construir un desarrollo local sostenible en los territorios que detienen un rico patrimonio natural

Insights into Alzheimer disease pathogenesis from studies in transgenic animal models

Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly, accounting for ∼60-70% of all cases of dementia. The neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer disease are senile plaques (mainly containing β-amyloid peptide derived from amyloid precursor protein) and neurofibrillary tangles (containing hyperphosphorylated Tau protein), along with neuronal loss. At present there is no effective treatment for Alzheimer disease. Given the prevalence and poor prognosis of the disease, the development of animal models has been a research priority to understand pathogenic mechanisms and to test therapeutic strategies. Most cases of Alzheimer disease occur sporadically in people over 65 years old, and are not genetically inherited. Roughly 5% of patients with Alzheimer disease have familial Alzheimer disease—that is, related to a genetic predisposition, including mutations in the amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 genes. The discovery of genes for familial Alzheimer disease has allowed transgenic models to be generated through the overexpression of the amyloid precursor protein and/or presenilins harboring one or several mutations found in familial Alzheimer disease. Although none of these models fully replicates the human disease, they have provided valuable insights into disease mechanisms as well as opportunities to test therapeutic approaches. This review describes the main transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease which have been adopted in Alzheimer disease research, and discusses the insights into Alzheimer disease pathogenesis from studies in such models. In summary, the Alzheimer disease mouse models have been the key to understanding the roles of soluble β-amyloid oligomers in disease pathogenesis, as well as of the relationship between β-amyloid and Tau pathologies

Editorial Dossier Brazilian Symposium on Computer Music

Editorial for the Dossier “18th Brazilian Symposium on Computer Music”

Evaluation of three different approximations for the solution of the direct problem on electrical impedance tomography

Neste trabalho foram comparadas 3 diferentes soluções para o problema direto da tomografia de impedância elétrica utilizando o método das diferenças finitas. Nesta técnica são posicionados elétrodos no contorno/fronteira de um volume a ser estudado e, em 2 deles, são injetados padrões de correntes e, nos elétrodos restantes, realizadas medidas do potencial elétrico. A inversão numérica dos dados permite a reconstrução do domínio analisado. Duas novas aproximações são propostas para o problema direto e comparações são realizadas a partir de resultados disponíveis na literatura. Com o estudo aqui realizado, para uma das aproximações propostas foi observada uma melhora significativa da acurácia comparada aos resultados obtidos com a aproximação da literatura.The present study compares three different solutions for the direct problem of Electrical Impedance Tomography using the finite difference method. In this technique, electrodes are positioned on the boundary of a volume to be studied, and in two of them current patterns are injected and measurements of electrical potential are made in the remaining electrodes. The numerical inversion of the data allows reconstruction of the analyzed domain. Two new approximations are proposed for the direct problem and comparisons are performed based on results available in the literature. In the study performed here, in one of the proposed approximations it was observed a significant improvement in accuracy compared to results obtained with the approximations in the literature.Peer Reviewe

A polícia penal do Rio Grande do Norte: três analisadores para pensar subjetividade e trabalho em prisões

Criminal police officers make up a work group that is quite susceptible to physical and psychological illness, which has already been widely reported in the national and international literature. In addition to health issues, specific subjectivation processes mark these workers, from their training to their daily life in prison. Thus, this article aims to map the processes of subjectivation existing in the work of the criminal police in Rio Grande do Norte. Based on the use of cartography and institutional analysis, observations of the work routine, semi-structured interviews with 26 criminal police officers, and ten conversation circles (encompassing approximately 120 subjects) were carried out. The results bring to light some analyzers who point to a process of militarization from the formation of the category to the present day, producing a certain subjective stultification, in addition to an attitude more prone to violation of rights. Another important data concerns the lack of mental health care by the category, even when this type of service/assistance is offered, which suggests the construction of a professional profile that is de-empowered and sick.Os policiais penais compõem um grupo laboral bastante suscetível ao adoecimento físico e psíquico, já bastante relatado na literatura nacional e internacional. Para além das questões de saúde, processos de subjetivação específicos marcam esses trabalhadores, desde sua formação até o dia a dia na prisão. Assim, esse artigo tem por objetivo mapear os processos de subjetivação existentes no trabalho do policial penal do Rio Grande do Norte. A partir do uso da cartografia e da análise institucional, foram realizadas observações da rotina de trabalho, entrevistas semiestruturadas com 26 policiais penais, e dez rodas de conversa (abarcando aproximadamente 120 sujeitos). Os resultados trazem à tona alguns analisadores que apontam para um processo de militarização desde a formação da categoria até os dias de hoje, produzindo um certo embrutecimento subjetivo, além de uma postura mais propensa a violação de direitos. Outro dado importante diz respeito à ausência de cuidados em saúde mental por parte da categoria, mesmo quando esse tipo de serviço/auxílio é ofertado, o que sugere a construção de um perfil profissional despotencializado e adoecido