Molecular detection of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Babesia species in Ixodes ricinus sampled in northeastern, central, and insular areas of Italy.

The aim of the present study was to provide insight into the diversity of tick-borne pathogens circulating in Italy, carried/transmitted by Ixodes ricinus, one of the most abundant tick species in the country. A total of 447 specimens sampled in five areas of northeastern, central and insular Italy were analysed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for the presence of rickettsiae, borreliae and babesiae. Several rickettsial species of the spotted fever group of zoonotic concern and other zoonotic pathogens were found, such as Borrelia burgdorferi s.s., Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, and Babesia venatorum. These findings confirm a wide distribution of tick-borne bacterial and protozoan species in Italy, and highlight the sanitary importance of I. ricinus, often recorded as feeding on humans

POSSIBLE ASTRONOMICAL MEANINGS OF SOME EL MOLLE RELICS NEAR THE ESO OBSERVATORY AT LA SILLA

Abstact: This paper describes a peculiar, man-made circular stone structure, associated with the ancient rock engravings that are around the site of La Silla in Chile close to the European Southern Observatory, and are attributed to the El Molle Culture. Three stones of the circle, different from all the others, were likely to pinpoint the alignment of three bright stars close to the horizon, as seen from a specific vantage point inside the structure. The El Molle was the only period in which this alignment occurred significantly close to the horizon, moreover it was only in this epoch that it could also be associated with the transition from the warm to the cold season, a period of the year which was quite important for a society that supported itself by herding and farming

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC CORRECTION ON ORBITAL IMAGES FOR STUDIES IN INTERIOR WATER BODIES

The water reservoirs, in addition to their significance in electricity generation, serve as vital resources for various other requirements of the population. Images from orbital sensors have been applied to complement the monitoring of these environments and thus overcome the deficiency of spatial and temporal coverage of traditional techniques. However, studies involving water quality are still a great challenge due to the low signal coming from the water body and the interference of external factors (or environmental factors). Image correction/improvement procedures are often proposed, mainly to reduce atmospheric interference. In this study the best available atmospheric correction techniques were evaluated in order to indicate the technique that most closely matches the spectral response of remotely sensed images obtained in the field. During the study six atmospheric correction algorithms were applied (FLAASH, Second simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S), L8SR, Aquatic Reflectance (NASA/USGS), ACOLITE and Sen2Cor) that, based on the statistical analysis of discriminant analysis and covariance, indicated the 6S for Landsat and Sentinel images and ACOLITE for Landsat images as the most accurate. Although 6S showed a response close to the reference data, low variability in spectral response was observed. For time series, ACOLITE showed better capacity to correct the data. The type of application is also a preponderant factor, since it was evident that the use of time series indicated a different atmospheric correction technique when compared to the analysis of the scenes individually

Only Hope remains in the PANDORA\u27s .jar - Pervasive use of planning in a training environment

This paper shortly introduces features of a software system called PANDORA-BOX. It shows a novel use of timeline-based planning as the core element in a dynamic training environment for crisis managers. A trainer is provided with a combination of planning and execution functionalities that allow him to maintain and adapt a "lesson plan" as the basis for the interaction between him and the involved trainees. The training session is based on the concept of Scenario, a set of events and connected possibilities that shape an abstract plan proposed to trainees through a timeline-based system. The PANDORA architecture provides a continuous reactive loop around trainees, and, additionally allows the trainer to directly intervene in the ongoing session giving him a complete, general and advanced view about the evolution of the Scenario

F-ATPase ofDrosophila melanogasterForms 53-Picosiemen (53-pS) Channels Responsible for Mitochondrial Ca2+-induced Ca2+Release

Mitochondria of Drosophila melanogaster undergo Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release through a putative channel (mCrC) that has several regulatory features of the permeability transition pore (PTP). The PTP is an inner membrane channel that forms from F-ATPase, possessing a conductance of 500 picosiemens (pS) in mammals and of 300 pS in yeast. In contrast to the PTP, the mCrC of Drosophila is not permeable to sucrose and appears to be selective for Ca2+ and H+. We show (i) that like the PTP, the mCrC is affected by the sense of rotation of F-ATPase, by Bz-423, and by Mg2+/ADP; (ii) that expression of human cyclophilin D in mitochondria of Drosophila S2R+ cells sensitizes the mCrC to Ca2+ but does not increase its apparent size; and (iii) that purified dimers of D. melanogaster F-ATPase reconstituted into lipid bilayers form 53-pS channels activated by Ca2+ and thiol oxidants and inhibited byMg(2+)/gamma-imino ATP. These findings indicate that the mCrC is the PTP of D. melanogaster and that the signature conductance of F-ATPase channels depends on unique structural features that may underscore specific roles in different species

EFEITOS DA CORREÇÃO ATMOSFÉRICA EM IMAGENS MULTIESPECTRAIS ORBITAIS PARA ESTUDOS EM CORPOS D’ÁGUA INTERIORES

Os reservatórios hídricos além de serem importantes para a produção de energia elétrica, são recursos para outras necessidades da população. Imagens de sensores orbitais são aplicadas para complementar o monitoramento desses ambientes e assim suprir a deficiência  de cobertura espacial e temporal das técnicas tradicionais. No entanto estudos envolvendo análises volumétricas de corpos d’água ainda são um grande desafio devido  ao baixo sinal proveniente do corpo d’água e a interferência de fatores externos (ou fatores ambientais). Procedimentos de correção/melhoramento das imagens são propostos com frequencia, principalmente  para a redução da interferencia atmosférica. Nesse estudo foram avaliadas as melhores técnicas de correção atmosférica disponíveis comercialmente no intuito de indicar aquela técnica que mais se aproxima da resposta espectral de sensoriamento remoto obtida em campo (referência). No decorrer do estudo foram aplicados seis algoritmos de correção atmosférica (FLAASH, Second simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S), L8SR, Aquatic Reflectance (USGS), ACOLITE e Sen2Cor) que, a partir das análises estatísticas de análise discriminante e covariância apontaram os aplicativos 6S para imagens Landsat e Sentinel e o Acolite para imagens Landsat como os mais acurados. Embora o 6S tenha apresentado resposta próxima dos dados de referencia, observou-se baixa variabilidade na resposta espectral. Para séries temporais, o Acolite apresentou maior capacidade de correção dos dados. O tipo de aplicação também é um fator preponderante, pois ficou evidente que o uso de series temporais indicou uma técnica de correção atmosférica diferente quando comparado com a análise das cenas de forma individual

YouTube Edu Platform: a look from the Pedagogical Recommendation

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma avaliação da recomendação pedagógica da plataforma de vídeos YouTube Edu, que indica vídeos educacionais ao usuário de acordo com o seu perfil. Utilizou-se como metodologia a pesquisa quantitativa, a coleta dos dados foi realizada com professores da educação infantil, ensino médio e superior. A análise descritiva dos resultados evidenciou que, a maioria dos professores considera os vídeos adequados e de boa qualidade, porém não usariam o material em suas disciplinas. As conclusões apontam inconsistências no modelo de recomendação, tendo em vista que, apesar de ser uma plataforma com uma proposta pedagógica, a filtragem de vídeos para reprodução automática de acordo com o perfil do usuário, reporta à plataforma genérica (YouTube), cujo conteúdo não se relaciona à educação. Além disso, os professores consideram que os vídeos não trazem contribuições significativas e por este motivo não se sentiram motivados a se engajarem no canal.This article aims to present the evaluation of the pedagogical recommendation of the YouTube Edu video platform, which indicates educational videos to the user according to their profile. The methodology used was the quantitative research, from the evaluation of the pedagogical recommendation of teachers of elementary school, high school and higher education. The descriptive analysis of the results showed that most teachers consider the videos appropriate and of good quality, but would not use the material in their subjects. The conclusions point to inconsistencies in the recommendation model, considering that, despite being a platform with a pedagogical proposal, the filtering of videos for automatic playback according to the user's profile, reports to the generic platform (YouTube), whose content is not related to education. In addition, teachers consider that the videos do not bring significant contributions and for this reason did not feel motivated to engage in the channel.Facultad de Informátic

Imbalance of Neutrophils and Lymphocyte Counts Can Be Predictive of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurrence in Hepatitis C-related Cirrhosis Treated With Direct-acting Antivirals

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