Aging effect on the integrity of the traditional portuguese timber roof structures

Traditional buildings basically include natural and autochthonous construction materials and are built with sustainable construction techniques. The knowledge of these materials’s state and construction techniques is required for a proper conservation/renovation work. It is well known that the lack of maintenance is one of the main causes that contribute to the high degree of degradation that the Portuguese traditional buildings unfortunately have. That degradation may even compromise the overall structural integrity of the building thus reducing its lifetime`s expectation. Meanwhile, a partial or even full demolition of a building is still an often occurrence in the Portuguese context. From a sustainable and building heritage perspectives that practise may be inadequate. Taking into account that generally the degradation problems are linked with roof`s leaking anomalies and that the structural components of the roof tend to be the first ones to be affected, this timber structural roof components of Portuguese dwellings were the object of the research work here presented

Stabilized vortex solitons in layered Kerr media

In this letter we demonstrate the possibility of stabilizing beams with angular momentum propagating in Kerr media. Large propagation distances without filamentation can be achieved in layered media with alternating focusing and defocusing nonlinearities. Stronger stabilization can be obtained with the addition of an incoherent beam.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. We have removed the sentence "Thus, they erroneously point out to the existence of fully stabilized vortex solitons" in page 2, column 2, line 7-8, because it might be confusin

MALDI imaging mass spectrometry of fresh water cyanobacteria: spatial distribution of toxins and other metabolites

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Cyanobacteria are among the most ancient forms of life, yet they are known to synthesize highly sophisticated defense molecules, such as the highly hepatotoxic cyclic peptides microcystins and nodularins produced by the genera Microcystis, Anabaena and Nodularia. These metabolites are released by cyanobacteria to water environments causing episodes of fatalities among animals and humans. To better understand the releasing of these metabolites, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) was herein applied to determine the spatial distribution of such toxins directly on agar-based cultures. Other key metabolites such as aeruginosin 602 and the siderophore anachelin were also mapped in mixed cyanobacterial cultures, showing the great potential of IMS to spatially monitor the biochemical details of cyanobacterial defense and interactions.Cyanobacteria are among the most ancient forms of life, yet they are known to synthesize highly sophisticated defense molecules, such as the highly hepatotoxic cyclic peptides microcystins and nodularins produced by the genera Microcystis, Anabaena and No284521528FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)sem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçã

A Spitzer Study of Comets 2P/Encke, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT)

We present infrared images and spectra of comets 2P/Encke, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) as part of a larger program to observe comets inside of 5 AU from the sun with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The nucleus of comet 2P/Encke was observed at two vastly different phase angles (20 degrees and 63 degrees). Model fits to the spectral energy distributions of the nucleus suggest comet Encke's infrared beaming parameter derived from the near-Earth asteroid thermal model may have a phase angle dependence. The observed emission from comet Encke's dust coma is best-modeled using predominately amorphous carbon grains with a grain size distribution that peaks near 0.4 microns, and the silicate contribution by mass to the sub-micron dust coma is constrained to 31%. Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was observed with distinct coma emission in excess of a model nucleus at a heliocentric distance of 5.0 AU. The coma detection suggests that sublimation processes are still active or grains from recent activity remain near the nucleus. Comet C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) showed evidence for crystalline silicates in the spectrum obtained at 3.2 AU and we derive a silicate-to-carbon dust ratio of 0.6. The ratio is an order of magnitude lower than that derived for comets 9P/Tempel 1 during the Deep Impact encounter and C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp).Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal 48 pages, 15 figures, 10 table

Production and partial characterization of an exopolysaccharide from Ustilago maydis in submerged culture

In Mexico, corn is widely cultivated and frequently parasitized by Ustilago maydis, a basidiomycete dimorphic fungus that causes the disease known as corn smut. It is widely consumed and is considered a culinary delight. From a biotechnological perspective, U. maydis offers the possibility as a producer of various metabolites, such as laccase and tyrosinase enzymes, glycolipids, and indole derivatives that can be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food, due to its safety. The exopolysaccharides (EPS) are extracellular sugar compounds synthesized by a variety of microorganism and have shown various properties and applications. Among them are the improved rheology, texture, stability and mouthfeel of fermented dairy products. In addition, these compounds have shown biological activity as an antitumor agent, immune-stimulating and reducing blood cholesterol. The production of EPS by U. maydis was studied by culturing the cells in yeast extractpeptone- dextrose (YPD), YPD supplemented with CuSO4 (YPDT), Czapek Dox-sucrose, Czapek Doxglucose, Czapeck Dox culture media with corn steep liquor and in another media containing high oil oleic sunflower as the sole carbon source. The presence of activity of glycosyltransferase by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophresis (SDS-PAGE) was detected as well as the polymers formed by dinitrosaliscilic acid (DNS). The products of fermentation were characterized by enzymatic hydrolysis using carbohydrases, gel permation chromatography and atomic force microscopy.Key words: Ustilago maydis, glucans, polymerization, glycosyltransferase, exopolysaccharide

4-Deoxyphorbol inhibits HIV-1 infection in synergism with antiretroviral drugs and reactivates viral reservoirs through PKC/MEK activation synergizing with vorinostat.

Latent HIV reservoirs are the main obstacle to eradicate HIV infection. One strategy proposes to eliminate these viral reservoirs by pharmacologically reactivating the latently infected T cells. We show here that a 4-deoxyphorbol ester derivative isolated from Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. semiperfoliata, 4β-dPE A, reactivates HIV-1 from latency and could potentially contribute to decrease the viral reservoir. 4β-dPE A shows two effects in the HIV replication cycle, infection inhibition and HIV transactivation, similarly to other phorboids PKC agonists such PMA and prostratin and to other diterpene esters such SJ23B. Our data suggest 4β-dPE A is non-tumorigenic, unlike the related compound PMA. As the compounds are highly similar, the lack of tumorigenicity by 4β-dPE A could be due to the lack of a long side lipophilic chain that is present in PMA. 4β-dPE activates HIV transcription at nanomolar concentrations, lower than the concentration needed by other latency reversing agents (LRAs) such as prostratin and similar to bryostatin. PKCθ/MEK activation is required for the transcriptional activity, and thus, anti-latency activity of 4β-dPE A. However, CD4, CXCR4 and CCR5 receptors down-regulation effect seems to be independent of PCK/MEK, suggesting the existence of at least two different targets for 4β-dPE A. Furthermore, NF-κb transcription factor is involved in 4β-dPE HIV reactivation, as previously shown for other PKCs agonists. We also studied the effects of 4β-dPE A in combination with other LRAs. When 4β-dPE A was combined with another PKC agonists such as prostratin an antagonic effect was achieved, while, when combined with an HDAC inhibitor such as vorinostat, a strong synergistic effect was obtained. Interestingly, the latency reversing effect of the combination was synergistically diminishing the EC50 value but also increasing the efficacy showed by the drugs alone. In addition, combinations of 4β-dPE A with antiretroviral drugs as CCR5 antagonist, NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs, showed a consistent synergistic effect, suggesting that the combination would not interefer with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Finally, 4β-dPE A induced latent HIV reactivation in CD4 + T cells of infected patients under ART at similar levels than the tumorigenic phorbol derivative PMA, showing a clear reactivation effect. In summary, we describe here the mechanism of action of a new potent deoxyphorbol derivative as a latency reversing agent candidate to decrease the size of HIV reservoirs.This work was supported by Ministry of Education of the Peruvian government (PRONABEC), the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM-Santander PR87/19), the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII-FIS PI16CIII/00034) and the Spanish AIDS Research Network RD12/0017/0015 that is included in the Spanish I D I Plan and is co-financed by ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación and European Funding for Regional Development (FEDER). This work has also benefited from an “Investissement d’Avenir” grant managed by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (CEBA, ANR- 10-LABX-25-01).S

Effect of crude protein levels and organic selenium supplementation in the diets fed during the breeding season on reproductive parameters of red-winged tinamous (Rhynchotus rufescens)

There is little information on the nutrition of red-winged tinamous (Rhynchotus rufescens) reared in captivity, and their nutritional requirements still need to be determined. This study aimed at determining dietary crude protein requirements and testing four organic selenium supplementation levels in the diet of red-winged tinamous during the breeding season. Birds were housed in a conventional broiler house divided in 16 boxes with one male and three females each. Iso-energy (2800kcal ME/kg) pelleted feeds, based on corn and soybean meal, were supplied in tube feeders. In the first experiment, treatments consisted of four different diets containing different crude protein (CP) contents (15, 18, 21, or 24%) and in the second experiment, the four diets contained equal protein level (22.5%) and four different organic selenium levels (0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8ppm). Data were analyzed by the least square method. The best egg weight and eggshell thickness were obtained with 22.5% dietary CP. Organic selenium did not influence the studied reproductive traits of red-winged tinamous (Rhynchotus rufescens) males or female

Recommendations for empowering early career researchers to improve research culture and practice

Early career researchers (ECRs) are important stakeholders leading efforts to catalyze systemic change in research culture and practice. Here, we summarize the outputs from a virtual unconventional conference (unconference), which brought together 54 invited experts from 20 countries with extensive experience in ECR initiatives designed to improve the culture and practice of science. Together, we drafted 2 sets of recommendations for (1) ECRs directly involved in initiatives or activities to change research culture and practice; and (2) stakeholders who wish to support ECRs in these efforts. Importantly, these points apply to ECRs working to promote change on a systemic level, not only those improving aspects of their own work. In both sets of recommendations, we underline the importance of incentivizing and providing time and resources for systems-level science improvement activities, including ECRs in organizational decision-making processes, and working to dismantle structural barriers to participation for marginalized groups. We further highlight obstacles that ECRs face when working to promote reform, as well as proposed solutions and examples of current best practices. The abstract and recommendations for stakeholders are available in Dutch, German, Greek (abstract only), Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Serbian.Instituto de Patología VegetalFil: Kent, Brianne A. Simon Fraser University. Department of Psychology; CanadáFil: Holman, Constance. Universitätsmedizin Berlin. BIH QUEST Center for Responsible Research. Berlin Institute of Health at Charité; AlemaniaFil: Amoako, Emmanuella. Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health; GhanaFil: Amoako, Emmanuella. University of Cape Coast. School of Medicine. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health; GhanaFil: Antonietti, Alberto. Politecnico di Milano. Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering; ItaliaFil: Azam, James M. Stellenbosch University. DSI-NRF Center of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis. Department of Mathematics; SudáfricaFil: Ballhausen, Hanne. Universitätsmedizin Berlin. BIH QUEST Center for Responsible Research. Berlin Institute of Health at Charité; AlemaniaFil: Fil: Ballhausen, Hanne. Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Charité; AlemaniaFil: Bediako, Yaw . University of Ghana. West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens; GhanaFil: Belasen, Anat M. Cornell University. Society for Conservation Biology. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Carneiro, Clarissa F. D. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis; BrasilFil: Chung Chen, Yen. New York University. Department of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Debat, Humberto Julio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Debat, Humberto Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); ArgentinaFil: Weissgerber, Tracey L. Universitätsmedizin Berlin. BIH QUEST Center for Responsible Research. Berlin Institute of Health at Charité; Alemani